In my last post, I hinted at how an online post led to the discovery of my late father’s 1957 Speedster, The Last 57. That story will have to wait because I've just made an incredible discovery that I want to share with the broader community.

I'm currently in Paris, preparing to see the Speedster tomorrow for the first time since it was stolen from our family garage in California in 1999. As I get ready for what I know will be an emotional reunion, especially on father's day weekend, I’ve been reading through old emails from my dad related to his Speedster.

And I found a gem.

My father was not only a passionate car enthusiast but also a talented graphic designer and a keeper of artifacts. This time, I unearthed a fascinating piece of his legacy: the original artwork for the 1974 IROC (International Race of Champions) poster.

Here’s an excerpt from an email he wrote dated December 23rd, 2020:

"My very first job was also my audition to even get the permanent job .... my boss was a big-deal illustrator who had just got the job to do a poster for a sports car race ...30 identical Porsches with 30 drivers from Europe, NASCAR, Indycar, etc. I was handed a small photo of the type of Porsche to be raced and was told that 'we have two weeks to finish this but you have only one week ...so he would have a week to do it over in case, in his words, I fucked up'. '... 'OK...show me what you've got kid'. He got paid $10,000...I got $150.00 and the job."

The inaugural IROC race took place at Riverside International Raceway in California in 1973, with the series extending into 1974. The race featured identical Porsche 911 Carrera RSRs driven by top drivers from different racing disciplines, creating a unique and highly competitive environment.

In my office at home, I have my father’s original black-and-white artwork for the IROC series poster at Riverside Raceway. It's a rare piece of history in and of itself, but it’s my understanding that very few of the original color posters still exist.

If you have one or know someone who does, it would mean the world to me to track one down and continue preserving the legacy and origin story of The Last 57.

This discovery adds another layer to the rich history of my father's connection to Porsche and design. Each artifact, each piece of the puzzle, brings us closer to fully understanding and celebrating the legacy of The Last 57.

Stay tuned for the next blog post where I’ll share the thrilling story of how an online post led to the rediscovery of The Last 57 Speedster.

I’m by no means an expert in Porsches, 356s, Speedsters, racing history, or anything of the sort. I’m trying to piece together the story and thereby preserve the legacy of this car. I hope to inspire passion in others and learn along the way. Follow along as this incredible story unfolds.

For further reading, references, and source images, see the links below:

• The IROC Porsches
• 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0 IROC
• Porsche Racing Posters