2004 Porsche 911 Turbo X50

Complete with the wonderfully appropriate registration number ‘X50VBG’, this 2004 Porsche 911 Turbo convertible has the X50 power upgrade. With the all-wheel-drive chassis and manual six-speed gearbox plus both hard and soft tops, it’s an all-weather, all-season 444bhp convertible supercar.

The Arctic Silver Metallic (L92U) coachwork is stunning, as is the black leather interior; this is a very well specified example that almost certainly has every single option you’d like on your dream 911.

It’s also been in the same hands since 2013, has covered fewer than 52,000 miles in total, and has been meticulously maintained and serviced since Day One.

Arctic Silver Metallic became iconic for a very good reason and nowhere is that reason more obvious than here: it’s a colour that allows the Porsche’s shape to shine, both literally and figuratively and it gives the German supercar a hewn-from-solid look that suits its undramatic purposeful design.

It helps, of course, if it’s all in a good condition and you need have no fears on that score here because this one presents beautifully. With ripple-free flanks, unmarked corners, and great shutlines, it tells of nothing but a life lived both gently and well.

It also – unusually – comes with a matching Arctic Silver hard-top for the ultimate in versatility. This is not only rare but is in an excellent condition, further raising the desirability of an already very desirable sportscar.

The black fabric roof might be a little creased and marked but there’s no arguing with its condition, which is excellent. Free of rips, tears, and other damage, it rising and falls on command, sealing tightly when it is up and tucking away neatly when it isn’t.

The open design of the five-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels allows you to admire the red brake calipers and cross-drilled discs. Assuming, that is, you can drag your eyes away from the wheels themselves, which are in an exceptionally good condition.

They also fitted with matching tyres, 225/40ZR18 Continental Sport Contact 2 on the front and matching 295/30ZR18 on the rear.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The details are as good as everything else. With bright and undamaged lamp lenses, unmarked glazing, and great badges, the 911 withstands close inspection.

If you’re very demanding then you might like to change the centre caps on the wheels but apart from that we can’t see anything you might want to improve.

If Arctic Silver is an iconic colour for the 911’s coachwork then black leather has the same cachet inside. Understated, it looks as good as it lasts, allowing the 911 to wear its years lightly.

Silver accents and red seat belts prevent any gloominess, so the ambience is every bit as special as you’d hope.

The front seats, which are electrically adjustable and heated, are excellent. Comfortable and yet hugely supportive, only very light creasing mars the finish – but the creasing is so light we doubt anyone is going to take issue with them.

The rear seats are in an even better condition and while the available legroom isn’t vast, they are usable and also fold down to provide useful luggage space when there’s just the two of you.

A matching leather steering wheel adds a nicely tactile element but then the 911 always has been a very tactile car to drive.

The (very good) door cards play home to airbags and part of the extensive Bose speaker system, a set up that ensures high-fidelity sound when you’re not enjoying the wailing flat-six engine.

The dashboard is a model of clarity and the instruments and switches are bright and clear and way more ergonomic than those of previous generations.

A removeable wind deflector makes for ruffle-free motoring with the roof down and the frunk contains a hard-wired cable for the CTEK battery management system that’s included. It’s also home to the space saver spare wheel, a warning triangle, and tool kit.

As for flaws, the frunk could do with a vacuum but that’s about it.

The 911 fires into life with its characteristic lack of fuss and drama (it leaves that sort of thing to the Italians…). It shows good oil pressure too, plus a healthy charge.

Mind you, it’s been fettled with uncommon care, so the engine’s rude good health shouldn’t come as a surprise:

• 27.03.2006 and 11,775 miles – service plus fresh brake fluid by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 16.03.2007 and 17,122 miles – service including new spark plugs by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 02.03.2009 and 24,920 miles – service plus fresh brake fluid by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 09.02.2011 and 31,190 miles – service plus fresh brake fluid by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 01.02.2013 and 38,048 miles – service plus fresh brake fluid by Porsche Centre Colchester
• 15.10.2014 and 43,953 miles – service plus fresh brake fluid by RJS Sports Cars, independent Porsche specialist
• 02.11.2016 and 46,346 miles – service plus fresh brake fluid, coolant, and a new actuator rod by RJS Sports Cars, independent Porsche specialist at a cost of £1,427
• 02.01.2019 and 48,602 miles – service plus fresh brake fluid by RJS Sports Cars, independent Porsche specialist
• 04.11.2020 and 50,427 miles – service plus fresh brake fluid, new spark plugs, gearbox and front differential oil, and fuel filter by RJS Sports Cars, independent Porsche specialist
• 08.08.2023 and 51,909 miles – service plus fresh brake fluid by RJS Sports Cars, independent Porsche specialist

There are invoices for repairs, too with the three most recent being:

• 23.01.2019 and 48,648 miles – new rear discs and pads plus suspension top mounts and wheel alignment by RJS Sports Cars at a cost of £1,803
• 26.10.2021 and 50,694 miles – fit new clutch plus new bushes, operating shaft and seals, and shaft end bearings by RJS Sports Cars at a cost of £2,335
• 17.07.2023 and 51,772 miles – remove engine to replace leaking coolant housing by RJS Sports Cars at a cost of £2,471

The 911’s MoT certificate is valid until July 2024. It was a clear pass bar an observation that the two front tyres will need replacing shortly.

The Porsche comes with the well-stamped service history booklet we reference above plus the rest of the book pack and wallet. Numerous old invoices too, as well as lots of old MoT certificates and two keys.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear. Obviously.

If you’re in the market for one of these then you know how good a good one can be – and with four-wheel-drive and 444bhp at your disposal, few cars are better at dispatching a race track with the same ease as a thousand miles of autobahn.

This one further raises the bar with a low mileage, an impeccable service history, and a hard top in addition to the standard fabric roof.

Dial in what might just be the best colour combination of them all and just 52,000 miles under its belt and you’ve got what most people would consider the perfect example of a turbocharged 996.

And you thought Christmas only came once a year…

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.