Concours: The Pride of The Ingram Collection is set to make its Hilton Head debut

All eyes on ‘El Tigre’

Story by Leslie T. Snadowsky + Photos provided by The Ingram Collection

As a fleet of rare, vintage and collector cars roars into Hilton Head for the 2024 Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival (Oct. 31 – Nov. 3), one vehicle is sure to grab attention: the long-nose, short-tail 1967 Porsche 906E “El Tigre,” courtesy of the Ingram Collection.

“Our ‘El Tigre’ has a black and bright yellow tape livery that looks like tiger stripes,” says Rory Ingram. “It was an important model in the Porsche race lineage, and we’re proud to be its caretakers. My brother, Cam, actually raced it at the Rennsport Reunion 7 at Monterey. It’s a pretty special car.”

El Tigre Porsche — After suffering damage at Daytona, this Porsche 906E underwent extensive restoration and modifications, including the creative addition of yellow and black electrical tape to form its iconic tiger-stripe livery. Dubbed “El Tigre” and driven by its owner, Armando Capriles, the car went on to capture the Bolivian Championship in 1967. In 1969 “El Tigre” roared back to competition at the 12 Hours of Sebring, finishing 10th overall and securing third place in the two-liter prototype class.

Rory and Cam Ingram, guardians of the Ingram Collection in Durham, North Carolina, oversee a priceless collection of Porsches originally started by their late father, Bob Ingram. Bob’s passion for Porsche ignited in the 1970s after a ride in a Porsche 911 S. Coming from humble beginnings, Bob eventually climbed the corporate ranks to become the CEO of GlaxoSmithKline and a venture capitalist, allowing him to realize his Porsche dreams in the 1990s.

“My dad got his first Porsche at 50 and never imagined owning two, let alone becoming a prominent collector,” Rory recalls. “You go through phases — from a hoarder to a collector, then to a connoisseur. The relationships you develop with each car, which was someone’s cherished possession for decades, make it feel like an adoption process.”

As the family’s Porsche collection grew, Bob and his wife, Jeanie, generously shared their cars at events and charity functions. Now Rory and Cam continue to honor their father’s legacy by showcasing the collection.

Rory keeps quiet about how many cars are in the Ingram Collection or its value, emphasizing that “quality, not quantity,” is their guiding principle. Among their prized possessions are original 356 models, all eight generations of 911s and numerous competition cars. Bob used to say, “The cars are the stars, but the people are what matter most,” a sentiment Rory carries forward by sharing the stories behind each car’s racing and ownership history.

“There were people who owned these cars before us, and there will be others after us,” Rory says. “Porsche is an iconic brand, probably the most widely raced in the world. It’s always been about performance, and that attracts people who value those things.”

In addition to managing the Ingram Collection, Rory runs the Ingram Driving Experience at Virginia International Raceway, offering private racing events, curated experiences and expert coaching.

“We have a fleet of GT4 Clubsports for rent, and we take out cars from our collection,” Rory explains. “We host small groups and corporate retreats, with special guests from the Porsche world. It’s a unique setting where professionals and novices can come together.”

Cam Ingram, a Porsche race car driver, has competed in prestigious events like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and is the founder of Road Scholars, a Porsche sales, service, and restoration shop. His team brings the Ingram Collection’s vintage cars to shows around the world, including Pebble Beach and Amelia Island.

Despite its museum-quality curation, the Ingram family actively drives and shows their cars for maximum enjoyment, ensuring the collection remains intact for future generations. “My dad never liked to keep a ‘ship in a bottle,’” Rory adds.

As Porsche celebrates its 76th anniversary, the Ingrams’ focus has shifted toward GT models. “We’re very GT-focused right now — especially the GT3s and GT2s. We’re missing a couple of production cars, and if they come around with the right specs, we’ll be interested,” Rory says. He’s also on the hunt for the elusive limited-production 911 GT1 Strassenversion (street version) to add to their collection.

“We’re really excited to participate in the 2024 Hilton Head Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance,” Rory says. “At these shows, you always meet friends and make new ones. We’re looking forward to sharing ‘El Tigre’ with fellow aficionados.”