Reputable Dealers - Stephens, Malton, Williams Crawford ...

[FDub]

Hello all,

I'm Dublin based and have been trying to buy a good solid 911 for some time. My inclination is strongly towards the mid to late 80s but I'm prepared to consider anything rust free from an earlier period, particularly if it's been mechanically improved in the areas of suspension, brakes, engine and gearbox. Budget stretches from £45k through to £90k for something really deserving.

It's difficult to consider cars from long distance based only on photographs and advertisements and as a result I am strongly inclined towards specialist dealers as opposed to private sales. A limited number of dealers of what seem to be high repute and which tend to have interesting stock have come to my attention during my search and I was wondering if anyone would care to provide comment (publicly or privately) as regards their feelings, having dealt with any in the past. Personal experiences by preference but any advice happily received.

Paul Stephens
Specialist Cars of Malton
Williams Crawford
Border Reivers

In particular I'm interested to know about accuracy of description when it comes to true condition as opposed to the advertisement. I'm also interested in thoughts as regards overall sales and after-sales service and general integrity.

Thanks for reading.

[harrykul]

You need to Google the last one on your list.

[Budflicker]

I've compiled a list of reputable dealers that I would trust under your circumstances

911 Virgin (top of my list for good reason )
JZM - good cars but can be a bit like an estate agent on pricing.
Paragon
RSJ - just don't expect a test drive.
Top 555
Ashgood
Williams Crawford
Maxed Page - normally really top end stuff though.
Paul Stephens - I'd want an inspection.

I've excluded the other two on your list, the last one I wouldnt buy a bag of crisps from!!!

I'm sure others will add to the list, good luck on the search.

Edited by Budflicker on Tuesday 12th February 19:00

[Cheib]

I don’t think any of RPM, JZM or 911 Virgin specialise in cars of that age but all have excellent reputations and do sometimes have cars like you’re potentially looking for. Might also be worth getting in contact with Tuthill and Autofarm who are two of the specialists that service cars of this age and probably know cars that have been mechanically improved as that’s a big part fo their business. RPM are similar in that do upgrade work to cars and JZM have a service dept.

I’d add all of them to your list.

[ellroy]

I live in Malton and John, the owner, there is a very good chap. Does have a very high end approach to his cars and the prices reflect that to a good extent.

[LarJammer]

Unfortunately PH rules dictate that some things about some of the companys listed above cannot be said.

Have you considered getting in toucch with an inspection company to look at cars on your behalf?

[blackmamba]

Of your original list I would only recommend Williams Crawford. Google the others.

As others have suggested, people like 911V, JZM, Ashgood and RPM are all good to deal with but you may have to wait to find the right car. Give them a call as they often know of cars that might be available and fit the bill.

Even if you go to a reputable dealer, be thorough when you inspect the car and get it inspected for peace of mind. A few hundred pound well spent.

[deadslow]

interesting info; good to know

[hunter 66]

GT Classics , for something a little special , and inspections by a special guy Paul who really knows his stuff ...

[Steve Rance]

Yep Paul is an extremely knowledgeable and very nice Man. Certainly my go to company if I were looking for aircooled or just about anything special in a Porsche badge. A very decent and mechanically sympathetic driver as well.

[g7jhp]

FDub said:

Hello all,

My inclination is strongly towards the mid to late 80s but I'm prepared to consider anything rust free from an earlier period, particularly if it's been mechanically improved in the areas of suspension, brakes, engine and gearbox. Budget stretches from £45k through to £90k for something really deserving.

So you're probably looking for a late 86-89 3.2 Carrera coupe (they're all manual with G50 gearbox).

Best to get onto ImpactBumpers.com and speaking with John Glynn who knows alot of owners and their cars.

Of the garages worth watching:

911 Virgin - ask them to find you one
JZM - ask them to find you one
RSJ - just don't expect a test drive.
Ashgood
Williams Crawford
RPM Technik
Camerons Sports Cars of Bath
Portiacraft - no posh coffee, but got my first 3.2 from them.

I've had two silver '87 3.2 Carrera coupes and I'd love another but they used to be £16-18k, not todays crazy prices.

Please get it inspected by an expert, John Glynn does inspections. I use Jaz in St.Albans.

Rust is the main enemy.

Feel free to DM me if you want any advice.

Good luck.

[AW10]

blackmamba said:

Of your original list I would only recommend Williams Crawford. Google the others.

As others have suggested, people like 911V, JZM, Ashgood and RPM are all good to deal with but you may have to wait to find the right car. Give them a call as they often know of cars that might be available and fit the bill.

Even if you go to a reputable dealer, be thorough when you inspect the car and get it inspected for peace of mind. A few hundred pound well spent.

What he said plus Phil Raby.

Consider joining impactbumpers.com as well - lots of experience there and someone might even know the car you're interested in. Or have one to sell and you can get a feel for the seller by their posts/history. But eyes wide wide wide open please - there are absolute charlatans out there trying to cash in on the appreciation in air cooled 911s. Some are well known and seemingly big legitimate dealers. But see https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... - not all are as they first appear.

[mark.c]

My 993tt came from Paul at GT Classics in 2004. If I'm honest I hadn't much of a clue about the finer points of aircooled purchasing despite having had a lovely 964 C2 before hand ( From Adrian Crawford coincidentally, who'd I'd also recommend ). Paul was very patient and the car was exactly how he described it, which was just as well since I was serving on a ship when I agreed to buy it! I disembarked about a month later, got a lift of a mate and turned up at his house late in the evening, kit bag in hand praying I'd got the right house!

I still have it now and it's been an absolute belter.

[pete.g]

If you're in Dublin, have a word with George McMillan in Antrim - he may have something coming in that might suit. The 3.2 he has at the moment is really clean looking, but it's all the money.


This would save you the trip to GB and would allow you to inspect, test drive, etc, in person.


I have no connection to either the business or the car in question.

[harrykul]

I can recommend George too, one of the good guys.

[supersport]

I am pretty certain RSJ don’t sell air cooled. If you want a 997 then yes, but wasting your time for air cooled.

[KEVS500]

Alan Drayson at Canford Classics in Dorset may be able to help you source a good 'classic' 911 - I have a lovely '89 Carrera from Alan.

[ClaphamGT3]

I've bought four cars from Paul Stephens and only had good experiences. Honest, no-nonsense and straightforward to deal with. PM me if you want more info

[Orangecurry]

Rust-free is an interesting stipulation.

But to answer the question, Paul Raby is probably the person to inspect and so it almost doesn't matter who is selling it.

Sounds like you should buy a SSE. Do you like the convertible?

Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 13th February 07:22

[FDub]

Many thanks to all who replied. Very much appreciated.

To answer a few queries, yes I have had professional inspections done on a couple of cars. I've also viewed quite a few myself. One, I recall, was particularly disappointing. I managed to crush what remained of both kidney bowls with my bare hands. The externals had obviously been very recently blown-in to hide the issues beneath. That car had been described as being particularly solid by someone who's name and company I am sure many would respect. It's been a long and frustrating road.

You've offered up some name/dealer recommendations that were't really on my radar so I'll be doing a bit more research there. thanks very much. Thanks to PeteG for the Antrim suggestion. I'd seen that car advertised previously.and dismissed it on colour mainly. Thanks also to AW10 for that particularly enlightening but scary read!

Some have suggested some google searches. I've only had quite limited success in that area. Perhaps I'm using the wrong keywords but I didn't find what I would call a lot of negative stories and to be fair, one would expect one or two for any dealer.