David DiFrancesco is an avid Bay Area vintage car collector who visited the Porsche factory in 1969 and offered the use of his slides for the RGruppe website.

An Academy Award winner for Scientific and Engineering Achievement, the Director of Photo Science at Pixar Animation Studios, previous 356 and 911S owner, and current vintage car owner, he was traveling through Europe in 1969 on his Norton Commando when he decided to stop by the Porsche factory unannounced.

After some scrambling by the marketing 'department', which was really just Huschke von Hanstein and a few other employees, he was given a tour of the factory. While waiting at the front gate, a white 911 racing car with obvious rally accessories came out for a test drive (see right). If you've watched the 1973 Porsche marketing film (now on DVD through some RGruppe members), you'll noticed just how things were done back then, by hand, with patience, and attention to detail. It's no wonder we all love these early cars.

Thank you very much, David for giving the RGruppe access to these amazing slides. I just hope I scanned them well . . . no pressure.

All photos Copyright © 2003 David DiFrancesco