My kids always tell me their secrets on our car rides.
Swissvax: “Stefania, thank you for sharing more about yourself and your passion for design and cars. What car are you currently driving and why this one?”
Stefania: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my passion for classic cars. We drive a white 1978 Porsche 911 SC, which we bought in 2010 from my father-in-law before he passed away. It holds sentimental and historical value for us. This 911 was the first production year of the SC series and is powered by the original 3.0-liter flat-six engine with 180 horsepower. We've added the MOMO steering wheel and Carrera side stripes, which, in my opinion, highlight its classic character.
Recently, we also 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 sports seats, and 65,000 miles. The entire car is 100% original. We bought it from Denny Aker, a well-known Porsche collector. He had purchased it from the original owner and kept it in nearly new condition.
Swissvax: “Which is your favorite car from the collection?”
Stefania: I love all my cars! It depends on the mood I’m in that day. Recently, I’ve been really fond of the 930. I’ve never experienced a classic car like this. At first, I was intimidated by the turbo’s performance and the difference in the transmission compared to the 911, so I had to get used to it. But now I’m addicted to it.
Swissvax: “What is your relationship with your cars?”
Stefania: As long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for classic cars with manual transmissions. When I was 16, just a few months after I got my driver’s license, I convinced my parents to buy me a red 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 Convertible. I still remember speeding over the Golden Gate Bridge with my best friends, with our hair flying everywhere and singing “Tears for Fears” songs at the top of our lungs.
After college, one of my first jobs was in sales, where I pioneered the introduction of specialty coffee into all restaurants, hotels, airlines, and universities for Starbucks Coffee Company – I was one of the first 100 employees. I bought my first car, another red convertible, this time a Mazda Miata. Driving it with the top down from city to city made my workdays so much more enjoyable.
Now, when I slip into my old Porsche and hear the doors close, when I smell the classic interior, or when I hear the engine purr as I shift gears, I feel nostalgic. 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 bring me great satisfaction and a sense of freedom. When I drive my classics, it has an immense allure for me.
Swissvax: “What do you do for a living?”
Stefania: I am the Vice President of Sales and a partner in a successful beverage company called San Juan Seltzer, which we founded five years ago.
Swissvax: “How much time do you spend with your cars?”
Stefania: As much as I can.
Swissvax: “What car would you like to drive next and why?”
Stefania: I would love to experience 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 racetracks, improve my driving skills, and test the latest models to find out which car is suitable for both the track and the road.
Swissvax: “Do you occasionally argue with your husband about who gets to drive which car?”
Stefania: Our classic car collection is an area where we completely agree. We share the passion for old Porsches and our connection to them is magical. Before we go to our joint car meetings, events, or drives, my husband always asks me which car I’d like to drive, and no matter which one I choose, he’s happy to take the other. Sometimes, we secretly take a drive during the week without a particular destination, each in our own car. It’s so much fun sharing the road together and in sync, side by side.
Swissvax: “What has been your best moment or experience with your car so far?”
Stefania: My daughter inspired me to create @pnwporschegal, a website and Instagram account where we showcase 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 between the quiet moments, we share our life dreams and everyday stories. I cherish the connection we have and love working with her. Our collaboration led to another project where we design vintage clothing, and I can’t wait to introduce 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, with the top down and doors open. When we leave the city and drive into the mountains, we take in the whole scenery. Our Golden Retriever Moe sits between us, with his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth, as the fresh air blows through our faces and the sun shines down on us. We just drive and enjoy the quiet of the open landscape. There truly is no better place to be.
Swissvax: “You partly grew up in Italy – what was your childhood like?”
Stefania: I was born in Italy and lived there until I was 10 years old. In my family, it was common to speak both Italian and English in the same sentence. I remember my mom taking us on long drives to the coast in her white Fiat Cinquecento during the summers. Even though it was a tiny, three-door hatchback, all four kids could squeeze into it. It was cramped, but I kind of liked it. During the whole ride, my older sister would make us sing recurring, rhyming children’s songs, which undoubtedly drove our mom crazy. We stayed at the beach all day and swam in the beautiful blue water of the Tyrrhenian Sea. I fondly remember building sandcastles, grabbing a Gelato al Limone, and sitting under our big umbrella having the best homemade panini for lunch. Occasionally, I would sneak away from the family, set a paper plate on the ground, and sing and dance until I had earned enough money for the second gelato my mom didn’t want to buy.
Swissvax: “Are you a driver or a collector?”
Stefania: I’m definitely a driver. Many collectors never take their cars for a spin, but cars are meant to be driven, they need to express their kinetic energy. They are not just beautiful sculptures. I enjoy driving my cars. I appreciate their beauty, I love the feeling of the steering wheel and the aesthetics of the dashboard. I like all the sounds they make, especially the engine roaring. It’s a complete driving experience that I truly value.
Swissvax: “How do men in the classic car scene react to you?”
Stefania: My experiences have been positive. The reaction I get is usually a mix of shock and awe. I suspect that most men are not used to women driving classic cars with manual transmissions, especially in the United States. Nevertheless, my encounters have been positive, as most men who approach me simply want to learn more about our cars, which I’m happy to share. I 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 classic cars. I’ve found it so much fun, and I consider it a special place that I share with my husband and community.
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