1989 Porsche 911

This late Carrera 3.2 (registered on the 2nd May 1989) has been in the care of its current owner for the past decade, during which time he has invested a considerable amount of time and money to bring it to the condition you see today.

That work includes a bare-metal respray, a top-end engine rebuild, and refurbished wheels and targa top. As a result, it’s in fine fettle and is ready for the show season, inter-continental jaunts or just the odd gentle run to the coast on a sunny day.

Also, as a Targa, it offers all the security and snugness of the coupe alongside the wind-in-the-hair thrills of a convertible; after years in the automotive wilderness, the Targa has finally come of age and has taken its rightful place as one of the most desirable 911s of them all.

And this is a very desirable Porsche 911 Targa; the owner has only driven it approximately 7,000 miles in the ten years he’s owned it, always kept it covered and garaged, and never taken it out in the wet. He is also – and we don’t think he’ll mind us saying it – somewhere near the end of the OCD spectrum, as you can see from the sheer number of photographs in the documents section of gallery. He is, in other words, One Of Us and just the sort of chap you should buy a classic Porsche from.

A bare-metal respray and full service in 2016 might have set the owner back almost £9,000 but it was money well spent in our opinion as it has left the coachwork in stunning condition, which is quite a feat when you consider how unforgiving black can be. It really has to be seen to be believed, so please don’t hesitate to arrange a viewing via the ‘Contact Seller’ button before the end of the auction.

All credit then to the wizards at Club Auto Sport, who managed to get ripple-free flanks, tight, consistent panel shutlines and an even, glossy finish that is completely free of the dreaded ‘orange peel’ finish that haunts cars that have been subjected to anything less than this sort of top-quality work. 

As mentioned, the Fuchs alloy wheels were refurbished at the same time and are fitted with matching tyres, all of which have good tread. Oh, and the owner has had the car Waxoyled twice since he’s had it, most recently in around 2013.

The only work we can see to be done is to condition the two rubber sections of the rear quarter bumpers and, perhaps, detail the engine bay to bring it up to the same high-quality as the rest of the car.

The leather interior, a fetching and distinctive mixture of burgundy and black, is in very good condition indeed; the layout might be a bit haphazard in places (and downright confusing in others; we defy any 911 newbie to set the heating controls first time) but it is almost indestructible. 

And this car is a ringing endorsement of that famous Porsche build quality, remaining free of scuffs, rips, tears and almost any visible marks or other signs of wear after more than two decades and over 100,000 miles; it’s not an exaggeration to say that very little work would be required to bring it up to concours condition.

While the interior is all but perfect, if we were to nit-pick we could point out that the inside of the targa top could do with a bit of a clean and the under-dash wiring is a tiny bit untidy.

A modern headunit has been fitted to improve the sound quality, but the original Blaupunkt Toronto stereo is still available and will come with the car, although it hasn’t been tested.

The flat-six engine’s top-end was rebuilt in 2009 by Club Auto Sport, who fitted new valve guides, timing chains, oil return tubes, piston rings, cylinder head gaskets and a clutch. The subsequent rolling road session in 2010 put the power at a genuine 229bhp, an impressive figure after 21 years of use. 

It’s worth taking the time to peruse the old invoices and receipts in order to understand the care and money that has been lavished on this car; we’ve seen some very well-maintained cars in our time and this is certainly one of the most impressive to pass through our hands. Brand new MOT achieved on 6th July with no advisories.

The owner tells us that the car drives beautifully, with everything working as it should. That the only mechanical or electrical faults he could identify are a duff underbonnet light and a mis-aligned headlamp washer jet speaks volumes for the condition of the rest of it!

The car’s service history is impressively complete, with the owner commissioning Club Auto Sport, a marque specialist since 1971, to carry out the service and bodywork. The servicing agents prior to this were Porsche dealers up until 1997, with independent specialist working on it after that. The all-important service history book is stamped up and comes with the vehicle.

It’s online MOT history is beyond reproach, with not even the slightest hint of scandal, neglect or bodgery.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find 138 photographs of its old invoices and other bits of paperwork; few cars are offered with anything like the service history you can see here.

A Porsche 911 would find a place in almost every petrolhead’s Fantasy Garage; the combination of iconic profile, flat-six growl, and seat-of-the-pants handling has endeared it to generations of enthusiastic drivers who are willing to overlook its sometimes edgy (and frequently hyperbolic) on-the-limit handling and quirky ergonomics. That it delivers its thrills at a sensible pace helps explain its appeal too; the cliché of the early morning run is never more real than when there’s a classic 911 waiting for you in the garage.

So, how much will it cost to make it yours? While this example has a recent valuation certificate for £65,000, we predict that it’s going to sell for between £42-47,000, which seems like outstanding value to us in the current market. Of course, the reserve is lower than this and set at a remarkably sensible level.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen in the West Midlands; to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.