911DAYS

The latest issue of 911DAYS 2018 AUTUMN Vol. 73 has just hit the shelves. This issue’s special feature is titled “Our Porsche Sports Cars: 70 Years of Falling in Love with Porsche.”

911DAYS Vol.73 (911デイズ Vol.73)

created by Rinker

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• 楽天市場

With a feature looking back at Porsche’s history, the issue is fascinating and a real pleasure to read. (In my previous blog post, I also wrote about a passage from the magazine in “Thoughts Inspired by Momoe Yamaguchi’s ‘Play Back Part 2’: ‘Don’t Make Fun of Me—You’re the One to Blame.’”)

As I flipped through the pages again, I realized I’d skipped an article near the beginning. Its title was:

“What Was the Porsche Scene in Japan Like from the 1950s to the 1960s?”

That sounds interesting. Then I read the first few lines—and was surprised!

To explore “Our Porsche Sports Cars: 70 Years,” we first need to know where Porsche’s story in Japan began. So we spoke with Masaru Okubo, founder and senior adviser of Showa Motors—the oldest Porsche authorized dealer still in operation in Japan, now operating Porsche Centers Nishinomiya and Sakai.

It turns out Showa Motors is the very dealer that has always looked after our family’s Porsche. And, wait a minute—it’s the oldest Porsche dealer still operating in Japan? I had no idea! (；ﾟДﾟ)!

So, since the story suddenly felt very personal, I decided to read on right away.

Porsche Arrives in Japan for the First Time in 1953

The first Porsches were imported into Japan in 1953. It all began when Sanwa Motors, which had signed an agreement to become Porsche’s official importer, brought in just two 356s.

Then, in 1955, ten 356 Pre-As were imported, three of them arriving in Osaka. Two were bought by a major corporation, leaving just one for a private buyer. Apparently, the individual who purchased that Porsche was someone with considerable social standing both before and after the war. (I wonder who it was!)

At the time, Mr. Okubo was working as a mechanic at Yanase Motors (now Yanase), and the company received a request to service that rare Porsche. With no service manual or other information available, he initially turned the job down—but eventually agreed to take it on.

The Porsches of that era had beautiful, handcrafted bodies, and their parts and engine sounds were unlike anything he had encountered in other cars. A car enthusiast, Mr. Okubo was instantly captivated. In 1959, he founded Showa Motors as a foreign-car repair shop. Later, he happened to spot an ad in the automotive magazine Car Graphic seeking applications from Porsche dealers. He applied immediately and became the first authorized Porsche dealer in Japan.

For context, a new 911 cost ¥4.35 million in 1965—equivalent to around ¥37 million today. Even more surprising, “almost everyone paid in cash.” Installment plans were only just becoming available, and even the longest term was 24 months. That meant monthly payments equivalent to about ¥1.5 million today—so you had to be exceptionally wealthy to buy one, and the dealer needed customers who truly understood what made a Porsche special.

Today, you can find a used Porsche and take delivery within a few weeks, or finance your purchase to keep the monthly payments manageable. For most models, even a new Porsche can be delivered within a year. But the world of Porsche ownership we enjoy today exists because the people who came before us paved the way from scratch.

When I think about it that way, it gives me a lot to reflect on.

Would They Hire Me?

Even back when I worked in sales, I was the kind of employee who wanted to understand the history and background behind every product and service.

“Why was this product created?” “What did its makers hope to achieve?” “What was the process of trial and error like?” “How did customers who experienced it at the time feel about it?” …

I hardly ever got the chance to share those details in presentations to customers. Still, knowing a product’s history and background made me feel I could sell it with more passion, carrying the thoughts and effort of everyone involved along with me. The more I learned, the better I sold. On the other hand, even after studying, I couldn’t sell a product that didn’t feel right to me. (I was never much suited to corporate life, haha.)

So whenever I say things like “I’ve been researching Porsche history” or “I heard Porsche is like this,” my husband says:

What’s with you—are you planning to become a Porsche salesperson? If a Porsche dealership is hiring, why not apply? Haha.

And I’m not exactly opposed to the idea. These days, I find myself saying:

“Yeah, maybe! You don’t see many women in sales at Porsche dealerships, so maybe that would make me stand out. I wonder if they’d hire me?”

And that’s where things stand today. (Haha.)

911DAYS Vol.73 (911デイズ Vol.73)

created by Rinker

• Amazon
• 楽天市場