5-18-25

CHUCK MILLER R.I.P.
By Randy Wells

To my Porsche friends and others who knew Chuck Miller, like you, I am reeling from the shock of the tragic news of yesterday. Chuck was one of my dearest friends, and knowing that he left with his boots on, doing what he most loved, driving his 911, it brings a tiny bit of solace to my heart.

Long a fixture in the early 911 and historic sports car community, Chuck and his metallic blue ’73 S exemplified enthusiastic Porsche ownership for many. To him, it was just as important to become a better driver of your car as it was to learn everything you can about the machine in order to maintain its appearance and functionality.

It was at the Monterey Historics in the summer of 1998 where I first met Chuck in a hotel parking lot. I actually saw his 911 first, which is the same model and color as my own. His car looked fantastic, and when Chuck approached me, I found him to be both cordial and informative – an impression that was reinforced with each subsequent meeting.

Twenty-seven year later we remained fast friends. The memories I have of Chuck are too numerous to count. We shared many a fun run chasing each through the canyons of Mulholland with the obligatory bench racing session later. I can attest through it all that he had a fundamental wisdom and thoughtful consistency that endures over time.

I can also tell you that under that soft shell was a steely desire to win. Chuck was ferocious at the track. He time-trialed his 1973 metallic blue Porsche 911 S around 50 times at Streets of Willow and received numerous first in class trophies. He averaged 5,000 miles a year in his ’73S, which he bought in 1974 with a real ducktail and RS flares already on it. The 911 S came with leather sport seats and with the over 150,000 miles he put on that car, they look well-lived in. His garage was always a great place to visit. With the walls covered with memorabilia and photos thoughtfully displayed, there was no lack of conversation pieces.

Some here may not know that Chuck started racing Mullholland early on in a VW Beetle and an Alfa early on. Once he goy a ride in a early 911 driven in anger, he was hooked. He started working working at Disney in the ‘90s, where he became a lead Imagineer designing new parks. He did that until recently when he retired to enjoy his car hobby more.
Chuck was a member of the PCA and Porsche Owners Club and joined the Early 911S Registry in 1994. There, he designed their logo and spread the early 911 gospel on the internet, including the Early 911S Registry forum, which he would come to moderate. He joined the R Gruppe within the first year and dedicated time to helping with fun run routes and design work. Amazingly, he attended virtually every R Gruppe Treffen and every Sports Purpose Track day.

Chuck became one of my very few very good friends. Whenever I was in the area I would always call, and sometimes we would have an Italian dinner together at his favorite restaurant.

When I sat down with Chuck recently to share some laughs, the conversation suddenly became quiet when I asked him about the spirited friendships he had cultivated with like-minded enthusiasts over the years. His answer confirmed what he valued above everything else. I remember him saying this: “Only a few have really known the joy and pleasure I’ve had driving, competing, and showing this old car of mine. And with it has come the opportunity to share this passion with some of the best people I’ve ever met.”

Chuck, wherever you are, know that we all miss you dearly and you will be cherished for the memories we made together for a long time to come.

Godspeed to you, my friend. See you down the road.