1987 Porsche 944S

This 944S has only had three previous keepers, so four in total, and it has ticked up a modest 82,000 miles on the odometer. The owner before this one had looked after this car for well over 12 years. The vendor bought this car without an MOT, and it was in need of some attention. He had it trailered back to Dorset where new fabricated front wing panels were painted and blended. This motor has recently gained its MOT and a comprehensive service to bring it back to its former glory under the watchful care of Porsche specialists, Silver Tune. With a smile on his face, the vendor recounted how proud he was at one point when he had this 944S parked next to a Lotus Excel on his drive. He has great memories taking it out for scenic drives on the B roads around his home. He explains: “As you get up to the higher rev range you hear the twin cam come to life; it’s a real joy to drive”. The vendor also took it to a car show in his local area and went on to say; “It’s been a labour of love to bring it all together and to make it look as it looks now”.

Donning Guards red, this 1987 Porsche 944S exudes a classic and sporty aesthetic that still turns heads today. Its sleek and aerodynamic body features a long, low hood and rounded front fenders, giving the car a powerful and commanding presence on the road. The front grille is flanked by two pop-up headlights that can be raised to illuminate the path ahead. The hood also features a raised centre ridge that adds to the car's aggressive appearance.

The car features a low-slung profile with a distinctive sloping roofline and a sleek, aerodynamic body that looks fast even when it's standing still. The car's side profile is highlighted by its long, sloping hood, short overhangs, and muscular fenders that flare out to accommodate the wide wheels and tires. The car's sleek lines and smooth curves give it a timeless look. The vendor highlights that one of the sidelights is loose and there are areas where the paintwork would benefit from some attention, and some mild blemishes to areas of bodywork, particularly on the rear bump. There is evidence of stone chips on the nose. The car sits on a set of large, distinctive alloy wheels that add to its bold and dynamic look, and these were refurbished in February of this year. The sides of the car are defined by muscular wheel arches that emphasize the car's athletic stance.

The upholstery in this motor is very much of its time – pinstripe, velour and brown. The seats are in good shape and he rear seats are excellent. It’s much the same story with the headlining, which is also very good. The driver’s door card shows evidence of a bit of fading from wear, commensurate with the car’s age. It’s also worth mentioning that there is some cracking to the dashboard. That being said, the centre console, gear stick, arm rest, door sills and black leather wrapped steering wheel are in tidy shape. The boot area looks very clean which suggest that the car hasn’t had any rear impacts in its life. This motor comes with a spare wheel and it still has the lightweight alloy jack, which is a nice touch.

The engine is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder unit that is water-cooled and features a dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) configuration. It delivers a maximum power output of 187 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. This power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission that provides crisp and precise shifting. The engine bay looks to be clean, with no obvious signs of leakage and everything looks to be in its right and proper place.

The engine is equipped with a Bosch Motronic fuel injection system, which is a sophisticated and advanced system for the time that helps to ensure the engine delivers smooth and consistent power across its entire operating range.

The engine is a highly capable and impressive unit that was built to deliver high levels of performance and driving excitement. Its combination of power, smoothness, and refinement makes it one of the most sought-after engines of its era.

The suspension system consists of a four-wheel independent setup, with MacPherson struts in the front and a trailing arm system in the rear. This setup allows for a high degree of adjustability, which helps to ensure that the car handles well and provides excellent grip during high-speed cornering. The car also features front and rear stabilizer bars, which help to reduce body roll and improve handling.

There’s evidence of surface corrosion on the exhaust and the underside towards the rear.

This car was registered on 1st August 1987 and has a valid MOT until 2nd December 2023. It has done virtually no mileage in the last three years. That being said, it has had regular MOTs since 2005. The only advisory that was shared on its previous MOT (2022) was to repair the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint. This car had a fair bit of work carried out in 2021 as it had its nearside front lamp, front wings and exhaust replaced. It has also been treated to an overhaul to the front end of the engine, during which the cam and balance belts, water pump, rollers and tensioners and oil seals were replaced. A new head gasket was also fitted. This work was carried out by JMG Porsche, who also renewed the brakes on the car, fitting new discs and pads, with the total cost adding up to £2500.

The service book is stamped up to 2012, with Porsche main dealer stamps until 1996 and independent specialists thereafter. Further invoices detailing the maintenance record of this car can be found in the detailed gallery below.

Many argue that cars like the Porsche 944S are in the sweet spot of the classic car world; old enough to be largely analogue in their response and repairability, but new enough to benefit from the sort of reliability and safety features like anti-lock brakes we’ve all come to take for granted. They’re fairly cheap too, adding to their already considerable appeal.

With the very best Porsche 944s now fetching in excess of £30,000, we think our estimate that this one will sell for between £10,000 and £15,000 represents very good value for an iconic 80s sports car.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.