1984 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet

Minerva Blue is a rare colour for the 911, something we struggle to understand given how good this one looks. Almost certainly a custom colour given the colour code, ‘A458 LWD’ is a 1984 Cabriolet fitted with the 3.2-litre engine and the five-speed manual gearbox.

The seller bought it when her son was born in 2001 with the intention of using it gently over the years until he was old enough to take over from her as its custodian.

Twenty-three years later and he’s just passed his test – but is only qualified to drive automatic cars. This means the 911 is surplus to requirements, so she’s decided to sell it and give him the money so he can buy something of his choice.

The Minerva Blue paintwork is supported by a matching hood, a combination that gives the familiar shape a more contemporary look than we’re used to.

Which is ironic as it’s an old colour the factory stopped offering in around 1982 – and yet, despite this piece of historical trivia, we believe that Minerva Blue colour is indeed the hue it left the factory in because the colour code ‘L999’ was used by Porsche to indicate a custom colour was used.*

It is still in a very good condition, too. Free of major blemishes, dents, and dinks, squatting down to peer along the flanks shows nothing other than straight metalwork that’s free of ripples.

The folding hood is in great shape too, and while the rear plastic screen is starting to look a little milky, it’s free of rips, tears and other damage. It also rises and falls easily, and seals nice and tight when it is raised.

The badges are also very good, as are the major lamp lenses. The rubber seals look uncommonly well preserved too, and the overall impression is of a well-maintained car that’s gracefully easing itself into middle age.

And the 16-inch Fuchs alloy wheels play no small part in this assessment. In fine fettle and finished in a fetching combination of silver and Minerva Blue, the fat-walled tyres have worked in conjunction with a careful driver to keep their rims free of major scuffs, scrapes and other kerbing damage.

As for the rubber they’re fitted with, the rear tyres are 255/50R16 Ovation VI-388 with date stamps of 2019 and 2021, while the fronts are 205/55R16 Goodyear Eagle F1s. However, we should point out that the last MoT identified the front tyres as cracked and perished, so they will need to be replaced.

As for other work to do, the front numberplate is a little off-centre, the paint chip on the offside rear corner of the bonnet is starting to go rusty, the offside repeater lamp is cracked, and there are bubbles in the paint on the lower edge of the offside front wing above the impact bumper.

* This doesn’t explain why the why the Vehicle History Check shows a change of colour from red though. But try as we might, we can’t find any trace of the original red, which supports our theory that Minerva Blue is the original colour.

The blue and white leather interior looks like another custom finish and, like the coachwork, it has weathered the past four decades with impressive aplomb picking up nothing more than light creasing to the faces of the front seats.

Creases or not, they’re still supportive and comfortable and we imagine a skilled trimmer could rejuvenate them for less than you think – and if even that sounds too expensive then we think a good clean and feed would work wonders for less than twenty quid.

The rear seats, which fold down to provide a useful luggage platform, need even less attention.

The major touchpoints like the steering wheel, gearknob, foot pedals, and handbrake show surprisingly little wear but then this is a car that still shows only 77,000 miles on the odometer; as we said in the ‘Background’ section, the 911’s ergonomics might not have kept anyone at Audi awake in the eighties but there are dozens of manufacturers even now who admire the longevity of Porsche’s cabins.

The blue leather dashboard might be in a good condition, but it would benefit from being fed with a good quality leather food. There is also a little wear to the area behind the steering wheel where people’s hands have caught it over the years but it’s minor and we’d be happy to put it down to a developing patina and leave well alone.

The carpets are still in a good condition, and lifting them shows solid metal underneath – but then no MoT tester has ever felt the need to mention structural corrosion, which is another big tick in the box.

Another is the presence of what looks like the factory tyre compressor in the (very nicely trimmed) frunk, along with a selection of tools.

The door cards and rear quarter panels have been fitted with Sony Xplod speakers that channel music from the Sony headunit and Sony Xplod amplifier in the frunk.

As for work to do the door cards and headlining have some mildew on them, the seatbelt buckles are starting to rust, and the rearview mirror has fallen off.

As we mentioned earlier, the seller bought the car back in 2001 with the aim of passing it on to her son in a couple of decades time. This meant she didn’t use it much over the years, driving it just enough to keep it ticking over and roadworthy.

But time marches on and she realised she ought to start a programme of refurbishment a couple of years ago as part of the process of handing it over to him.

And she didn’t stint, because June 2022 saw the underside treated with Bilt Hamber and underseal – and this wasn’t a half-hearted DIY job either as she paid Body & Soul Autoworks almost £1,400 for them to do it, along with a few other bits and bobs.

Other recent work includes:

• October 2024 – refurbished ECU, heater blower motor, steering column bush, fuel pump relay, and battery by JJRL at a cost of £1,817
• September 2021 – adjust the rear brakes and fit two outer CV joint boots by Millforge Limited
• September 2021 – rebuilt airflow meter by BBA Remanufacturing
• June 2020 and 77,359 miles – full service by Millforge Limited including replacing the fuel filter and sparkplugs

As the video shows, it starts well, develops good oil pressure, and revs and idles as it should.

Or man says it “drives well!” and yes, the exclamation mark is his – and regular followers will appreciate that praise doesn’t come any higher.

The engine itself is a little tarnished and grubby but not so much so that it would top anyone’s list of jobs to do. In fact, if you place the onus on driving rather than showing off you could leave it as it is without worry.

More importantly, there’s evidence of that last service by way of a fresh-looking fuel and oil filters.

Given how well it drives we think the only work you might like to embark on straight away is to deal with the second advisory point on this year’s MoT: “slight play/wear in top steering column bearing/bush.”

Maybe you could get that done when you have it serviced – and yes, we know the last service was carried only 150 miles or so ago, but four years has elapsed, so better to play it safe, eh?

The 911’s MoT certificate is valid until October 2025, and the recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for an alleged change of colour from red.

The Porsche still has its original book pack and handbooks along with lots of older history, a stamped service history booklet, two keys, and some old tax discs.

The OG of the sportscar world, few cars are as instantly recognisable as the G Series 911.

And few are as widely lusted after either, or as good to drive, or provide such a good investment opportunity; after years in the doldrums, prices started to pick up a decade ago and silly money is being asked for some examples.

Which makes our estimate of between £30,000 and £35,000 look like astonishing value.

Yes, there are a few minor cosmetic bits and bobs to get your teeth into over the winter but there’s nothing there a DIYer couldn’t do themselves – and do we need to remind you how well this one drives?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.