CHAP PELL SPORTS CARS

From a motor industry family of four generations, Kier Chappell has wide and varied experience of the international motor industry, and nine years ago set up as an independent Porsche specialist in West Sussex

How long have you been in the Porsche business? I’ve been at Chappell Sports Cars for nine years, and have spent a total of 15 years with the Porsche brand. I was general manager of one of the leading independent Porsche specialists for five years, and before that worked for BMW and Lexus, and even completed a two-year contract with Chevrolet in the USA. The Chappell family has a four-generation fascination with motorcars and motorsport – Stanley Chappell was a member of the pre-war MG trials team. What Porsches do you specialise in? We tend to stock all models of the 911, and Caymans and Boxsters, with the occasional Cayenne or Macan SUV passing through the showroom. We also now have what we believe is the best 1973 911 RS Lightweight “recreation” to date – it was four years in the making. Based on a 1987 Carrera 3.2, it has a handbuilt 3.5-litre engine with Mahle pistons and barrels and produces 328bhp and 280lb ft torque, and it has Rennsport seats and an Fia-approved roll cage. What’s your cheapest, and most expensive Porsche presently in stock? Our cheapest is priced at £41,995. It’s a 2014/14registered Racing Yellow 981model Cayman with PDK transmission, 20-inch Carrera S alloys and black leather, and which has done 25,000 miles. The most expensive is £109,995, a classic 1997, R-registered 993 911 Carrera 4S, with six-speed manual transmission, Turbo Aerokit front and rear spoilers, and Arctic Silver metallic paintwork over Marble Grey leather. It has covered just 41,000 miles, has a full service, and we have known this car for over a decade and also four of its previous owners.

What would you recommend as the best “first Porsche” to buy? For a first Porsche, I think a 981 Boxster or Cayman would be a nice, affordable introduction to the brand.

Where do you get your stock from? Mostly private sellers, as we get to know the owner and can build up a far better picture of the car’s history.

What warranty do you give, or sell? We cover cars with a one-year warranty, free of charge, and tailored to suit the weaknesses that Porsches suffer. So unlike some generic used car warranties, our guarantee extends to anomalies such as bore-scoring, intermediate shaft bearing, rear main oil seal, airconditioning condensers, radiators and sensors to name just a few items.

We back the warranty ourselves, which put simply means that if something fails in the period of cover we will take care of everything, ensuring that the outcome is the customer’s smiling face. You will deal with us, hence a rapport is already established, rather than an underwriter who has never met you and is directed by a policy that covers all cars rather than one highly complicated car.

What’s “hot” at the moment? Early 991-series 911s, and gen 2 997s with low mileage and a good specification level.

What’s best value at the moment? With diesel having gone out of favour with the public, the Cayenne diesel has become excellent value. Name a car that you recently sold, that you would happily have kept for yourself A 2014/14-registered 991-model 911 Martini Racing Edition Carrera S, in Carrera White with black leather. It was one of the three cars that came to the UK out of the 80 built to celebrate Porsche’s return to Le Mans in 2014. What car do you drive everyday? I’m probably going have to go into hiding after this… a Volkswagen Golf R What are your plans for the future? To further our relationship with our current and future customers. Contact Chappell Sports Cars A27westbound Chichester West Sussex PO19 8FH +44 (0)1243 531911 chappellsportscars.com