More Than a Book: Checkeditout Chicago
Yesterday was, by more than one account, a triumph. The last six months have been strewn with uncertainty and, as car enthusiasts in the Midwest, it has been disheartening to hamper an already truncated car “season”. But by and large, we’ve seen our car community embrace this responsibility toward recovery, all while managing to find ways to make us feel closer together even when we couldn’t be.
Community is the key word here. Truthfully, that that’s how Checkeditout, even before the meet (or the book), even came to fruition. But it was yesterday, after months of diligent work to compile and curate a bound homage to one of Chicago’s great Porsche convergences, that we were all able to relive those moments together again.
New 18" BBS E88 Wheel Set + Future Classic 7mm Spacers
Future Classic Porsche custom club cling
Future Classic Motor Club Plate Frame
I was especially eager to jump in the car yesterday morning, not only because my photographs helped fill the pages of the book, but because it was the first time I really felt it was “okay” to congregate with others. My eagerness got the best of me—I arrived on location almost an hour early, leaving me idle to take in the pleasant sights and sounds of the forest preserve springing to life and an opportunity to snap some new photos of my 997 in its latest form.
Nevertheless, I was soon greeted by a familiar aircooled soundtrack and a familiar face (@4frcars) who told me two things: 1.) we were likely parked in the wrong place and 2.) what it really meant when you backed into a parking spot at a forest preserve. With that newfound knowledge in mind, I started my car and followed Steve’s 550 Spyder towards a larger group of congregates who were equally as confused as to where we were supposed to meet. COVID has apparently left us a bit rusty.
After some failed sleuthing through social media, we thankfully received a good old-fashioned phone call that guided us a half mile down the road. As unceremonious as that sounds, the short trek brought a smile to my face—it just felt so good to be driving alongside other enthusiasts again.
Anyway, we arrived soon after, Adam’s (President of Checkeditout Chicago) Blue 996 in clear view with its frunk propped and a stack of books peeking from the Carrera’s confines ready for pickup. Most of us had pre-ordered the book and, almost instinctually, lined up like little kids outside an ice cream truck, eager to get our hands on the long-anticipated pages.
Before COVID, I probably would’ve ripped the packaging open and started thumbing through the book, but instead, I opted to stow mine away in favor of meeting new people and just enjoying the get together. It was cool to see other owners doing the same thing—many putting them aside on passenger seats, some cradling the book in arms. Sure, we were there because of cars, but we stayed because of the people.
Chauvinist horsepower talks were happily absent and replaced by an overarching appreciation for the 70+ year old marque. There was an aura there that I’ve really come to appreciate amongst Porsche enthusiasts, whether at the track or over Sunday morning coffee: despite our differences, whether we're driving air-cooled or water-cooled, all original or modified, weekend warriors or daily drivers, we have all managed to cast aside the things that could otherwise divide us in appreciation of things that unify us.
I’ve said this time and time again: if you’re looking to restore your faith in humanity, look at the car community. Amidst everything that’s going on, witnessing these bright spots of collaboration, trust, and positivity is something we could all use right now. I know I left the meet with much more than a book; I drove away with a reminder of just how lucky we are to share these moments, now and into the future unknown.
Grab your copy of the book here before they're all gone!