In the next of our occasional series on ‘Porsche people’, we meet Sam Forrest who, as son of legendary Dave ‘DF’ Forrest, leads the way for Porsche in Leeds. We sat down with Sam to discuss all things Porsche, including the people who drive them, and the suppliers who keep those wheels turning.

‘People person’ Sam has been with the company founded by his dad and Dave Sunderland – who has been immersed in Porsche since 1968 – since 2016 and his joining the company had an air of inevitability about it. As is the case with many of the boutique specialists with whom we work, Strasse was formed by a splinter group of like-minded lovers of the brand breaking away from the city’s main dealer.

The original four saw a market beyond ‘just’ selling cars and set out to do their own thing. And what a thing it’s proved to be. The core of DF and Dave built a family – literally, in Sam’s case – of Porsche lovers, engineers, and down-to-the-last-screw expert who provide a service beyond handing over the keys.

Dedicated follower of passion

While Strasse does sell new models – Sam estimates a stock of no more than 15 cars at any one time – insisting on “quality over quantity” ensures they remain true to their aim of helping customers get the most from their cars. And that means using the latest technology to get more from these classic machines. For example, a PIWIS diagnostic tool enables Sam and his fellow technicians to update the coding on newer cars and support more efficient work on older, air-cooled cars.

For example?

A 930 Turbo is in the workshop and Sam’s crew are working with fellow specialists Fabspeed to supply and fit a new exhaust, turbo to backbox. As Sam explains, exhaust replacements are increasingly common in older, air-cooled models.

It’s surely the presence of companies like his, staffed by specialists and those who appreciate a fine German sports car, that are encouraging more owners to put their 911s up on the ramp. Fabspeed have a tick list of Porsche performance upgrades here.

Sam is happy to run through the options available to the 911 owner having to replace their exhaust after 30 years of faultless delivery. They include a flat-out, like for like change; an after-market upgrade, swap out individual parts such as the header or backbox; Dansk offers a “superb replacement option at a fraction of the cost”.

Passion wagon

After a week dominated by sales, service work and engine rebuilds, at the weekend Sam, his fellow ‘Strassetafarians’ and likeminded motor sport fans head for the track – and the chance to put their Porsches through their paces. “We like to spread our wings through motor sport. We have a massive passion for Porsches; we work with them all week and are still there at the weekend!”

Strasse offer engine rebuilds of both water- and air-cooled mills, “anything from an early 911 to a 993. That’s a standard engine revamp or a performance upgrade for those who want to squeeze that bit more muscle from their motor. Design 911 carry engine performance upgrade kits here.

Vroom with a view?

Sam drives a 944 S2, 1990 vintage. Finished in Baltic blue, it looks amazing and packs a punch, thanks to the 16-valve 3.0L powerplant, the largest four-cylinder engine in production at that time. “Brilliant car, love it to bits, lovely handling – I should probably use it a bit more …. It’s not the fastest car in the world, but sometimes I think you don’t just need speed. (Tom Cruise may disagree here.)

“As soon as I bought the car, the first things I changed were the water pump and the cam belt, both from Design 911.”

Talking of whom…

Sam talks fondly about Tony, who spent 20 years working with his dad, before taking that experience over to Design 911. It makes a good working relationship more personal, explains Sam, and there was already plenty to recommend Design 911 as an extension of what Strasse offer their customers.

“We’re really enjoying working with Design 911. The prices are a good price, which means we can pass that price on to our customers. They’re efficient, the team there are great to work with, helpful, well-informed – and just a nice bunch of guys”.

He’s not wrong.

Come and see for yourself why so many specialist Porsche suppliers rate Design 911.

Watch the full feature here –

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