Back in February 2024, I “liked” a man on a dating website while vacationing in Costa Rica. Ironically, he lived in Wakefield, RI, just ten minutes from my home in North Kingstown. We corresponded via text for two weeks before meeting in person on March 8th. We began to date and as time passed, I realized I’d found a diamond. I didn’t believe such a person existed; a person made for me. Our compatibility is off the charts on so many levels!
I also wasn’t aware that he owned a Porsche 911 twin turbo or that the car would eventually play a significant role in our life adventure together. Tom Thalmann purchased the new vehicle back in 2003 and as of November 2024 boasts more than 725,000 miles, all driven by Tom over the past 21 years.
Wherever we go, the car is a point of attention. Tom has been featured in Hagerty magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. Many people follow Tom’s social media, @T2996420, and know of his high mileage vehicle and goal to hit a million miles before returning it to Germany for a short stay in the Porsche Museum.
Over the summer, we vacationed in Cape May, NJ, with my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, and brother. Tom parked the infamous silver 911 Turbo on busy Perry Street in front of our AirBnB. As my mom and dad rocked on the front porch, they witnessed a man circling the car, taking pictures. Later, Tom saw those pictures posted on a social media website Rennlist, where there is 21-year-old thread about his high mileage Turbo. “Look what I found,” exclaimed the admirer.
One night we came out of Dave’s Market in Wickford, RI, to find a father and son admiring the vehicle. Tom offered for the young man to sit behind the wheel. This young man already knew all about Tom and his astoundingly high mileage Porsche.
Whether driving through a town or down the highway, we often receive long stares, a beep, or a thumbs up. Even young boys gawk. (As a non-car enthusiast, this is a tad perplexing.)
Tom is extremely modest and simply says, “Thank you”, when receiving compliments. He does not seek attention. However, he is also kind and willingly enthusiastic to engage, share his story and journey.
Upon leaving Cape May, we drove to the Great Smoky Mountains for a Porsche car event. This was the most serious car event I’d attended to date as I am new to this culture. Every morning, they’d get up for a 7am coffee run on The Dragon. Being a passenger on The Dragon, tag line, “Drive fast, don’t die”, was like being on the Wildcat rollercoaster at Rocky Point! I could only withstand two passes, the one into town and the one out, but Tom got up every morning for this epic, lifelong bucket list opportunity, driving some of the country’s most famous roadways!
In October, we drove to the Catskills for an organized Porsche event. Some events draw hundreds of cars, but this one was a smaller group of thirty. As we pulled into the Emerson, Tom appeared concerned, “Something feels off in the back.”
He examined the tire in the dark of night and although it looked okay, he knew something was wrong.
The next morning, I awoke to a cup of coffee he had quietly set on my nightstand. I peeked through the blinds and saw an entourage of men and women around Tom. They had removed the tire to look for the culprit, but to no avail. The tire was back in place and brought back to correct tire pressure, yet the people lingered. My heart swelled at the sight as friends and enthusiasts gathered around, I watched in wonder as Tom’s engaging personality expressed through his smile and arm gestures.
Due to Tom’s diligence and thoroughness, we didn’t miss a minute of that beautiful drive; some of the most incredibly spectacular sites of my lifetime.
It is the thrill of a lifetime to drive aggressively on backroads among an entourage of powerful, low-growling, breathtakingly gorgeous line of cars, and even more precious to be on this adventure with the man I so deeply love, as deeply as the racing seats I sink into, next to my person, who fits like a glove.
Tom plans to reach his millionth mile on Pike’s Peak in Colorado. This could be a handful of years away. “You better hurry up, Babe,” I tease, tongue in cheek.
Getting in and out of that car as I ease toward my mid-sixties will require continued yoga! I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather do!