Walkabout Wednesday: Have We Got Every Generation of Porsche in the Building Today?

Have we got every generation of Porsche in the building today?

Well, there’s only one way to find out!

This week’s Walkabout Wednesday is a little different. Rather than concentrating on one particular Porsche, I’m taking you on a proper tour of Williams Crawford.

And when I say proper, I mean we’re going everywhere.

Through the showroom, around the cars, into the workshop and behind the scenes at Special Works.

It’s a bumper episode, so perhaps make yourself a cup of tea before you press play.

Seventy Years of Porsche Under One Roof

One of the things I enjoy most about Williams Crawford is that you never quite know what you’ll find here from one week to the next.

We might have a beautiful 356 sitting alongside a modern 911 Turbo. An early air-cooled 911 might be sharing space with a Boxster Spyder, while something particularly interesting is being worked on just around the corner.

And that’s the joy of Porsche.

There’s an extraordinary family resemblance running through these cars, despite the decades separating them.

The engineering has changed enormously, of course. Engines have moved from air cooling to water cooling, performance has reached levels that would once have seemed unimaginable, and the technology in a modern Porsche is extraordinary.

But there’s still something familiar about the driving position, the steering, the shape of the wings and that unmistakable Porsche character.

Seventy years of development, yet you can still recognise the family.

Are You a 356 Person or a Turbo Enthusiast?

Here’s something I’ve learned after 35 years in the Porsche business.

There isn’t one type of Porsche enthusiast.

Some people love the delicacy and simplicity of the early cars. The 356, with its beautiful shape, modest dimensions and wonderfully mechanical character, is their idea of perfection.

Others want a Turbo.

And I can understand that too.

The extraordinary acceleration, engineering and effortless performance have made the Turbo one of the great names in motoring.

Then there are the Spyder people.

The Speedster enthusiasts.

Those who dream of an RS.

And, of course, the people who believe that a well-sorted, everyday 911 or Boxster is quite simply the best sports car money can buy.

The wonderful thing is that none of them is wrong.

They’re simply enjoying different chapters of the same story.

And today, we’re going to have a look at quite a few of those chapters.

There’s More to a Porsche Than Its Badge

As we walk around the cars, I’ll share some of the things we’ve learned over the years.

Not everything that looks wonderful is necessarily a good buy.

Equally, a car with a few miles on the clock, or one that isn’t cosmetically perfect, can sometimes be an absolute delight.

Condition matters. Maintenance matters. History matters.

And the way a car has been looked after can tell you far more than a photograph or an impressive list of factory options.

There are also some Porsche that make much more sense when you see them in person.

You notice the proportions, the details, the quality of the restoration or perhaps the honesty of a car that’s been enjoyed rather than endlessly polished.

I’ll share a few truths, observations and buying tips as we go.

Because whether you’re thinking of buying your first Porsche or you’ve owned them for decades, there’s always something new to learn.

Behind the Scenes in the Workshop

Now, this is where things get particularly interesting.

The showroom is only part of Williams Crawford.

Behind it is the workshop, where our team looks after everything from early classics to modern Porsche.

Servicing, diagnosis, repairs, mechanical restoration and the occasional particularly challenging problem.

And sometimes it’s the cars you don’t see in the showroom that have the most fascinating stories.

We’ll have a look at what’s happening, talk about some of the work involved and show you a little of what goes on behind the scenes.

It’s a side of the business that I’m particularly proud of.

Because buying a Porsche is one thing.

Knowing how to look after it properly is quite another.

And Then There’s Special Works

Special Works is where we can take things a little further.

Sometimes a Porsche owner wants to improve the way a car drives, perhaps with carefully chosen suspension, steering or braking upgrades.

Sometimes it’s a restoration.

Sometimes it’s a competition car or a more individual project.

And sometimes it’s simply a matter of making an already good Porsche that little bit better.

The important thing is understanding the car, understanding what the owner wants and making sensible decisions.

Not every modification is an improvement.

And not every Porsche needs modifying.

We’ll take a look around and see what’s happening.

And What About the Macan and Cayenne?

Of course, Porsche ownership isn’t all about two-seat sports cars and 911s.

The Macan and Cayenne are a huge part of the Porsche story too.

They’re wonderful everyday machines. Comfortable, practical, beautifully engineered and, in the right specification, surprisingly enjoyable to drive.

We’ve handled a great many of them over the years, and they’re cars we know extremely well.

But they also bring me to a question we’re asked quite often.

When is the right time to change your Porsche?

My answer is usually very simple.

When you first start seriously thinking about it.

Perhaps your Macan has been absolutely brilliant, but you fancy a newer one. Maybe your Cayenne has served the family wonderfully, but your circumstances have changed.

Or perhaps you’ve got a 911, Boxster or classic Porsche sitting in the garage that simply isn’t getting used.

People often hold on, thinking they’ll get around to changing it next year.

Then another year passes.

The mileage might barely increase, but the car is still getting older. Maintenance doesn’t stop simply because you aren’t driving it.

And if it’s left standing for too long, it can actually deteriorate.

Meanwhile, the next car, the next adventure or whatever else you might have done with the money is on hold too.

I’m not suggesting everybody should rush out and sell their Porsche!

Quite the opposite.

But if the thought of changing has already crossed your mind, give us a call and let’s talk it through.

We can discuss what your car is worth, whether it’s sensible to keep it, what you might replace it with and the different options available.

You might decide to do nothing.

That’s fine too.

At the very least, you’ll have some good advice.

And quite possibly, we’ll help you towards something you’ve been dreaming about.

Which One Would You Take Home?

There’s a question I often find myself asking when I walk through the building.

If I could choose just one Porsche here today, which would it be?

And the answer changes!

It might be a lovely early 911 one morning, a 356 the next, or a modern Spyder after an enjoyable drive.

Sometimes it’s a car that wouldn’t necessarily be the most expensive or the rarest.

Just the one that makes me want to pick up the keys and go somewhere.

That’s what I hope comes across in these videos.

We love Porsche, but not simply as things to collect, polish or admire.

We love what you can do with them.

The places they take you. The people you meet. And the pleasure of driving something that feels just that little bit special.

Come and Have a Look Around

So, welcome to this week’s Walkabout Wednesday.

It’s a bumper episode, featuring Porsche spanning some 70 years, from the early classics through to the modern cars, with Speedsters, Spyders, RS models, Turbos, Macans, Cayennes and plenty more along the way.

We’ll explore the showroom, visit the workshop, take a look at Special Works and share some advice and observations as we go.

If you’re a Porsche enthusiast, I think you’ll enjoy it.

And if you’re wondering whether we really do have every generation of Porsche in the building today, you’ll have to watch and find out.

Make yourself comfortable. We’ve got quite a lot to show you!