7/12/1943 – 20/4/2024
Steve’s love of motoring started with rallying, his first rally car a Hillman Imp in the late ‘60’s/early ‘70’s. Through his rallying contacts he got a job as Test Engineer with Glacier Bearings, where he met fellow employee Josh Sadler. Together, with help from their respective wives Pauline and Sue, they went on to establish Autofarm Porsche Specialists in early 1973.
Whilst developing Autofarm as a business was very labour intensive, it did enable Steve to get back into rallying, this time with a competitive Porsche 911. The Irish Tarmac rallies proved the most attractive route, and in the late '70s Steve competed in several events in Ireland, with a couple of top ten finishes in the major Internationals.
In 1978 Steve met and later married Gina, with two sons, Dan and Ben, arriving in the early ‘80s. International rallying became a luxury too far, but Steve had already become interested in flying, obtaining his Private Pilot’s Licence some years earlier. He acquired a single engine Piper Cherokee - a previous insurance write-off of course - and took to the air. The Piper was soon traded in for a twin-engine Partenavia, which was hired out whenever possible to cover costs. Steve also upgraded his PPL to a full Commercial Pilot’s licence with instrument rating, which enabled many continental ‘shopping trips’ in the ‘80s for Porsche parts. He would also go on to achieve his full hot air balloon Pilot’s Licence.
In 1987 Autofarm moved premises from Amersham, to a new facility near Tring, a very labour intensive challenge which included taking on Saab and Suzuki franchises. This provided Steve with another new challenge, as he took over the sales side of the growing business. Sadly this didn’t last long, following a financial recession 1990 the original Autofarm would close in 1991, a difficult time. Ever resourceful, Steve carried on with second-hand Porsche sales, operating from home, although in a very difficult market place.
Steve had been a Porsche Club of Great Britain member since 1972, helping with running WOTYs and concours events. His commitment to PCGB steadily grew and, in 1993, he became the Club’s Administrative Director and, later that year, he took on the role of Club Chief Executive. Following his time with the PCGB Steve was able to apply his automotive and aviation expertise in a successful stint as a consultant for an asset valuation firm, a role which would see him involved in the liquidation of a number of top-tier motor racing teams and airlines.
In 2007 Steve became the MG Car Club’s Competition Secretary, responsible for the club’s motor racing activities. This would include the spectacular MG90 celebration on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, before his retirement in 2014.
Sadly in 2014 Steve was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers, and slowly he drifted away from us. At the age of 80, on April 20th 2024 he was released from a tragically difficult time and passed away in his sleep.
Written by Josh Sadler