The MAAP team had the opportunity to attend the 70th Porsche Parade in Lake Placid, New York, an experience that brought together Porsche enthusiasts from across the country and gave our students the opportunity to see their work recognized on a national stage.
Among the incredible collection of cars at this year’s Parade were two Porsche 911s prepared by MAAP: a 1983 Porsche 911SC and a 1968 Porsche 911S Targa. Both cars received Gmund Gold awards, recognizing their near-flawless scores at the highest level of competition. These prestigious Level of Achievement awards are a testament to the exceptional quality of the students’ work and the care that went into preparing each vehicle. In addition, the 911SC earned a Gold class award, while the 911S Targa received a Silver class award.
But the awards only scratch the surface of what made the experience meaningful.
One of the most memorable parts of Parade was simply being surrounded by so much history. The evening banquet was held inside the historic Olympic Center, home of the famous 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” The setting offered a fitting reminder that the cars at Parade represent their own kind of history, one that continues to be preserved and passed from one generation to the next.
That connection between past and present came into focus even more when we received a remarkable photograph from the 1994 Porsche Parade. The aerial image, commissioned by Weldon Scrogham on the day of that year’s Concours, was taken from a plane flying over the field and later gifted to Concours Chairs Doug and Judy Hendrickson. Judy recently shared the photograph with PCA, noting that it remains one of her prized keepsakes.
The photo offers a fascinating glimpse into the 1994 Parade, particularly when viewed alongside the 2026 Concours. Judy recalled that only the racing and historic cars were staged on the oval that year. More than three decades later, the setting has changed, the technology has changed, and the cars have evolved, but the enthusiasm surrounding them remains remarkably familiar.
That sense of continuity was especially meaningful for our students, who found themselves becoming part of a Porsche tradition that has been evolving for generations. They had the opportunity to talk with Porsche owners, restorers, and enthusiasts who appreciated the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into the cars. They also had the chance to share some of the modern techniques being incorporated into our restoration work, including custom 3D-printed components.
For Julio Diez-Arguelles, our Engineering intern, one of the unexpected highlights was seeing how interested people were in the students behind the restorations.
“Winning Gold and Silver in two different classes was a huge achievement for the shop and made me really proud of both myself and the team. It was also especially rewarding to see how interested people were in our shop, particularly when they found out that we are college students working on these amazing projects.”
Julio also enjoyed showing enthusiasts how modern technology can complement the restoration of classic cars. “Being able to design and print custom parts made certain components much easier to replace or modify,” he explained, “and it was exciting to show how modern technology can be used alongside these classic cars.”
For Gabby Fontanilla, MAAP’s Industrial Design intern, the experience offered a different perspective. Rather than simply seeing Parade as a competition, she came away struck by the community that has developed around Porsche over generations.
“After attending my first Porsche Parade I was surprised to discover much more than just a conference and a competition. A community that had been quietly building itself for decades.”
Gabby spoke with people who had spent decades restoring, tracking, and enjoying their cars, as well as owners who traveled across the country to reunite with friends they see only once a year. One moment in particular stayed with her: hearing attendees stand and share how many Porsche Parades they had attended, culminating with one man celebrating his 60th Parade.
“As a designer, the whole event felt like living proof of why my work matters,” Gabby said. “Here were shapes drawn decades ago, by people long retired or no longer living, still turning heads, still worth the thousands of hours it takes to bring one back to life. Good design doesn’t just survive on its own, people keep it alive.”
For Luis Nieves, our Design Engineering Intern, the opportunity to connect directly with enthusiasts helped put the students’ work into perspective.
“My favorite part of the Porsche Parade Experience was connecting with enthusiasts who were genuinely interested in our cars and MAAP’s mission. Answering questions and presenting the solutions I’ve developed allowed me to see the real impact of my work.”
Luis said the experience went beyond the recognition the cars received, helping him think more intentionally about his future work. “Beyond the incredible achievement of earning both Silver and Gold Class finishes,” he said, “the experience helped refine my professional aspirations and gave me greater confidence to be intentional about the projects I pursue and the impact I want my work to have.”
For Max Mahemuti, one of our Workshop Engineering Interns, the scale of the event was part of the fun. Seeing classic and modern Porsches together and watching a small town become a gathering place for enthusiasts from across the country and Canada gave him a unique perspective on the reach of the Porsche community.
“I loved seeing all the Porsche enthusiasts come all the way out to New York from across the country, and even from Canada,” Max said. “It was such a cool experience seeing a small town getting taken over by all types of Porsches, with almost every parking spot filled by one.”
One of his most memorable discoveries was learning about the origins of the TraumWagen.
“One of the most memorable moments from the event for me was learning that the initial vision for the TraumWagen was designed and drawn on a napkin. Finding out that it was then built from the ground up made the story even more impressive and, honestly, pretty mind-blowing.”
For Ethan Okun, Parade provided an introduction that went far beyond what he expected. He arrived excited but somewhat unsure about how he would fit into a community with such a deep knowledge of Porsche history.
Those nerves quickly disappeared.
“From the moment I arrived, Lake Placid was filled with an incredible variety of Porsches,” Ethan said. “The tight mountain roads were scattered with nearly every model imaginable, from beautifully restored classics to completely custom builds. It was unlike anything I had experienced before.”
As Ethan spent time working at the table and around the detailing area, he began to understand what makes the Porsche community distinctive. He found that enthusiasts were not only proud of their own cars, but genuinely interested in hearing the stories behind other people’s cars as well.
“It became clear that you didn’t have to know every model number, option code, or technical detail to be part of the conversation,” he said. “A shared appreciation for the cars was enough to bring people together.”
That sense of community was particularly evident on Concours day. Even with cold and rainy conditions, the turnout and enthusiasm never seemed to fade. For Ethan, one of the weekend’s highlights was seeing how many people were interested in the TraumWagen and having the opportunity to share its story with longtime Porsche enthusiasts.
He arrived in Lake Placid unsure of what to expect from the Porsche community and left with a much clearer understanding of why the event means so much to its members.
“More than the cars themselves, it was the enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness of everyone to share their knowledge that stood out to me. For my first major Porsche event, I could not have asked for a better introduction to the community.”
The students’ experiences reflect much of what we value at MAAP. We are working to preserve automotive history while giving the next generation of technicians, engineers, and designers the opportunity to learn from it. At Parade, our students were not simply observers. They were contributors who were sharing their work, answering questions, demonstrating new techniques, and becoming part of a community that has been building and preserving Porsche history for generations.
The 70th Porsche Parade reminded us why these projects matter. A great restoration isn’t simply about bringing an old car back to life. It’s about developing the skills, craftsmanship, and appreciation needed to keep these cars and the knowledge surrounding them alive for the next generation.
We’re proud of our students, our supporters, and everyone who contributed to bringing these two cars to Lake Placid. The awards were wonderful recognition, but the experience itself was the real win.