Porsche Driving with Michelle Hambly-Grobler
Coffee with a National Barista Champion
March 28, 2017
Whale watching with a marine biologist
September 13, 2017For true car enthusiasts we bring you Michelle Hambly-Grobler, a lover and collector of classic cars that she stores at Cape Town’s Crossley Webb showroom, and who holds the title of Porsche Personality of 2015.
Michelle’s first motoring memory is of her father doing an oil change on his faithful Ford and her taking a paintbrush, dipping it in the oil and painting the garage wall. From that point, her love for cars grew to define her future.
Her first Porsche experience involved the ex-Formula 1 racer Jochen Mass who was a family friend and owned a Porsche 964. He took Michelle for a drive that she’ll never forget, and with that her passion was fuelled. A further spark came from good friend Ali Kemali who owns a stunning 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS in Viper Green and invited her for a drive, which was a point of no return for her.
After a visit to the Porsche factory to learn about the dedication, care and love of the production team her interest in Porsche ascended to a new level.
Michelle has been smart in assembling her collection. Most of her Porsche have dramatically risen in value and provide her with better returns than conventional investments, as well as much happiness. Closest to her heart is the Porsche 993 Turbo in Arena red, as that’s the one she chased the hardest.
Another favourite is her white Porsche 911 T, which was the first Porsche that she bought and is the foundation of the collection.
Michelle doesn’t only collect Porsches though and has assembled other classic cars that brought back cherished childhood memories, including a 1965 Ford Fairlane 500, a Karmann Ghia and a 1954 Citroën Traction Avant.
For her the dream collection is still not complete, yet that doesn’t mean she’s any less appreciative of the classic beauties she’s now lucky enough to call her own.
