The Story of P911 RED — How Scarlett Found Her Way Home
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.
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.
Then came Juliette, a charming little 1969 Fiat 500 with bags of character.
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.
After that, I knew it was time to add something a bit more iconic to the collection.
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.
So the hunt began for a 996 — the most accessible way into the world of 911 ownership.
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.
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.
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.
The next was a 1999 Cabrio which went for under ten grand, but it just didn’t tempt me.
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.
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.
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.
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.