The UK’s Porsche scene is full of larger-than-life characters, storied workshops and Instagrammable stock. But in a quiet corner of the south coast, far from the corporate chrome and scripted sales pitches, sits something refreshingly different: Philip Raby Specialist Cars. No hype, no frills — just decades of experience, an eye for a good car, and the confidence to do things properly.

Here, you’ll find 911s that have been lived with, learned from, fettled and fine-tuned by people who know what they’re doing — and more importantly, why they’re doing it. There’s no conveyor belt. Just a focused setup that cares as much about the 100th mile as the first.

From magazine mastheads to cylinder heads

Founder Philip Raby didn’t begin in sales — he started in magazines, writing for 911 & Porsche World before launching the widely respected Total 911. After selling the title to a major publisher, he faced the inevitable question: what’s next?

“Someone said, ‘Why don’t you start selling Porsches?’” he recalls. “So I began with the odd car, outsourcing the servicing. But during lockdown, we thought: hang on — why not do it ourselves?”

It made sense. Managing the entire process meant better quality control and, crucially, better aftercare. If you sell someone a 911 and it comes back for servicing a year later, you’ve done something right.

Now, several years later, the workshop is fully integrated, run by a small team that’s lean, knowledgeable & refreshingly no-nonsense.

Meet Ollie: workshop lead, problem-solver, all-round car whisperer

Running the workshop is Ollie — calm, capable and straight-talking. He oversees a setup that includes two two-post lifts and a four-poster ramp, ideal for bulkier models like Cayennes and Panameras.

“There’s nothing we avoid,” he explains. “We work on everything from early air-cooled cars to modern 992s. Engine rebuilds, suspension work, bodywork, general servicing — it all comes through here.”

The team — Ollie, Jason and Harland — isn’t huge, but what they lack in headcount, they make up for in consistency. It’s not about volume. It’s about doing the job properly and treating every car as if it were their own.

And when it comes to older models like the 996, that honesty becomes even more valuable.

“You can’t make these cars brand new again,” Ollie says. “They’re 20, 25 years old now. It’s about helping owners make sensible, informed decisions — not chasing perfection, but making sure things are sound and reliable.”

Drive it, feel it, then deliver it

Every car sold by Philip Raby Specialist Cars goes through a thorough inspection — and then a road test. Not a quick spin around the block, but a proper couple of days behind the wheel.

“You only start to notice the real details once you live with the car,” Philip says. “That’s why either Ollie or I drive each one before it goes out.”

It’s not a gimmick — there’s a warranty on every sale, underwritten in-house. Which means the margin for error is zero. The car needs to feel right, sound right, and behave exactly as it should. If it doesn’t, it stays.

A reliable backbone: Design911

None of this would work without a strong supply chain — and that’s where Design911 comes in. The go-to name for Porsche parts in the UK, they’ve quietly become the default choice for independent specialists like Raby.

“We’d be lost without them, to be honest,” Ollie admits. “The parts are always spot-on. OE-match quality, sensible pricing, fast turnaround — everything we need.”

For older models especially, main dealer prices can quickly spiral out of control. That’s where Design911 adds real value — by supplying the right parts at the right price, without compromising quality.

“They play a huge role in what we do,” Ollie continues. “They make our job easier — and our customers happier. They’re our first port of call for almost everything.”

He’s quick to name-check the team, too: “Phoebe’s brilliant. She’s grown into the role really well. And Sam’s always on it. I don’t want to forget anyone, but the whole crew there just gets it. It feels like a proper working relationship, not just a transaction.”

Sales without the sell

Not everyone who walks into the showroom knows exactly what they’re after. And that’s fine — because this isn’t the kind of place that forces a decision.

“Some buyers know every option code, others just know they want a 911,” says Philip. “So we make a coffee, sit down, and talk it through.”

He’s under no illusions — for many people, this is a dream purchase. One they’ve saved for, planned around, maybe even waited years to make.

“We try to get it right first time,” he adds. “Because if someone ends up with the wrong car, the dream can go badly wrong. We want them to enjoy it, not regret it.”

Appointments are encouraged, especially for test drives — space is tight and stock moves quickly — but walk-ins aren’t turned away. “We’re happy to show people round. There’s no pressure here. Just come in, have a chat.”

Rare metal with real character

Among the stock is something rather special: one of just 75 right-hand-drive homologation cars built so Porsche could race at Le Mans. Signed by Derek Bell, no less.

“It’s a real piece of history,” Philip says. “Based on a 924 Turbo, but reworked with an intercooler, wider arches and a different character entirely. Derek Bell owns one too, which says a lot.”

It’s one of those cars that doesn’t shout — but if you know, you know. And that’s very much the vibe here.

More than metal

There’s a simple ethos at play here: give people a good experience, and they’ll remember it. That applies whether someone’s buying a GT3 or bringing in a 986 Boxster for a service.

“People say they’re buying the car from us — not just buying a car. And that’s how we like it,” says Philip. “We want people to feel looked after. That it wasn’t just a transaction.”

With Design911 supporting things behind the scenes and a core team that knows its way around every model in the Porsche back catalogue, Philip Raby Specialist Cars is a rare find: informal, informed & refreshingly human.