If there’s one thing 2025 reminded us of, it’s that Porsche isn’t just about the cars. It’s about the people behind them. The workshops keeping classics alive. The specialists pushing modern cars further. The builders, racers, craftspeople and owners who all share the same obsession, just in different ways.

Throughout the year, we travelled, talked, listened, and spent time with some brilliant individuals and businesses across the Porsche world. From family-run garages to world-renowned specialists, from rugby players to metal-shaping masters, each story reinforced why the Porsche community remains as strong as ever.

Here’s a look back at some of the people we met in 2025 — and why their stories stood out.

Independent Specialists Doing Things Properly

A recurring theme across the year was independence. Not just in name, but in mindset.

At Williams Crawford, that independence comes from depth of experience. Whether it’s an early 356 or a modern 992, their workshop reflects decades of Porsche knowledge applied calmly and methodically. What struck us most wasn’t just the breadth of cars they handle, but the consistency of their approach — every model treated with the same respect, regardless of age or value.

A similar ethos runs through Dove House Motor Company, where passion for Porsche is backed up by years of hands-on experience. Their story isn’t about scale or flash; it’s about trust, long-term customer relationships, and doing the job properly. The kind of place where cars come back year after year, and owners know exactly who’s working on them.

That same feeling carried through at Philip Raby Specialist Cars, one of the most recognisable names in UK Porsche circles. Walking through their operation, it’s clear why they’ve built such a reputation. There’s an ease to how everything runs — a confidence that comes from doing this for a long time, and doing it well.

Family Garages and Modern Independents

Not every great Porsche story starts with a big name.

Our visit to Julia 911 Porsche took us just outside Barcelona, to a specialist garage doing things properly and without shortcuts. Led by Jan Julià, the workshop handles everything in-house — from engines and gearboxes to fabrication and trimming — which gives them full control over the builds they produce.

They’re best known for their work with air-cooled cars, particularly 911 SCs, 3.2 Carreras, 964s and 993s, with projects ranging from careful restorations to full backdate-style builds. What stood out most was the clarity of their approach: build cars that feel right to drive, not just impressive on paper.

At Sports Vehicle Performance (SVP), the family-garage spirit is very much alive. Their workshop feels like a place where enthusiasm still drives everything, backed by proper technical ability and a genuine love for 911s in all forms. It’s the sort of garage many Porsche owners actively seek out — knowledgeable, approachable, and invested.

That modern-independent mindset was also clear at LAP911, a workshop doing things slightly differently. Their approach blends technical expertise with a fresh outlook, proving that Porsche specialists don’t need to follow a rigid formula to succeed. Instead, it’s about adapting, evolving, and understanding what today’s owners want from their cars.

We also spent time with SCS Porsche, whose story charts the move from dealership life into successful independence. It’s a transition many technicians dream of, but few pull off well. Their journey shows what’s possible when experience meets the freedom to do things your own way.

Builders, Visionaries and Big Ideas

Some of the most memorable moments of 2025 came from those pushing Porsche culture forward creatively.

Hexagon Classics is a perfect example. Paul’s journey from a single mews garage to one of the most respected names in classic Porsche speaks volumes. What stood out wasn’t just the cars — although they’re exceptional — but the long-term vision. Building something slowly, carefully, and with genuine intent.

At the other end of the spectrum, Von Schmidt showed us what happens when craftsmanship meets bold imagination. Their special builds blur the line between restoration and reinvention, producing cars that feel personal, considered, and unapologetically individual. It’s not about trends — it’s about creating something meaningful.

Then there’s Porschemode, whose work asks an interesting question: what if Porsche had built this version themselves? Their projects sit in that sweet spot between factory logic and creative freedom, offering a different take on what a Porsche can be.

Craft, Restoration and Attention to Detail

Behind every great Porsche is someone who understands materials as much as machines.

Spending time with Precision Panel Craft was a reminder that restoration is an art form in its own right. Watching classic cars stripped back and rebuilt the right way gives you a new appreciation for what goes into keeping these vehicles alive. It’s slow, careful work — the kind that doesn’t shout for attention, but makes all the difference.

That dedication to craft is something we see time and again across the community. It’s also why so many of these businesses thrive quietly, through word of mouth and reputation rather than noise.

Porsche People Beyond the Workshop

Not every Porsche story starts in a garage.

Meeting Miles Reid, Bath Rugby player and Porsche 911 SC owner, offered a refreshing change of pace. His relationship with his car mirrors how many enthusiasts feel — it’s part escape, part passion, and part personal reward. Whether on or off the pitch, that connection to driving remains a constant.

We also followed Triniane Racing to the Tour de Corse Historique, where 25-year-old driver Tanguy took on Corsica’s demanding roads in a freshly built Porsche 911 SC Group 4. Surrounded by Porsche from a young age, Tanguy now works within the family-run workshop preparing historic race and rally cars the old-fashioned way — strong, simple, and built to last.

The Corsica rally is tough on both cars and crews, but the 911 SC proved exactly why it has such a strong rallying reputation. Supported with the right parts and preparation, it’s a reminder that Porsche’s motorsport heritage is still very much alive — not in museums, but out on the stages where it belongs.

What These Stories All Have in Common

Looking back, the common thread across all these features is authenticity.

None of the people we met were chasing shortcuts. They’ve built their reputations through experience, consistency, and genuine care for what they do. Whether restoring classics, maintaining modern cars, or creating something entirely new, the focus is always on doing things properly.

For us at Design911, these stories matter because they reflect the wider ecosystem we support every day. Porsche ownership doesn’t exist in isolation — it relies on skilled hands, trusted specialists, and a community that shares knowledge openly.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2026, we’re excited to meet even more people who keep the Porsche world moving forward. More workshops, more stories, more perspectives – all connected by the same passion.

To everyone we met in 2025: thank you for welcoming us into your world. And to the wider Porsche community, we’ll see you on the road, in the workshop, or at the next story waiting to be told.