Selina Skramovsky – Likes to take care of air-cooled units
Apart from Porsche, I am also a big BMW fan.
Swissvax: “Selina, thank you very much for taking the time to give us some insight. You are quite a young mechanic. Was it a difficult decision for you to choose this career?”
Selina: Hi, I’m really happy about the interview. For me it was always clear that I would one day do what my dad does. Whenever someone asked me as a child what I wanted to become, my answer was always: “I’m going to be a mechanic.” So no, it was a very easy decision for me.
Swissvax: “Why did you decide to become a mechanic?”
Selina: During my school years I completed several internships – some in very different fields – but none of them appealed to me 100%. Since my dad is my absolute role model, I decided to become a mechanic. Even then, I didn’t know if I would really enjoy it. I was simply fascinated by my father’s knowledge and wanted to learn what he knows. And in the end, it worked out perfectly.
Swissvax: “How do men react when you explain to them what problems their classic car has and how you are going to fix them?”
Selina: Honestly, I hardly have any problems or difficulties with that. The feedback from our customers has always been positive.
Swissvax: “As a child, did you prefer playing with cars or dolls?”
Selina: Definitely both… but I was always a big Lego kid, especially Lego Technic. Of course, dolls were part of it too.
Swissvax: “Do you also drive on the racetrack from time to time? Is that correct? What is your favorite car on track?”
Selina: Yes, I’ve often been a passenger in my father’s 991 Cup, but I have only driven myself once so far – that was at the Red Bull Ring during the Ventilspiel event. In Austria I drove on a racetrack for the first time with my 1984 G-model Porsche, which still had the 3.2-liter engine installed at the time.
Swissvax: “What kind of relationship do you have with your cars?”
Selina: That’s a difficult question. My G-model is definitely something very special to me compared to my daily car. With my classic, I always have a huge smile on my face when I see it and think about everything I still want to do until it’s exactly how I imagine it. It’s still a long way to go, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Swissvax: “Which car would you still like to drive and why?”
Selina: I have several models on my list. Porsche is at the very top, especially the new GT3 RS and the Taycan Turbo S.
Swissvax: “How does an electric car like the Taycan fit into your world?”
Selina: We’re not standing still, and the modern technology of the Taycan fascinates me as well. The topic is controversial, and no one knows whether electric cars are truly the future. Of course, technically it’s something completely different – no traditional mechanics anymore, which is where I feel at home. But the pure power and acceleration impress me greatly. And for short distances, for example to the workshop and back – why not?
Swissvax: “Which car would you like to completely dismantle and rebuild from scratch?”
Selina: Definitely a 930 Turbo. But first it’s my G-model’s turn. I’m currently building a completely new engine for it – it will be a 3.8-liter engine, I can already reveal that. Apart from the mechanics, the entire car will be dismantled, rebuilt and repainted. After the ice races it’s quite worn and definitely deserves the full restoration.
Swissvax: “Will the new engine rev beyond 9,000 rpm?”
Selina: Who knows.
Swissvax: “You work a lot on air-cooled 911s. Do vehicles from other manufacturers also excite you?”
Selina: Apart from Porsche, I’m also a big BMW fan and have been driving an E90 as my daily for three years now. The car has never let me down. My boyfriend also drives a BMW, an E36, which simply looks great, is fantastic to drive and makes an incredible amount of fun in winter (laughs).
Swissvax: “Please describe a typical drive for us. How does it feel to you? What goes through your mind?”
Selina: Because of my job, I don’t have that much time for drives. Recently, I was a guest and co-driver with my friend Verena Proebst. She organizes her own rally, the Falkenhausen Classic, and I had the opportunity to participate. It was a fantastic experience! You feel completely transported back in time. Every car has its own character, and you meet so many wonderful people.
Swissvax: “What do you personally associate with Care for your Dream?”
Selina: I’ve read that phrase many times from you and I really like it. Everyone has that one personal dream in mind, and I believe you should work on it every single day to make it come true. And once the dream becomes reality, you should continue to care for it – and keep dreaming. My dream is my G-model and my profession as a mechanic. In a way, I “care” for both every day.
Swissvax: “What has been your most beautiful moment or experience with or in a Porsche so far?”
Selina: I think it was when I drove out of the pit lane onto the track and up to the starting line at Ventilspiel on the Red Bull Ring. I was incredibly nervous and happy at the same time. I will never forget it – it was an amazing experience, and I will definitely go back.
Swissvax: “You are currently restoring an old Porsche. Which one is it, and what does it mean to you personally?”
Selina: It’s a 1984 G-model. Originally it had a 3.2-liter engine, which is no longer installed. My dad imported it from Japan a few years ago and used it as an ice racing car at the Lungauring. When Corona started and the races were canceled, it was stored in our workshop. In autumn 2020, I took it out and began working on it – installed a braking system from a 996 and optimized several other components.
Swissvax: “And what about Verena’s red Porsche? Isn’t that also a project you worked on together?”
Selina: I was very honored that she entrusted me with her red 911. The car once belonged to her mother, and she has many memories connected to it. Together we overhauled the engine. It was truly a project close to my heart. Working with Verena is always great fun.
Swissvax: “Maybe one last tip from you: how do you get your fingernails clean and ready for the weekend?”
Selina: Very simple – scrub them with a craftsman’s brush and soap until they’re clean. But honestly, they usually break during the week and don’t look great anyway – and I don’t really mind that.
