George's Story - Boost, a real 911 story!

As with any second hand car purchase you always prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best. Make that a multi-owner 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo and the anxiety levels increase exponentially.

I think I was 13 when I first set my eyes on a Black on Black 911 SC sporting a whale tail at a local car wash in Montreal, Canada, and it was certainly the first time in my life that I felt an emotional connection with something made of steel, rubber and other shiny bits, and it’s been an emotional roller coaster I’ve been riding ever since.

Fast forward to May 2014 when the pieces of my Porsche puzzle fell into place. Late night trawling through the car classified on my iPad, I came upon a Silver & Black 911 Turbo on sale with Autohaus Hamilton. This guy Scott in the ad was basically saying ‘if you need permission to buy this car then don’t call me’ - arrogant, yes, funny, even more so. I looked through the images and for the second time in my life I was feeling an emotional connection with something that couldn’t love me back… I had to have it!

Three months in and let me something straight; a Porsche 911 Turbo is a phenomenal piece of motoring engineering. This car feels alive, the more I drive it the more I become a part of it. It’s intoxicating; a sensory overload from the moment I fire it up.

But it wasn’t that way to begin with. A pervious owner had modified the computer chip in what appears to have been a cheap attempt to increase power, which consequently lead to too much boost and excessive oil consumption during my first few weeks of ownership.

It was time to have a chat with the Autohaus Hamilton service team.

Grant a very pleasant and friendly man greeted me with a smile as I exited my car. He introduced me to his partner in the business Nathan Murray - a man on a mission - and we got to talking.

They listened, and listened, and listened. I spoke of my engine concerns, my desire for more audible exhaust note, more power, more torque, but above all piece of mind that my engine would see me comfortably double the 75,000kms on the clock. And then they spoke in the most powerful works of all, words of action.

Grant, Nathan and Scott did something virtually unheard of in there world of business today, especially unheard of in the world of used car sales - they offered to rebuild my engine at their cost; an engine rebuild that would end up costing them 30K!

It turns out that they love what they do with a passion. They live and breathe Porsche and it shows. They’ve found their calling, they’re the lucky ones. Looking back now it was more important for them that my first Porsche experience was every bit as special as I dreamt it would be rather than making it about the money or about band aid solutions. I have to say, I am touched and humbled by their actions, and I believe business the world over would benefit greatly if they took a page out of the Autohaus Hamilton book of business!

So what did I end up with? A rebuilt engine… check. The option to upgrade a few engine parts to a high spec… check. The option to install a racing shifter with steel cables… check - the sound of this is incredible, when you’re mashing the pedal you can’t help but feel like you’re in a racing car! The part list is long… but what’s not on the parts list is what is even more special. It’s what they’re known for, and that’s building winning Porsche racing cars.

Their expert and very approachable engine builder with a soft smile, Matt, added some Autohaus Hamilton signature touched to my engine, it’s a closely guarded secret so I’m not exactly sure what they are, but they’re there! They’re there for three reasons. First reason, my car has more horsepower than when it left the factory and its stock. Second reason, my car has exponentially more torque than when it left the factory and its stock. Third and most satisfying reason, my car has an exhaust growl that’s intoxicating, and definitely didn’t leave the factory with this soundtrack.

Subtle but present on idle, fierce and smile inducing when ripping up the rev counter. Autohaus Hamilton has made my dream of owning a Porsche a positive lifetime experience.

To the entire team at Autohaus Hamilton, well done and thank you boys!

- George K