Since Juliette 'Jules' Easey commandeered her husband's 997 Turbo S Cabriolet, she hasn't looked back, save perhaps for the odd drive in the other Porsche in the family, a Carrera 3.2 Supersport
Words and photography: Brett Fraser
The 3.2 Supersport Cab has a mere i7,goo-miles on the clock. In white, with BBS split rim wheels, it really is a piece of the '80s
There's a delicious irony to the fact that a family that has made its fortune in the pig trade should have a couple of prime Porkers sitting in the farmyard. And rare breeds at that - a 1989 911 Carrera Supersport Cabriolet, of which just 45 right-hookers were produced, and a 997 Turbo S Cabriolet from a 2010 litter, of which a mere 117 were sold in the UK.
We're here today to see the latter, owned by Juliette "Jules" Easey, and it comes as a bit of surprise to see it in the company of the Supersport. With disarming modesty, Jules is in two minds as to whether she should have gotten the older 911 out of the garage - 'I wasn't really sure if it would be of any interest to you, and I can put it away again if you don't want it in the pictures.' Actually, Jules, we're quite excited to see it on the driveway, and are more than happy for you to leave it where it is...
The Supersport belongs to Jules husband, Malcolm, whose agricultural company, Easey Pigs, is well known throughout East Anglia and beyond. The drop-top Carrera appears in spectacular condition and when we comment on that fact, Jules explains that the car has only done 17,900 miles. And then when we opine that Malcolm did well to find a car in such brilliant condition and with so few miles, Jules puts us straight: 'Actually Malcolm has had the Supersport since new! He's always had a special fondness for Porsches despite not ever owning very many of them, and the Supersport really only gets used on high days and holidays, hence the low mileage. He's utterly fastidious in its care though, and whatever needs doing gets done.'
As you might expect, the Supersport's bodywork is flawless and the interior looks like new. Jules can't remember if the black-spoked BBS alloys were ordered new with the car or whether they were an optional afterthought, but they give the Supersport an "of the era" appearance and set it apart from all its Fuchs-shod contemporaries.
As it's obviously a treasured possession, does Jules ever get to drive the Supersport? 'I drove it only last week, she says. 'I am absolutely the world s worst passenger - just ask Malcolm - so I tend to drive everywhere as it keeps the peace. Besides which, Malcolm is always on the phone doing business. Compared with my Turbo S the Supersport is a completely different kettle of fish. Obviously it contains far less technology, yet it's superbly trustworthy: you always know where you're going with it.
Jules is clearly a keen driver and while her Turbo S Cab is a real gleamer, the paint around the inner lips of the wheel-arches is chipped and a few little bits of under-body trim have fallen victim to hard road miles. And then there's the fact that with a fairly meagre 11,000 miles on the odometer, Jules' car is on its second set of tyres.
'I really love speed, she confesses, and I use the Turbo whenever I can. It's not quite an everyday car, though, because I have a dog and as much as I adore him, he's not going in the Porsche! I have a Smart for dog carrying duties, and while its semi-automatic gearbox is pretty dreadful, the car fulfils its purpose.'
Jules' interest in cars started at a very early age. 'I started driving aged eight. A friend of mine, Beverley Fiske, her father Derek Fiske was a Hot Rod champion, and she had access to various cars that we could storm around the fields behind her house. I used to invest all my pocket money in petrol. A bit later on my father, who was a haulier, let me drive his pool cars around the yard, and it was strange how some of those cars ended up minus wing mirrors or with broken headlights...
'I passed my driving test a week after my 17th birthday -1 took one of those intensive weeklong courses and it worked. My first car was a Mini 850 that was later replaced by a Mini 1100. After that came a Mki Ford Capri, a yellow 1600 that was affectionately known as Fyffe, as in the banana company. I had a Cita^n 2CV when I lived in London for a while, and then a Triumph Spitfire 1500 that was the biggest pile of trouble I ever bought. Afterwards came a VW Scirocco, a white one that kicked off my fondness for white cars, and a bit later on an XR3i, also in white.
'The first car that Malcolm bought for me was a Mercedes SL500, which was quite old but didn't have many miles on it. I enjoyed it and everyone smiled and waved when I drove by, but it was somewhat roly-poly on challenging roads, not as tight as I would like. It eventually made way for an Audi TT 225 quattro: when he sees the value of those old Mercs now, Malcolm still wonders if that was such a great decision! But another Merc, a CLK, replaced the TT, and after that came a more modern SL350.
And then there was the SL55 AMG... It was outrageously good, stupendously fast, I thought I'd never tire of it. I got into more trouble in it than I've ever done in the Porsche: it didn't stick to the road with
as much tenacity as the Turbo S does, and had a frisky bottom. Still, I had the AMG for three years, was very happy with it and had no intention of changing it.
'But then Malcolm tempted me with the Turbo S [seemingly ordered with just about every option including carbon interior package, Sport Chrono, PDK transmission and PCCB discs]. It was his car originally. He'd hankered after one for a while but they were extremely rare; when one finally did materialise he felt compelled to buy it. A while later something else caught his eye, but he didn't want the Porsche to leave the family and so suggested that I took it and he sold
the AMG.
At first the idea didn't really appeal, but then I drove the Porsche... I never thought for one moment that he'd really give it to me - he still loves to drive it and I occasionally let him if he pays me enough.
'Living on a farm in the heart of rural countryside, the four-wheel drive makes a world of difference: it also gives the Turbo more composure and a greater sense of driver confidence than I got with the SL. The sheer speed of the thing and the way it accelerates is utterly sensational. The noise it makes is fabulous, too, especially roof down through long tunnels.
'I have to confess that I never use the flappy paddles of the PDK gearbox - I don't see the need as the 'box seems to know what it's doing without my intervention. I seldom use the Sport or Sport Plus buttons, either, as the Turbo never feels short of speed, but I occasionally make an exception when there's a boy racer up my bum.'
Talking of racers, has Jules ever taken the Turbo S onto the track? 'In a manner of speaking. Last year (2013) as part of the 911's 50th anniversary celebrations in the UK, we joined the 911-strong convoy setting a world record on the Silverstone circuit - Malcolm has since stolen the commemorative sticker given to participants and put it on the Supersport. But I've never been to a trackday: I would like to go around a circuit in it, though, and be shown by a professional precisely what my car is capable of.'
And what about long journeys, epic adventures? 'Do you know, we haven't been very far in the Turbo at all,' confesses Jules. 'It's only been about as far as London
- isn't that sad? The trouble is, when we go away we don't travel light - not in the slightest - and the Porsche doesn't have a big enough boot. We're very lucky, too, in that Malcolm also owns a Bentley GTC that will not only accommodate our luggage, but is supremely comfortable, too.
'But if I'm heading the 100 miles south to stay with friends in London I will always take the Turbo S and I never worry about parking it in the street: there's no point in having a car if you don't use it. And while I do garage it at home, the Porsche is a year-round car in our household.'
Not that you'd really expect any serious issues with an 11,000-mile Porsche, but to date the Turbo S has been largely problem-free, except for the Road Angel speed camera detector interfering with radio reception. And with such low mileage there's not been much contact with the dealer network. 'We have had it serviced with Porsche Colchester,' reveals Jules, 'and they seemed pretty good. They even came up here to collect the car, which is about an 80-mile round trip, and I was grateful for that fact.
Jules is grateful to Malcolm, too. 'I have my very generous husband to thank for this car and I see myself hanging on to it for a very long time - to be honest, I've yet to see anything else that would be a worthy replacement. I simply adore driving the Porsche and it certainly satisfies my craving for speed.
This is one fully loaded machine. Not only is it S specced, but it features the full carbon pack, those lovely centre-lock wheels and carbon ceramic brakes. There can't be many quicker ways of getting around the countryside
Words and photography: Brett Fraser
There's a delicious irony to the fact that a family that has made its fortune in the pig trade should have a couple of prime Porkers sitting in the farmyard. And rare breeds at that - a 1989 911 Carrera Supersport Cabriolet, of which just 45 right-hookers were produced, and a 997 Turbo S Cabriolet from a 2010 litter, of which a mere 117 were sold in the UK.
We're here today to see the latter, owned by Juliette "Jules" Easey, and it comes as a bit of surprise to see it in the company of the Supersport. With disarming modesty, Jules is in two minds as to whether she should have gotten the older 911 out of the garage - 'I wasn't really sure if it would be of any interest to you, and I can put it away again if you don't want it in the pictures.' Actually, Jules, we're quite excited to see it on the driveway, and are more than happy for you to leave it where it is...
The Supersport belongs to Jules husband, Malcolm, whose agricultural company, Easey Pigs, is well known throughout East Anglia and beyond. The drop-top Carrera appears in spectacular condition and when we comment on that fact, Jules explains that the car has only done 17,900 miles. And then when we opine that Malcolm did well to find a car in such brilliant condition and with so few miles, Jules puts us straight: 'Actually Malcolm has had the Supersport since new! He's always had a special fondness for Porsches despite not ever owning very many of them, and the Supersport really only gets used on high days and holidays, hence the low mileage. He's utterly fastidious in its care though, and whatever needs doing gets done.'
As you might expect, the Supersport's bodywork is flawless and the interior looks like new. Jules can't remember if the black-spoked BBS alloys were ordered new with the car or whether they were an optional afterthought, but they give the Supersport an "of the era" appearance and set it apart from all its Fuchs-shod contemporaries.
As it's obviously a treasured possession, does Jules ever get to drive the Supersport? 'I drove it only last week, she says. 'I am absolutely the world s worst passenger - just ask Malcolm - so I tend to drive everywhere as it keeps the peace. Besides which, Malcolm is always on the phone doing business. Compared with my Turbo S the Supersport is a completely different kettle of fish. Obviously it contains far less technology, yet it's superbly trustworthy: you always know where you're going with it.
Jules is clearly a keen driver and while her Turbo S Cab is a real gleamer, the paint around the inner lips of the wheel-arches is chipped and a few little bits of under-body trim have fallen victim to hard road miles. And then there's the fact that with a fairly meagre 11,000 miles on the odometer, Jules' car is on its second set of tyres.
'I really love speed, she confesses, and I use the Turbo whenever I can. It's not quite an everyday car, though, because I have a dog and as much as I adore him, he's not going in the Porsche! I have a Smart for dog carrying duties, and while its semi-automatic gearbox is pretty dreadful, the car fulfils its purpose.'
Jules' interest in cars started at a very early age. 'I started driving aged eight. A friend of mine, Beverley Fiske, her father Derek Fiske was a Hot Rod champion, and she had access to various cars that we could storm around the fields behind her house. I used to invest all my pocket money in petrol. A bit later on my father, who was a haulier, let me drive his pool cars around the yard, and it was strange how some of those cars ended up minus wing mirrors or with broken headlights...
'I passed my driving test a week after my 17th birthday -1 took one of those intensive weeklong courses and it worked. My first car was a Mini 850 that was later replaced by a Mini 1100. After that came a Mki Ford Capri, a yellow 1600 that was affectionately known as Fyffe, as in the banana company. I had a Cita^n 2CV when I lived in London for a while, and then a Triumph Spitfire 1500 that was the biggest pile of trouble I ever bought. Afterwards came a VW Scirocco, a white one that kicked off my fondness for white cars, and a bit later on an XR3i, also in white.
'The first car that Malcolm bought for me was a Mercedes SL500, which was quite old but didn't have many miles on it. I enjoyed it and everyone smiled and waved when I drove by, but it was somewhat roly-poly on challenging roads, not as tight as I would like. It eventually made way for an Audi TT 225 quattro: when he sees the value of those old Mercs now, Malcolm still wonders if that was such a great decision! But another Merc, a CLK, replaced the TT, and after that came a more modern SL350.
And then there was the SL55 AMG... It was outrageously good, stupendously fast, I thought I'd never tire of it. I got into more trouble in it than I've ever done in the Porsche: it didn't stick to the road with
'But then Malcolm tempted me with the Turbo S [seemingly ordered with just about every option including carbon interior package, Sport Chrono, PDK transmission and PCCB discs]. It was his car originally. He'd hankered after one for a while but they were extremely rare; when one finally did materialise he felt compelled to buy it. A while later something else caught his eye, but he didn't want the Porsche to leave the family and so suggested that I took it and he sold
the AMG.
At first the idea didn't really appeal, but then I drove the Porsche... I never thought for one moment that he'd really give it to me - he still loves to drive it and I occasionally let him if he pays me enough.
'Living on a farm in the heart of rural countryside, the four-wheel drive makes a world of difference: it also gives the Turbo more composure and a greater sense of driver confidence than I got with the SL. The sheer speed of the thing and the way it accelerates is utterly sensational. The noise it makes is fabulous, too, especially roof down through long tunnels.
'I have to confess that I never use the flappy paddles of the PDK gearbox - I don't see the need as the 'box seems to know what it's doing without my intervention. I seldom use the Sport or Sport Plus buttons, either, as the Turbo never feels short of speed, but I occasionally make an exception when there's a boy racer up my bum.'
Talking of racers, has Jules ever taken the Turbo S onto the track? 'In a manner of speaking. Last year (2013) as part of the 911's 50th anniversary celebrations in the UK, we joined the 911-strong convoy setting a world record on the Silverstone circuit - Malcolm has since stolen the commemorative sticker given to participants and put it on the Supersport. But I've never been to a trackday: I would like to go around a circuit in it, though, and be shown by a professional precisely what my car is capable of.'
And what about long journeys, epic adventures? 'Do you know, we haven't been very far in the Turbo at all,' confesses Jules. 'It's only been about as far as London
- isn't that sad? The trouble is, when we go away we don't travel light - not in the slightest - and the Porsche doesn't have a big enough boot. We're very lucky, too, in that Malcolm also owns a Bentley GTC that will not only accommodate our luggage, but is supremely comfortable, too.
'But if I'm heading the 100 miles south to stay with friends in London I will always take the Turbo S and I never worry about parking it in the street: there's no point in having a car if you don't use it. And while I do garage it at home, the Porsche is a year-round car in our household.'
Not that you'd really expect any serious issues with an 11,000-mile Porsche, but to date the Turbo S has been largely problem-free, except for the Road Angel speed camera detector interfering with radio reception. And with such low mileage there's not been much contact with the dealer network. 'We have had it serviced with Porsche Colchester,' reveals Jules, 'and they seemed pretty good. They even came up here to collect the car, which is about an 80-mile round trip, and I was grateful for that fact.
Jules is grateful to Malcolm, too. 'I have my very generous husband to thank for this car and I see myself hanging on to it for a very long time - to be honest, I've yet to see anything else that would be a worthy replacement. I simply adore driving the Porsche and it certainly satisfies my craving for speed.
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