In 1970, just a couple weeks after I was born, my dad was in what I researched to be a Cat 5 Tornado! He was driving a Porsche that he had restored. Here is his story in writing. My latest Photo series "Through the lens of legacy" is a tribute to his love of Porsches.
We lived in Denver then...
1970 Lubbock, Texas!
In Lubbock on business: Staying in the Wagon
Wheel motel. Awoke around 3-4 am, Strong
Strong Wind. I rushed to the Shelter near Stinging
Swimming Pool, got in a Pit w/Chlorine Tank, Just
as the Motel was hit by a Major Tornado. the motel
was Completely Destroyed as was a Porsche
Cabriolet Conv. I had recently restored &driven
down from Denver; We escaped to downtown hotel
courtesy of a Texan in a Cadillac offering rides
to the Survivors after the Storm
Passed. — The Porsche! I found it under
the office roof the next morning, crushed but
breathing w/help of a Texan w/ Large Wrecker,
got the car out of the Rubble. & windshield torn
off, Top Torn off, Not a single spot
on the Car un-damaged, Car full of Rubble
I was able to sufficiently repair the
Car & drove it back home to Denver.
The Storm in Lubbock was so Strong it
Completely destroyed a 16 16-floor bank building
1 mile from me: for Several years hence
A breeze at night would wake me up
Shaking; in a cold Sweat
The Car was a total Loss: I salvaged the
engine & Trans, and later used them in a
1955 Porsche Split Window Coupe
