MONOCHROMATIC

Monochromatic

Cedric De Roover’s car of choice for taking on the best of Europe’s great road trips.

“I have no regrets about changing to this car, it’s always a real pleasure to drive it, so exotic compared to today’s cars with its direct mechanical controls.”

Cedric De Roover made the switch to his 1972 Porsche 911 twelve years ago and has been everywhere in it since. His driving career started out on the karting circuit, followed soon after by his first Porsche, a 3.2 Carrera from the late 1980s. That car saw years of track use before Cedric made the unorthodox decision not to upgrade to a faster model but instead to what we see here. For many years now, it’s been the ’72 car with its humble 2.4 litre flat 6 that has seen Cedric through thousands of miles of European back roads.

“Today, I no longer seek the sensation of speed. When I bought this car I wanted to experiment with something else, to have an older model that could someday become a real classic car. When I saw this in silver with its Recaro pepita seats and sunroof, I didn’t hesitate a second. The only think I miss about the 3.2 was its highway performance, driving the 2.4 in those conditions can be quite tiring.

It’s never had a full restoration, I drove it for several years in the condition it was, making just a few adjustments to the engine. About ten years ago the air filter caught fire in the parking lot of the Goodwood Revival and I had to return to Belgium without a filter. It didn’t run well but it made it home by road as it always does.

Finally I refreshed the suspension and brakes in 2019 which gave me the confidence to go on the big trip to the south of France in 2020. It was a great adventure, 3 days to go down and 3 days to go up, all avoiding motorways. A big highlight was the coastal road between Toulon and Saint Tropez, the colours were so beautiful. I bought a few crates of Chateau Minuty there which made the return journey in the back seat. Another highlight was the Noyer pass in the Alps. The end of the climb is a succession of very steep switchbacks. There was no one else there, just the metallic sound of the Porsche reflected against the rock face - magical. It’s a car that has seen quite a few landscapes.”

Today, I no longer seek the sensation of speed. When I bought this car I wanted to experiment with something else, to have an older model that could someday become a real classic car.

Besides the vehicle of choice to carry Cedric all over Europe’s classic car scene, his silver 911 has also been the muse for his photographic efforts, which he produces exclusively in monochrome, a style directly influenced by the car’s very Germanic specification.

“Maybe if I’d had a Porsche in a brighter colour, like green or blue, the story would’ve been different. Whenever I’d post photos of the car, I always found it looked best in black and white, so my entire style eventually turned over to that format. Today I shoot entirely with a Leica Q2 Monochrom, which fits perfectly to what I want.”

Square format, black and white, air cooled Porsches. Cedric has driven thousands of miles to reproduce his specific style and if you’re at any of Europe’s more notable annual Porsche gatherings, chances are you’ll see him there.

“The car is incredibly reliable in view of its age, she always brings me back home even if with minor troubles. I really like going to events like Le Mans Classic or the Revival, the French and English countrysides are so beautiful, especially with the way the concentration of older cars increases the closer you get to these events.

Last winter I discovered Austria during the GP Ice Race. The landscape was beautiful, so different from the French Alps. If I could go anywhere tomorrow I’d cross the Alps from West to East, through Switzerland. I’d love to shoot the car under the @porsche.museum or the building it was built in on the return journey to Belgium. I also want to do Scotland one day, or Lapland in the snow.”