1988 PORSCHE 944 TURBO

Incredibly well cared-for and well-presented, this low-mileage Porsche 944 Turbo is an excellent example of the brand’s stylish front-engined sports car. It is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, which produces 217bhp at 6,000rpm, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. The odometer indicates just 52,650 miles from new.

Released in 1982 as a development of the Porsche 924, the 944’s improved performance and updated styling helped it to become the marque’s most successful sports car in terms of sales, until the introduction of the Boxster and subsequently the 997 Carrera many years later. First registered in June 1988, this 944 Turbo has five previous registered keepers.

Both the sleek, aerodynamic bodywork and the car’s Midnight Blue paintwork are in excellent overall condition. The seller notes only small marks, including minor blemishes to the edges of the nose, where it meets the edges of the pop-up headlights. There is also slight scratching to the passenger-side wing mirror; however this is minimal and should be straightforward to rectify. The seller states that some areas were resprayed to correct small amounts of cosmetic damage, which was caused while the car was off the road between 2006 and 2016.

It rides on its original 16-inch forged and polished alloy wheels, a factory option which perfectly complements the late-1980s styling. All four wheels are in very good condition and include their original matching centre caps. There is some modest surface corrosion on the wheel facings, but a thorough should bring them back to excellent order.

Inside, the all-black interior provides the kind of understated styling and ergonomic design that Porsche is still known for to this day. While this 944 Turbo originally left the factory with a beige interior, the seller commissioned a professional £3,000 re-trim in black leather throughout, to the correct style. There is a smooth finish on the seats, with the front seats also featuring perforated centre sections. A factory sunroof is also present, allowing additional fresh air to be brought into the cabin – a particularly useful feature when driving during the warm summer months.

As noted by the seller, the interior upholstery and trim are all in excellent condition, with no visible signs of damage or wear, and all of the black carpeting is in great shape. All of the electrical items are in full working order, and the current owner has fitted a VDO radio head-unit, providing DAB digital radio, a CD player, USB input and Bluetooth connectivity.

As with the aesthetic elements of the car, this 944 Turbo is in fine mechanical health, having been well cared-for over the years. Indeed, its current owner had a major overhaul carried out by specialists CMS Porsche of Telford in August 2017, with work including replacement of the water pump, belt tensioners, offside engine mount, turbo heat shield and anti-roll bar bushes – at a cost of more than £3,350. Its most recent full service was carried out last year, with another previous service in 2018, following on from the extensive work carried out by CMS Porsche.

The car’s last MOT test was carried out on 7 January 2020 at 52,539 miles, where it received a clean pass with no advisories. On review of its past test results, this 944 Turbo has gone many years without a single issue, save one failure in January 2019 due to faulty position lamps. However, this was rectified and the car was retested the same day, where it received an advisory-free pass.

Its wheels are fitted with Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres, which are around three years old and are in good condition, with plenty of remaining tread. The front tyres are size 205/55 R16, while the rear items are 225/50 R16.

The car is accompanied by its original owner’s manual, past MOT certificates from 1996 to 2006 and receipts for recent work, as well as a partial service history. Both keys are also included.

Once something of an unsung hero in Porsche’s history, the 944 Turbo is now rightfully appreciated for its sharp styling, sporty performance and everyday practicality, and its popularity with collectors is also proven. A low-mileage, well-kept example which has been extensively recommissioned, this Porsche 944 Turbo is a usable and thoroughly enjoyable modern classic, which is ready to impress its next owner.

All cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.

Please note: the cherished plate shown on the car is not included in the sale. It will be switched back to an age-related registration plate in the event of a successful auction.