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Thread: California fires...massive loss @ BENTON performance

  1. #1
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    California fires...massive loss @ BENTON performance

    I was devastated to read this, over on Facebook and Instagram.....seems now is the time for the community to support John and our family at Benton Performance......I have no doubt they will rebuild, bigger, better and stronger than ever, but the impact to our community is massive

    ........

    "


    Dear Friends, Clients, and Porsche Community, late Wednesday, October 30th, Benton Performance and the Benton family experienced a devasting event when a neighboring facility caught on fire and this industrial fire spread rapidly to our buildings. Anaheim Fire Department responded swiftly, saving our main shop and offices. However, our warehouse and its contents were destroyed. Among the client and personal belongings lost were irreplaceable cars, matching number drivetrains, tools, and Porsche memorabilia collected over a lifetime.

    As I stand in front of the burned-out warehouse, I can't help feeling the shock and pain of a lifetime of work gone up in flames, but I am so thankful that no one was hurt. I am so thankful for friends, clients and members of the Porsche community who reached out and who continue to call and text with well wishes, prayers, and offers of assistance. It is at these times that I am reminded of how truly grateful I am for all of you. Your encouragement gives me the strength and determination to walk into my business on this daunting Monday morning with the energy to rebuild.

    And so, the process of working with insurance companies and starting the huge undertaking of re-building begins. I am also happy to report that we are still open for business and are doing everything we can to serve the Porsche community that we hold so dear.

    Benton Performance was established in 1986 and this fire is not going to stop my 33 years of dedicated effort. I am focused on rebuilding to be better and stronger for the next 30 years and beyond.




    All additional inquires can be directed to John Benton at john@bentonperformance.com


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    looking for 1972 911t motor XR584, S/N 6121622

  2. #2
    Moderator Chuck Miller's Avatar
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    Bad loss !!!

    Good thoughts and strength to John and staff...
    Chuck Miller
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  3. #3
    Wow, that's horrible.

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  4. #4
    Senior Member larwik's Avatar
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    This is Horrible, Scary and Sad...all the best to John and the crew.../ Lars...
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  5. #5
    I hope they will soon be back on track!
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  6. #6
    Senior Member VintageExcellen's Avatar
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    This is terrible, as if the high cost and difficultly of running a shop in California wasn’t enough. Some one else’s shop burns and takes your dreams with it. Good thing is John has built a great shop, lots of clients and has lots of help so I am sure they will be back bigger and better. Hope the insurance covers everything including the down time.

    2 years ago I was in South East Asia on a job when I got a message from my mother.... “I hope your shop is ok in the wildfires”, WHAT!? I turned on the news and saw the horse training facility 1 mile from my shop was releasing horses so they wouldn’t burn in the barn. Ahhhhhhhhh!!! The feeling was insane watching my neighbors burn on the news while I am 7000 miles away. Luckily the winds going the other way and only came within a mile of my shop full of rare irreplaceable porsche parts.

    Fire is one of those things that can take everything in a minute. I feel terribly sorry for the loss of all the good stuff that was in John’s building and the frustration he must be going through.
    Last edited by VintageExcellen; 11-05-2019 at 05:23 PM.

  7. #7
    Senior Member 911T1971's Avatar
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    Terrible news, cant imagine what it means to deal. Good hopes to rebuilt.
    Registry member No.773

  8. #8
    Senior Member StephenAcworth's Avatar
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    Best wishes to John and all his staff as they work to rebuild their shop and facilities...
    1966 911 Coupe - Slate Grey - 304598 - still in restoration!

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  9. #9
    Chatted with John last night ... he's surprisingly upbeat considering the circumstances. Obviously he's devastated, but his comment to me was that his primary concern is that his people and clients are taken care of. He's facing forward rather than looking back which is truly the best thing at this point.
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  10. #10
    This wasn't during the current round of fires but a couple of years ago, Victor Miles was packing up to leave, the fire did not reach the house.
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