Author: Randy Wells

“RUSH” PREMIERES

Had a chance to see Ron Howard’s “Rush” in a movie theatre last night and came away very impressed. It portrays the Formula 1 racing rivalry between Austrian Niki Lauda and Brit James Hunt leading to the climactic 1976 Driver’s Championship. Unlike previous motorsports films, it has an absolutely compelling story line and believable character development. It is also wonderfully cinematic in scope with great attention to period-correct details. Continue reading “”

PORSCHE 911: 50 YEARS AGO – UNVEILED TO THE PUBLIC

At the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1963 sat a prim-rose-colored coupe with seat centers trimmed in checked cloth. It was called the Porsche 901, a model that would later become the 911 after Peugot objected to the use of “0” as a middle digit. Thus the iconic 911 was born. Continue reading “”

GOATS HEAD SOUP

What a name for an album title… leave it to The Rolling Stones.

It was forty years ago that the band released this LP recorded at Kingston, Jamaica’s Dynamic Sound Studios. Keith Richards recalls, “Jamaica was one of the few places that would let us all in! By that time about the only country that I was allowed to exist in was Switzerland.” Mick Jagger says, “Songwriting and playing is a mood. Like the last album we did (Exile on Main St.) it was basically recorded in short concentrated periods.” Continue reading “”

EARLY 911S AND VINYL ARE HOT!

How did I happen to pick two passions 20 years ago that would become so popular today? I don’t know, but the modest acquisitions I made a decade or so ago have grown into a good chunk of my financial portfolio.

The important thing to me is that I use each as they were intended. I play my original ’60s first pressing UK vinyl on my turntable and drive my Porsche 1972 911S and 911T/ST enthusiastically on a regular basis. Those hobbies, my work and good health are all I could ask for. Of course, my wife is my greatest blessing – can’t put a number on that! Continue reading “”

FINDING TRUE VALUE IN A GT SPEEDSTER

I feel very fortunate to be a contributor for several automotive magazines. One benefit is working with great editors and car owners. Pete Stout and Greg Young are two who fit that descrption. I’ve come to know them, and they have enhanced my writing, photography and life. Congrats, guys, on your latest achievements.

Continue reading “”

CARRERA PANAMERICANA IN A PORSCHE 911

Excellence magazine has done it again in issue #213. They’ve profiled a Porsche owner who is a true enthusiast and racer. He is Walt Sikes, a competitor who chose the early 911 as his weapon of choice. Check out his pair of 1965 build 911s.

Here’s an excerpt from my article (Thanks Greg Brown and John Kirikos!): Continue reading “”

MORE PHOTOGRAPHY REMINISCING

Photography is learning to see life with your own eyes.

The key to developing as a photographer is being in the moment as much as possible. That requires you to be in touch with who you are, your viewpoint, and what you have to say – your inner voice. Then you need to get out of the way as much as possible.

Replace ego with empathy. Avoid forcing yourself on the subject, slow down and play in the moment. Make photography a walking meditation based on joy, not judging and labeling. Let the photograph come to you. Fall in love with the world and the idea of it letting the moment discover you, not the other way around. Continue reading “”