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RL Community Team 993 whisperer Lifetime Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 12,876
Likes: 39
From: Navarre, FL
NW Florida Mechanic?
I am looking for an independent shop that specializes in Porsches, especially one who is a PCA member that really loves these cars. I live in Santa Rosa County, in Navarre, right near the border of Okaloosa County. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!
Two options in the area...Mark's Autowerks on Beal just north of 98 is close. Harry Williams Imports in Pensacola is the other, a longer drive from you. Both are great mechanics...Mark is hard to get hold of and can take some time, but the work quality has always been excellent. The new dealership in Destin had a very experienced mechanic named Michael but he recently left. Doesn't sound like they have a mechanic that knows the old cars since Michael left. Let me know if you need more info.
RL Community Team 993 whisperer Lifetime Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 12,876
Likes: 39
From: Navarre, FL
Thanks a TON for that info! Not far at all from where I live. Let's just say, I can hear the C-130s at night (and love it). Sounds like I've got myself a new mechanic.
Have you joined the local PCA yet? It's a pretty good group of people. There are also a couple of PCA members that are in pretty heavy into racing that you might be interested in meeting up with. Always good to see new Porsche owners in the area!
RL Community Team 993 whisperer Lifetime Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 12,876
Likes: 39
From: Navarre, FL
Hey Robert . . . I sent off for the sign-up materials for PCA. I was gonna do it over the phone (the website was down), but when she asked for my credit card number over my cell phone, I felt it was safer to just send in the forms. But yes, I will be a PCA member very soon.
I have chosen to try out the guy in Ft. Walton Beach, as that is the closest location to where I am in Navarre (basically the border between Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties). I race myself, in the Spec Miata series, so I would DEFINITELY be interested in getting in touch with race folks. I would also love to host a tech day sometime soon. I know very little at this point about this car, but I have traditionally been a DIY'er to the core, so I hope to do the same with my Porsche. There is just SO much to learn! I love it!
If you are ever in Panama City Stop by and say Hi!
Our shop maintains about 15-20 race cars. We are a full service shop (chassis dyno, scales, etc.). We offer transportation and track side support as well.
We sponser both the Northwesrt Florida PCA , Destin club and host a couple of track days a year.
In short I Race and am car nut !
I'm not trying to promote my shop just letting you know what we can do.
If you need some free advise or just want to B-S about cars or racing , give me a call 850 769 9500 or stop by.
Thanks
Dave
Harry Williams is the shop that 96 Cab was serviced at. He was a good guy to talk with, especially when you remember I was calling about someone else's car. I don't know if the car is going to be mine since I start jury duty Monday and the seller is leaving for South America after that - before I can get down there to even look at the car. Hopefully he won't sell it and email me when he gets back.
Harry worked on my 993 when I lived in Daphne, AL. And he used to be the membership chair of the Shonnenschein region PCA when I lived there. Good guy though the first time you go to his "shop" you may be a little nervous. I was but he is a certified Porsche Mechanic and knows his stuff
If you’re looking specifically for a Porsche-focused independent shop near Navarre / Santa Rosa County, options can be a little limited compared to bigger metro areas. You might want to check within PCA regional listings as well since some smaller specialists don’t advertise heavily online.
If you’re open to driving a bit east toward Panama City Beach, I’ve had good experiences with Dream Coast Auto. They work on European vehicles and are very detail-oriented with diagnostics and maintenance. Not a dealership vibe at all more of a straightforward independent shop that actually explains what’s going on before doing the work.
For air cooled or specialty Porsche builds you may still want to confirm their current Porsche workload, but for general service, suspension, electrical, cooling system work, etc., they’ve been solid.
RL Community Team 993 whisperer Lifetime Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 12,876
Likes: 39
From: Navarre, FL
Originally Posted by Bs Roxy
If you’re looking specifically for a Porsche-focused independent shop near Navarre / Santa Rosa County, options can be a little limited compared to bigger metro areas. You might want to check within PCA regional listings as well since some smaller specialists don’t advertise heavily online.
If you’re open to driving a bit east toward Panama City Beach, I’ve had good experiences with Dream Coast Auto. They work on European vehicles and are very detail-oriented with diagnostics and maintenance. Not a dealership vibe at all more of a straightforward independent shop that actually explains what’s going on before doing the work.
For air cooled or specialty Porsche builds you may still want to confirm their current Porsche workload, but for general service, suspension, electrical, cooling system work, etc., they’ve been solid.
Hope that helps.
Thanks so much! This original post was from 2009 and I have found several great shops above. I now go to a guy right here in Navarre (Mary Esther). I "interviewed" him and he is my new ticket to great local service on my boys. WELCOME to Rennlist, by the way!
I haven't had to use him, but Smith Motor Works is legit. I stopped by their shop one day and Dave walked me through the shop and their engine building room. I think that if my engine ever needs anything internal, that's where it will be going.
Porsche Mobile has an extremely knowledgeable long-time Porsche mechanic and are happy to have classic business. Their prices are pretty fair.
Jordan Automotive (Daphne, AL) did all the work on my 986 for the prior owner and did a PPI and alignment for me. I was really happy with their communication and he seems to know older Porsches also.
Now if I can just find a body shop to fix my windshield rust spot.
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