1989 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 3.2 SPORT TARGA

This Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Sport Targa is among the last of the G-series cars built before the 964 generation arrived at the end of 1989. Powered by a 3.2-litre air-cooled flat-six engine, producing around 228bhp and coupled to the G50 five-speed gearbox, it boasts a very desirable specification. The odometer shows 99,167 miles from new.

An original right-hand drive UK car, this 911 was specified from the factory with the ‘Sport Equipment’ dealer package, with the upgraded Bilstein shock absorbers, lightweight forged alloys, a black lip spoiler at the front and the ‘whale tail’ spoiler at the rear.

First registered in March 1989, this Carrera Sport 3.2 is from the last year of production for the ‘impact bumper’ 911s which first appeared in 1973. This car has had six previous registered keepers, and it understood to have had significant recent restoration work, including a fresh engine rebuild. It is now offered by the trade.

The car’s bodywork presents in excellent condition, with only minor imperfections visible in the recently refreshed Baltic Blue paint finish. There is some slight bubbling in the paintwork just ahead of the rubber ribs on the front bumper, while the black Targa roll bar also has one small chip on the upper offside corner. The 16-inch Fuchs alloy wheels are in great shape, and the removable roof panel is in very good condition as well.

Inside, the black leather sport seats are in good order, with a used but not heavily worn appearance. The upper and lower dashboard trim is finished in blue, as are the upper door trims, which subtly creates a more cohesive look for the car. The black door cards also present very well, as do the carpets. The only non-standard feature appears to be an aftermarket head unit. The Targa panel sits straight and flush on its mountings.

As part of recent restoration work, the car received new brake lines and repainted calipers, while the inner wheel arches have been painted to match the bodywork. The engine has also undergone a full rebuild by Carrera Sport, with new pistons and barrels, powder-coated components, zinc-plated bolts and trim, plus a new clutch. This mechanical work has a 12-month warranty on it.

The car has otherwise been maintained in recent years by Precision Porsche in East Sussex, and wears new period-correct Michelin tyres. The seller describes this 911 as having a great service history. The original handbook and toolkit are included in the sale.

Its most recent MOT test was on 9 October 2019 at 99,036 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass with only a few notes and advisories. The nearside rear registration lamp was faulty, the rear tyre valve stems were slightly damaged, and some blue smoke was noticed during acceleration – though evidently this has been attended to given the fresh engine rebuild.

This air-cooled Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 is ready to drive and enjoy, and is sure to attract plenty of attention with its unusual and handsome factory colour. As the values of both many earlier and later models put them out of reach as an ‘everyman’ modern classic, this era in the 911’s history remains a good place to look for something attainable, which exhibits all the qualities that enthusiasts have celebrated for decades.

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.