My children always tell me their secrets on our car rides.
Swissvax: "Stefania, thank you for telling us more about yourself and your passion for design and cars. What kind of car are you currently driving and why this one?"
Stefania: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my passion for vintage cars. We drive a white 1978 Porsche 911 SC that we bought from my father-in-law in 2010 before he passed away. It has a sentimental and historical meaning for us. This 911 was the first year of production of the SC series and is powered by the original 3.0-liter boxer engine with 180 hp. We have fitted the MOMO steering wheel and the Carrera side stripe, which I think underlines its classic character.
We also recently acquired a 1986 Porsche 930 Turbo in Guards Red. It was one of the first production 930s reintroduced in the United States with an emissions-controlled engine. It has a 3.3-liter turbo engine, 282 horsepower, black sport seats, and 65,000 miles. The entire car is 100 percent original. We purchased it from Denny Aker, a well-known Porsche collector. He had purchased it from the original owner and preserved it in mint condition.
Swissvax: "What is your favorite car from the collection?"
Stefania: I love all my cars! It depends on the mood I'm in that day. Lately I've been really into the 930. I've never experienced a classic car like it. At first I was intimidated by the power of the Turbo and the difference in the gearbox compared to the 911, so it took me a while to get used to it. But now I'm addicted.
Swissvax: "What is your relationship with your cars?"
Stefania: I have had a passion for vintage manual cars for as long as I can remember. At the age of 16, just months after getting my driver's license, I convinced my parents to buy me a red 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 convertible. I still remember racing across the Golden Gate Bridge with my best friends, hair flying everywhere, all singing "Tears for Fears" songs at the top of our lungs.
After college, one of my first jobs was working in sales for Starbucks Coffee Company, pioneering the introduction of specialty coffee into all restaurants, hotels, airlines and universities - I was one of the first 100 employees. I bought my first car, another red convertible, this time a Mazda Miata. Driving from one city to another to my appointments with the top down made my workday so much more enjoyable.
Now when I get into my old Porsche and hear the old doors close, when I smell the classic smell of the interior or when I hear the engine humming as I put it into gear, I am overcome with nostalgia. I have great respect for my cars. I honor them and enjoy the responsibility of preserving the technology and design of a bygone era. In return, my cars give me great satisfaction and a feeling of freedom. When I drive my vintage cars, it has a huge appeal for me.
Swissvax: "What do you do for a living?"
Stefania: I am Vice President of Sales and partner in a successful beverage company called San Juan Seltzer that we founded five years ago.
Swissvax: "How much time do you spend with your cars?"
Stefania: As much as I can.
Swissvax: "Which car would you still like to drive and why?"
Stefania: I would like to get to know all Porsche generations: the early 911s, the 912 and of course the 356.
Swissvax: "How do you decide which car to buy next?"
Stefania: I plan to explore the Porsche race tracks, improve my driving skills and test the latest models to find out which car is right for me both on the track and on the road.
Swissvax: "Do you sometimes argue with your husband about who is allowed to drive which car?"
Stefania: Our vintage car collection is one area where we completely agree. We share a passion for old Porsches and our connection with them is magical. Before we go to our joint car meets, events or drives, my husband always asks me which car I would like to drive and no matter which one I choose, he is happy to take the other one. Sometimes during the week we secretly go for an evening drive, with no particular destination in mind, each in his own car. It is so much fun to share the road together and in sync, side by side.
Swissvax: "What is your best moment or experience with your car so far?"
Stefania: My daughter inspired me to start @pnwporschegal , a website and Instagram account showcasing our Porsches, and it's been so much fun creating content together. She's an artist/illustrator and enjoys photography. We look forward to our shoots where we explore new locations in the Pacific Northwest to film scenes with our fun old sports cars. In the quiet moments in between, we share our life dreams and our everyday stories. I cherish this connection we have and I love working with her. Our collaboration has led to another project designing vintage clothing and I can't wait to launch it.
Swissvax: "What do you personally associate with Care for your Dream?"
Stefania: I live in the Pacific Northwest during the summer, so I associate "Care for my Dream" with weekend trips with my husband in our cinnamon-colored 1984 CJ7 Jeep, top down and doors open. When we leave the city and drive into the mountains, we take in the scenery. Our golden retriever, Moe, sits between us, his tongue dangling out the side of his mouth as the fresh air blows around our noses and the sun beams down on us. We drive along, enjoying the quiet of the wide open landscape. There is truly no better place to be.
Swissvax: "You grew up partly in Italy - how should we imagine your childhood?"
Stefania: I was born in Italy and lived there until I was 10 years old. In my family it was common to speak Italian and English in the same sentence. I remember my mother taking us on long drives to the coast in her white Fiat Cinquecento in the summers. Even though it was a tiny three-door hatchback, the four of us kids could squeeze in. It was tight, but I kind of liked it. During the whole drive, my older sister made us sing repetitive rhyming nursery rhymes, which no doubt drove our mamma crazy. We stayed at the beach all day, swimming in the beautiful blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. I fondly remember building sandcastles, getting gelato al limone and sitting under our big parasol eating the best homemade panini for lunch. Occasionally I would sneak away from the family, put a paper plate on the floor, and sing and dance until I earned enough money for the second gelato my mother wouldn't buy.
Swissvax: "Are you a driver or a collector?"
Stefania: I am definitely a driver. Many collectors never take their cars for a spin, but cars are there to be driven, to release their kinetic energy. They are not just beautiful sculptures. I like to drive my cars. I enjoy their beauty, I like the feel of the steering wheel and the aesthetics of the dashboard. I like all the sounds they make, especially the revving engine. It is a complete driving experience that I really appreciate.
Swissvax: "How do the men in the classic car scene react to you?"
Stefania: My experiences are positive. The reaction I get is usually a mix of shock and awe. I suspect that most men are not used to women driving manual transmission vintage cars, especially in the United States. Despite this, my encounters are positive because most of the men who approach me simply want to learn more about our cars, which I love to do. I can understand that this male-dominated sector can be intimidating, but I hope to inspire more women to join the community, feel comfortable in this space, and be open to learning about the wonderful world of vintage cars. I have found it to be so much fun, and I consider it a special place that I share with my husband and my community.
