Out Of Africa

The Abbot name is synonymous with Porsches in South Africa, we find out what makes it tick… 

- Johann Venter

The Abbot workshop is situated on the Beaulieu Country Estate, a stone’s throw away from the Kyalami race track. Entering the estate is like traversing into a parallel universe, tranquil and picturesque, away from the hustle and bustle which occupies every corner of this megalopolis, known as Gauteng. Beaulieu is renowned for its equestrian lifestyle, there are plenty of studs to admire as I find my way to the Abbots. What I am really after though, are horses of the mechanical kind, found at the back of a Porsche, being fettled and tweaked by the foremost independent Porsche specialist in South Africa. And so I enter an alternate universe, an air-cooled wonderland. The Abbot premises are filled with Porsches in various stages of repair and restoration, from 356s to 993s. John Abbot senior, his son, Tim, and wife Judy Abbot soon appear.

Judy explains the family obession with cars: “There were always cars involved in the family, it is who we are... John started his own business in the early 1970s, so we looked for a garage to buy. We found a Shell petrol station in Bertrams, on the eastern outskirts of Johannesburg. We started off doing general maintenance and repairs to all makes of cars, but then I acquired my first Porsche 911, a 1974 Carrera...”

Tim adds his voice: “Shortly thereafter we swapped a 356B for a 1953, 356 pre-A. The car was in a very dilapidated state, it was the first Porsche we restored. By then we had become members of the Porsche Club and more Porsche owners became aware of us.”

Judy interjects: “That also changed the dynamics in our showroom as we switched to selling only second-hand Porsches.”