The Cars That Drive Us: Vin Anatra's Dream Porsche and His Forever Ferrari
For Vin Anatra, cars have always been about chasing experiences.
From dream cars once thought unattainable to unforgettable road trips and automotive adventures, every vehicle in his collection represents a different chapter in his journey as an enthusiast.
How many cars do you have in your collection?
Right now, I have five personal cars and a few for business, for a total of eight!
What is your favorite car in your collection and why?
My favorite car in my collection is my 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS because it was the dream car I never thought I'd have the opportunity to own. Growing up, it was one of those cars that felt completely out of reach. It's everything I love about driving: lightweight, engaging, raw and focused. Every time I get behind the wheel, it reminds me why I fell in love with cars in the first place.
That said, the car that means the most to me is my 1999 Ferrari 360. I've created more memories with that car than almost any other vehicle I've owned. It's been part of road trips, adventures, content projects and milestones throughout my life. It's a car I have a genuine emotional connection with, and one that I’ll never sell.
What’s your most memorable drive in that car?
The most memorable drive I had in the Ferrari 360 should be my initial drive home, as owning a Ferrari never seemed like something that was possible for me. However, over the years, I have pushed myself not to be the average Ferrari owner who keeps the miles low and in pampered collections. I have made so many incredible memories with this old 360 Modena.
I think the most memorable trip I have had in that car was when I drove it from California to Colorado and up to the top of Pikes Peak! It was Summer 2024, and a 1,400-mile drive through some really harsh, hot deserts. I was a bit nervous, but the Ferrari didn't skip a beat. I drove from Los Angeles to Vegas for a breakfast stop and then all the way to Grand Junction, Colorado... all in one day and in Recaro bucket seats as well! The next morning, we woke up and drove to Colorado Springs and then up to the top of Pikes Peak. I will never forget the amazing views and how slow the car felt at over 10,000 feet.
Aside from the road trip, getting to do a commercial with Pennzoil was an amazing experience, the kind I never could have imagined. Chasing the camera car for Pennzoil’s Long May We Drive commercial shoot was insane. The camera arm was so long that it was over my car as we ripped down beautiful canyon roads.
What does “keeping a car for the long run” mean to you?
I chase the experience of every car I've ever dreamt about, so I buy and sell cars often. For me, keeping a car for the long run doesn't necessarily mean owning it forever. It means fully experiencing it, appreciating what makes it special, and taking care of it while it's part of your life, then passing the torch to the next steward to continue its life of packing on miles and memories.
Every car I own or have owned feels special, and whether it is with the next owner or me, I want these cars to continue providing the experiences they were intended to.
Cars need love. But it's not the emotional connection that will keep them on the road. I always preach that part of ownership is taking pride in the things you worked hard for. It's the simple things, like keeping it clean and doing basic maintenance, that can prolong the life of the car you worked hard to get or are proud of owning. I trust Pennzoil to keep my engines protected. It's one less thing to worry about.
That said, every once in a while, a car becomes more than just another experience. It becomes tied to specific memories, people and moments in your life. Those are the cars that are hardest to let go of, and sometimes they become the ones that stay with you for good.
