Another Enthusiast Shop Going Away

[Brando]

Well, this is sad news. Mark and Laura Hergesheimer are closing their doors on October 15th.

[look 171]

Brando, this saddens me, but the writing is on the wall for some of those shops, because many of the old p car folks are getting older and the younger p car buyers are far and fewer now. I know a few people are getting out of the game, but there are many new shops that are popping up everywhere. They are after the h20 cars but will do work on Aircool ones as well. The few air cool shops I know of that are from the old days are slammed with parking lot fulls of old Porsches.

[jwasbury]

Perhaps they wanted to retire? From my experience, there is no shortage of work for the very skilled shops that do race prep and track support. I do think there is a shortage of skilled labor though. As the experts are aging out, often there is no one who wants to take their place...which means the end of the business unfortunately.

[porsche tech]

I hired on at a Porsche dealer in 1970 and worked there for 42 consecutive years as a mechanic and eventually shop foreman. Enough is enough! My quote when I retired was "I wasn't going to touch another car except for the gas cap and the steering wheel"! Thankful and glad to be retired.

[racing97]

Its a shame they were and are great people!!!!

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by porsche tech

I hired on at a Porsche dealer in 1970 and worked there for 42 consecutive years as a mechanic and eventually shop foreman. Enough is enough! My quote when I retired was "I wasn't going to touch another car except for the gas cap and the steering wheel"! Thankful and glad to be retired.

You must have amassed an incredible wealth of Pcar knowledge in that time. I’ll bet you have stories to tell ,,,

[look 171]

Originally Posted by porsche tech

I hired on at a Porsche dealer in 1970 and worked there for 42 consecutive years as a mechanic and eventually shop foreman. Enough is enough! My quote when I retired was "I wasn't going to touch another car except for the gas cap and the steering wheel"! Thankful and glad to be retired.

A family friend was also hired from Downtown Porsche here in LA from the late 70s as a very young man. He's now their shop foreman or head mechanic. They fly him back east for training all the time. He still wrench on some cars for a small group of p car owners in his little shop where he stores a bunch of aircool 911s. He does have some interesting stories

[rattlsnak]

I think the land owner sold the property but are they closing shop, or moving to another location?

[Brando]

From Laura herself

This letter is to inform you that after 40 years in business,
Hergesheimer Motorsports will be closing operations on October 15, 2019. The owner of our building intends to sell all her properties in California and has requested us to vacate. This has come as a great surprise to us.

The decision to close down the business was not an easy one but with much thought and research we have decided this was the best path for us at this time. We have enjoyed the relationships with our many customers over the years.

We would like to thank all of our customers/friends that we have done business with over the past 40 years. Hergesheimer Motorsports could not have been as successful as it was without your loyalty and patronage. Thank you. We will remain part of the Porsche community.

We, along with our technicians, will provide assistance until the final date of operation, October 15. We will provide you with any updated news.

Sincerely,

Mark and Laura Hergesheimer

[look 171]

I feel bad for the mechanics. They are out of a job now and I am sure many have been with them for a long time.

[Cajundaddy]

HRG were one of the good guy shops and they will be missed. 40 years with no immediate successors probably makes closing the right thing to do. Best wishes for Mark and Laura!

I recently wound down my business after 40 years and am still adapting to the new reality but it was definitely time for me to go. I did pass the baton to a couple of entrepreneurs and they are continuing to service my clients, some of whom date back to the 70s. One chapter closes and another opens...

[eric523]

Thanks for the kind words. Indeed, the building is up for sale by the owner and we'll be moving a bulk of the equipment to AZ. Everyday service will cease, but the Porsche passion, Porsche racing and special projects will continue on. Current technicians will have no trouble finding work and have several great options to choose from. To be continued...

[Brando]

I'm definitely going to miss you guys. Especially the help when my Cayman had "weird" issues. Your help and knowledge on CIS when I threw up my hands and said "F### it!" on my '82 SC. Wish you all the best in your next venture!

Originally Posted by eric523

Thanks for the kind words. Indeed, the building is up for sale by the owner and we'll be moving a bulk of the equipment to AZ. Everyday service will cease, but the Porsche passion, Porsche racing and special projects will continue on. Current technicians will have no trouble finding work and have several great options to choose from. To be continued...

[tabs]

You can take the Porsche tech outa the garage but you can't get the smell of Castrol off of him...