Andy Gregory By Andy Gregory 2 years ago

My Porsche story: the 997 I had to own

As part of a new series where 9WERKS members share their Porsche journey, Barney Dines explains how a new 997 test drive in 2004 inspired a desire to swap VW for Porsche…

My earliest memory of the Porsche brand was as a kid, around eight years old, when I got a LeMans 24 Hour Scalextric set as Christmas present. Inside the box, along with 33 feet of track featuring multiple chicanes and a flyover bridge, were a pair of silver and gold Porsche 911 Turbos. For a good number of years this set kept me entertained (relive the magic here via YouTube!), but as soon as driving real cars became a reality, the set was sold at a car boot sale to help fund my first VW Beetle project.
I got into Volkswagens from a young age and bought my first Beetle when I was 15. I completed a fairly extensive resto/custom job on it, albeit on a tight teenager’s budget; the front beam was cut and welded, the rear adjusted 3 splines to match before the body was finished in tractor paint and my Mum re-upholstered the seats in green velour! Easily my favourite Beetle was a 1960 model that was painted in ‘Candy Apricot’ (below) and was the star of the Volksworld magazine cover in 1992. I have the issue lurking around the office somewhere. Sadly, the car was sold and then crashed by the new owner – I’d love to have had that one back now I have room to park it. 

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    I’ve worked in the Automotive industry for over 30 years, starting at Big Boys Toys in Thurrock, moving to Volks Spares before starting Street Style and Power with my best friend and business partner, Paul. We both later became shareholders and co-owners at Heritage Parts Centre and launched our Porsche parts range in 2018 – which is available to buy through the 9WERKS Shop.  
    My former boss at Big Boys Toys (which later became AmD Tuning) was Shaun Hollamby, previously a BTCC driver and team owner, and friends with a certain Mark Sumpter of Paragon fame. I’ve been very lucky to have a few passenger laps with Mark over the years, which has only furthered my desire to drive fast!

    The first time I drove a Porsche myself was in 2004. I was invited to Porsche Mid-Sussex to try out the new 997. Having grown up in Essex there’s a definite boy racer gene in my DNA and I spanked it down the A23 with the Sales guy hanging on for dear life! I knew then I had to have one, one day.
      As you might expect, I’ve owned my fair share of VWs including Beetles, an Early Bay, a Type 3 Fastback, Type 25, Golfs Mk1, Mk2, Mk3 and Mk4, a Corrado and later a TT. However, it was in 2015 when I eventually bit the bullet and bought my very own 997.1 Carrera in Atlas Grey Metallic. 

      Tinkering and tweaking is in my blood, so I’ve carried out a couple of mods in the time I’ve had the car. Externally it has been lowered on Eibach springs, and I fitted Turbo-style wheels although I’ve recently had a change of heart and the original Lobster Claw wheels will be getting refurbished and going back on, along with the OE tail lamps too. As a big music fan, the stereo system left a lot to be desired, so Huets Car Audio installed a Pioneer head unit with Apple Car Play and an Audison speaker and amp upgrade, which is far more suitable for my collection of electronic music.

      I ran the car daily for a number of years whilst living in Brighton and have participated in a number of track days at Brands Hatch, as well as taking it out to some European trade shows and also to compete in a Triathlon in the Alps. 
        With a young family its commuter days are over, but future plans are certainly to spend more time behind the wheel and return it a little more to stock specification. 

        Waiting in the wings at Heritage HQ is another Porsche project that I plan to build with my daughter when she is old enough – she’s three at the moment, but I’m kinda busy with work and other stuff now anyway. The car in question is a Martin & Walker 550 Spyder replica, which we were lucky enough to be gifted by a friend of the company who was losing storage and short of any time to build it. It’s a fiberglass body that sits over a custom chassis, which is typically completed with Beetle running gear. But my plan is to make it EV powered, which should be wickedly quick in a car that light. Anyone got a smashed up Taycan going spare?! 

        A story like this wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my dream Porsche, a 356C Quad cam. Arguably the best of the 356 range, I’ve never driven one, but would love to spend a few weeks behind the wheel, heading down to Monte Carlo and cruising along the Mediterranean coast reliving the glory days of the motorcar, interspersed with modern day fine-dining and a spot of partying, too.

        Want to submit your Porsche story? Email us: hello@9werks.co.uk.

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