MORPCA History
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MORPCA

The Porsche Club of America is a sports car club – a Marque club – and is, in fact, the largest single Marque club in the world! Since our modest beginning in 1955 (only a few years after the Porsche was introduced), we have grown to many thousands of active members located throughout the United States. Each local unit of the club is called a region and there are 167 such regions as this is written.

The Mid-Ohio Region was formed on February 18, 1966, as a successor to the then defunct Columbus Region. More and more Porsches and would-be Porsche Pushers were appearing in this area and apparently much was to be gained from an active region. Informal gatherings were held at Pete and Emmy Dunkle’s house and the University Club hosted the formal meeting on the above date. When a petition was sent to National, it contained the names of 17 prospective members and the hopes of the rest of us. Our charter was approved and some of the original group are still active.

Original officers were: Jack Chance, President; Jim Graham, Activities Director; Emmy Dunkle, Secretary; and Parker Garwick, Treasurer. Back then, the club was supposed to concentrate on social and technical activities, and monthly meetings when possible. A newsletter, Die Offene Strasse (The Open Road), would be published frequently. Today, our region still represents a diverse assemblage of Porsche Pushers who share a common interest in the mystique of Porsche automobiles.

On April 29, 2006 our Club celebrated its’ 40th anniversary with a social gathering at the Bryn Du Mansion in Granville. In attendance from the original membership were Jack Chance, Jim Perrin and Jim Graham. The event drew over 150 members who were delighted to meet our founders and listen to them talk about “the good old days” of Porsche ownership in the 1960’s and of the events surrounding the Clubs’ formation. Our Historian Ted Zombek discussed the evolution of the Mid-Ohio Region over the past 40 years, and our PCA Zone 4 representative Roy Wilkinson presented the Club with an official 40-Year Banner. A memorable time was had by all.


Updated: 10/19/2007

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