The Story of P911 RED — How Scarlett Found Her Way Home

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Sometimes the world works in mysterious ways. You might call it fate, you might call it circumstance, or maybe it’s just pure luck — but from where I’m standing, it feels like this Porsche was always meant to find me.

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My love of classic cars officially began with Cassie, my 1984 Ford Capri 1.6 Laser. I’ve owned over 60 cars in my lifetime (yes, I have a problem), and after 30 years in the automotive industry I’ve driven everything from the brilliant to the barely roadworthy. But Cassie was the first classic that whispered, “Start a collection… you know you want to, I'm the car that you always promised yourself” And here we are.

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Then came Juliette, a charming little 1969 Fiat 500 with bags of character.

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Car number three was Vader, a 1986 Volkswagen Golf GTI 3-door — a proper bargain, though he still needs a bit of TLC before he’s road-ready.

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After that, I knew it was time to add something a bit more iconic to the collection.

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A Porsche 911 had been on my mind for a long time. Sure, I’d have loved an early air-cooled model or a full-blown Turbo, but those were well outside the budget.

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So the hunt began for a 996 — the most accessible way into the world of 911 ownership.

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I’d had great fun bidding at Iconic Auctioneers before (that’s where Juliette came from), and watching their auctions live from the comfort of my front room had become a bit of a hobby.

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The Classic Sale at the NEC in 2025 featured four 996s, and there was one in particular I had my eye on — if it stayed within estimate, it was coming home with me.

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The first Porsche across the block was a lovely 2001 Guards Red 996.1 Tiptronic.Had a cheeky go at it, but was quickly outbid.

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The next was a 1999 Cabrio which went for under ten grand, but it just didn’t tempt me.

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Then came “my” car — a 2002 996.2 Carrera 4 manual. I put a bid in… instantly outbid.It quickly rocketed above estimate and past the twenty grand mark, the only 911 that day to do so. Clearly, it wasn’t meant to be.

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While waiting for the fourth car to appear, my phone rang. It was Iconic Auctioneers. The Guards Red 996 hadn’t hit reserve. If I was willing to go just £500 above my previous bid… it was mine. I said yes on the spot. Just like that, I’d bought my first Porsche 911.

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When the car arrived about a week later, I realised I’d done even better than expected. It had been listed as a 996.1 3.4 — but it was actually a 996.2 with the 3.6. A nicer car than I’d even thought I was buying. That’s the kind of surprise you don’t mind.

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A few days later, browsing the DVLA November registration auction, a plate jumped out at me: P911 RED A perfect match for a Guards Red 911. Surely that was fate nudging me again.

I placed an early bid.

Got outbid.

Countered.

Got outbid again on the final day…

One last bid from me, and I reclaimed the lead — and won it.

What a rush. What a plate. And what a perfect finishing touch for Scarlett — the Porsche that feels like she was always supposed to be part of the collection.

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