Robert McGowan, author

THE first time I ever saw a Porsche, in 1986, I was 12 years old and out for a walk in Bearsden with my family. I remember seeing this beautiful car. I was utterly mesmerised. It was the most expensive and unattainable car I had ever laid eyes on. The car's headlights were facing me, they looked like big frog eyes and the grill at the front looked like a big smile. It was as if the car was looking right at me, grinning. I was awestruck.

Owning a Porsche was an ultimate fantasy for me at the time. I grew up on a council estate in Knightswood – we didn't even have a family car. I became obsessed, boring all my friends in school about my ultimate fantasy, even drawing them and building models in my spare time.

My mum said to me, "you'll have a car like that one day, son." Fast forward about 20 years and the first Porsche I bought was an exact match to the one I saw on that walk, a shiny, red 911 Targa Sport.

It seems unusual for someone in his or her early thirties to buy such an old model from the 1980s but I've always liked more interesting cars. When I went on my first ever drive in that 911 Targa Sport it was just amazing. The sound of the air-cooled engine as I flew along the boulevards at Loch Lomond was like a raucous, racing car sound and the first thing I felt was my body getting hugged into the seat as the car raced towards the red light. It was like the Millennium Falcon going at hyper speed.

My favourite route to drive is from Bearsden to The Rest and Be Thankful. The route through Balloch, Luss and Loch Lomond is so scenic. I never listen to the radio when driving, I much prefer basking in the car's sound. It produces a mechanical symphony of noise – it gives me tingles down my back.

There are so many common misconceptions about Porsche drivers, people seem to automatically think that if you've got a Porsche that must mean you have money or that you are a poser. This is absolutely not true. The community of Porsche enthusiasts that I have met is made up of the kindest and most welcoming group of ordinary people who are always on hand to offer help and advice.

Following my dream of Porsche ownership has opened up so many new doors for me. Not only has it led to social opportunities where I can connect with fellow Porsche owners, it has also opened up a whole new career for me in writing my book, an affordable guide on how to buy and run a Porsche.

One of the main themes throughout the book is that by simply following your dreams, whatever they are, it can unlock so many opportunities. It's so heartwarming to hear how much the book has inspired people from all over the world to buy their first Porsche.

Porsche 911: The Practically Free Supercar by Robert McGowan is published by Starbunker, priced £12.87

RACHEL AUNGSOE