1986 Porsche 944 Turbo

Highlights

• Looks stunning and very ‘80s in Alpine White with white leather
• Only three owners from new
• It’s covered just 1,200 miles in the last ten years
• Very original – even down to the pull-out Panasonic radio/ cassette
• Stacks of history, original book pack and two keys

Overview

We all know the Porsche 944 story. Its origins lay in the joint VW/ Porsche project to produce a headline-grabbing sports car for VW and an entry-level sports car for Porsche – to replace its 914. Porsche would develop the car, because that’s what Porsche had historically done for VW anyway, and it would be built at the ex-NSU plant in Neckarsulm. Various things happened to change the course of history but, basically, VW got cold feet. It decided to can the project and rely instead on the cheaper Scirocco to sate its customers’ sports car needs.

Porsche still needed a new model, though, so did a deal to buy the rights for the project. It became the Porsche 924, of course, which sold well, but was always dogged by the ‘it’s not a proper Porsche’ tag because of its 2.0-litre Audi 100-based four-cylinder motor. So in 1985 Porsche produced the 944. Finally, here was a ‘proper’ Porsche. After all, it had the missing link: a Porsche-developed 2.5-litre all-alloy four-cylinder, and with twin counter-rotating balancer shafts to make it smooth as a knob of warm butter, too. And instead of the original 924’s neat but dainty looks, the 944 aped the 924 Carrera GT’s butchness, but with more gainly, gracefully integrated wheel-arch extensions.

It was a car that chimed with the ‘80s yuppie zeitgeist beautifully – especially when, in 1986, the mighty 944 Turbo arrived. Now the 944 boasted 220hp for a sub-six-second 0-60mph time. On top of that it had Brembo brakes from the 911, a more cohesive and aerodynamic nose and a sexy rear diffuser. Plus, a new dashboard. Known as the oval dash, it looked ultra-modern and ergonomic. And we have a lovely, clean example of one for you here.

This early 944 Turbo has clearly been cherished by its three previous owners. It's finished in Alpine White with a partly re-trimmed white leather interior and the earlier-style ‘telephone dial’ wheels. It comes with stacks of history and has, we’re told, always been garaged. Judging by its condition, that claim rings true. It’s largely original, too, including that Panasonic off-the-time pullout radio/cassette unit (with full logic control, folks).

This car’s covered just over 1,200 miles in the previous ten years, so it’s crying out for someone to drive it like a 944 Turbo should be driven. And if you fancy a genuine but affordable ‘80s icon, this is an opportunity not to be missed…

History and documentation

• V5 included
• Declared new at first registered on 6th August 1986
• MOT’s until 28th August 2024
• Original purchase invoice included along with subsequent sales invoice from 1992
• Supplied with two keys – one being the original Porsche torch key
• Comes with the original book wallet including the owner’s manual and service book
• The mileage at the time it was photographed was 89,298 miles
• Service book stamped by a mix of Porsche and Porsche specialist service centres from 1986 and 1,574 miles through to 1994 and 68,000 miles
• All the servicing and repair invoices from 1992 to 2019
• This car’s covered only 1,200 miles since 2014
• Will be ULEZ exempt in a couple of years

Interior

• This ‘oval dash’ Turbo looks much tidier than the earlier 944 dashboard, with clear dials that include the all-important boost gauge plus oil pressure and voltmeter
• The vendor says that all the equipment is working as it should do
• Period Panasonic pullout head unit is a nice, seemingly original touch
• Luxury spec for the mid-eighties includes climate control, electric windows and an electrically operated tilting sunroof
• Front seats were re-trimmed within the last ten years and still seem in good condition
• Rear seats show some wear and tear but that’s consummate with the car’s age
• Dashboard and door cards are in good condition with no obvious defects
• Unlike most 944s of this age, the leather-trimmed gear lever looks in great condition – these tend to go threadbare
• Same can be said for the leather-trimmed steering wheel – other than light wear it appears to be in good nick

Exterior

• The Alpine White paintwork is classic ‘80s and makes this car stand out today
• Iconic ‘telephone dial’ 16-inch alloys denote this as an early 220hp model – all four look to be in great condition and have coloured Porsche-crest centre caps
• The introduction of the Turbo brought with it a neater, more aerodynamic front end with integrated indicators, driving lamps and fog lamps. This one has plastic guards to protect the front lenses
• Foam rear boot spoiler in black, and the body-coloured lower diffuser panel underneath the rear bumper was, at the time, a unique Turbo addition
• Single but oh-so-sizeable chrome-tipped exhaust looks the business
• Generally, the paintwork is in fine condition for the age – just the odd blemish here and there. And the owner says that the car is always garaged and covered
• All the door shuts look clean – a sign that this car’s been looked after – even the lock clasps and screw heads have retained most of their factory shine
• Despite being clearly pampered, this 944 Turbo isn’t perfect. It’s nearly 40-years old, though, so unsurprisingly there’s some bubbling around the sills – most obviously at the edges. This should be a relatively straightforward job for its next owner to tackle
• The underside of a car this age could be a scary sight, but not here. This 944 appears to be solid underneath with good underseal and little rust. The rear transaxle unit looks dry on the outside, too

Mechanical

• 2.5-litre M44/51 four-cylinder all-alloy turbocharged engine producing 220hp
• Five-speed, rear-mounted gearbox
• Brembo four-piston monobloc calipers
• The owner reports that there are no serious mechanical issues
• The current MOT has a few advisories to be aware of, but they’ve remained just advisories for the last few years (the car’s barely been used over that time). These include legal but worn front tyres, an oil leak, which is described as not excessive, and some slight play in the steering rack
• Under the bonnet the engine looks remarkably clean and tidy with no worrying corrosion anywhere that we can see
• We’re told that the battery is kept charged at all times when the car’s not being used
• The vendor also reports that the car starts first time and that the engine sounds good with no rattles

Summary

The Porsche 944 Turbo is a proper ‘80s icon, and it still looks the part today. Of its time, certainly, but thanks to the handsome underlying 924 shape combined with the big arches and neater front end of the turbo, it’s still a looker. And, unlike some other icons from the period, it shouldn’t feel like a near-40-year-old car to drive, either.

This car still offers gutsy performance and, with not far off a 50:50 weight distribution, it has the delicate handling balance 944s have always been famous for. And what a lovely, unmolested example this one is. It looks really tidy, both inside and out, comes with a stack of paperwork and is true to its original spec. With some very light cosmetic work sorted, this Turbo could be a real show-stopper for years to come.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Duffield, Derbyshire.