1987 Porsche 944 – Project Profile

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Chris Pollitt

There are some names in the automotive world that at a mere mention can send a shiver down your spine. A tingle of joy and of anticipation ahead of what will no doubt be an exciting vehicular outing. Ferrari is of course one of those names, as are other Italians like Lamborghini and Maserati. But the Italians don’t get to keep all the tingles – the Germans take some too with Porsche. A powerful, emotive name that naturally leads the mind’s eye to sketch the image of a 911. But the 911 isn’t the only Porsche, as well we all know. There are many, like the car we have here, for example. Namely the legendary 944. 

The 944 was introduced to essentially give the 924 a bit more beef. It was the same basic design, but wider, lower and with more power. It was and still is a muscular little thing, a car that looks as fast parked up as it does when on the move. And it was a proper, serious Porsche, too. Some accused the 924 of being a bit… damp. The 944, however, was fast, it was powerful and thanks to evolutionary changes to the chassis, it boasted exceptional handling (the joys of near perfect weight distribution care of a transaxle). It was, and still is a proper Porsche. 

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What is it? 

What we have here is a left-hand drive 1987 Porsche 944S. The S is important, because it means 16-valves and as such, 190hp. The car is UK registered, and prior to the current owner acquiring the car this year, it only had one owner. It’s left-hand drive due to it originally living in Spain. However, it was brought to our fair shores fairly early in its life. 

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Having been off the road for the last five years, there is some work to be done. But that’s the joy of a project, right? Parts availability is good for this model, the car seems to be reasonably up and together. It’s running and driving, and while there is of course a lot to be done, it presents as a very attractive project prospect. Helped in no small part by the fact it’s being offered here on Car & Classic Auctions with no reserve in place. This could be a proper Porsche bargain. 

Why is it a project? 

While this Porsche 944 is indeed running and driving, it’s safe to say it’s more than a little down at heel. The paint has scratches here and there, and there is a rust spot in the middle of the bonnet. The rear bumper has indeed been bumped, so that needs attention. The door seals and rubbers are a little past their best. But don’t be put off. The body looks straight, and with the exclusion of the rust spot on the bonnet, it seems to be free from any significant corrosion. The Teledial wheels are all in good condition, too. 

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Inside, there is some work to be done, but everything is present. The stitching on the driver’s seat has come away, the carpets are grubby, and the cabin needs a good detail. But let’s focus on the positives here. You have that more desirable oval dash, the dash top seems to be largely intact, the seats are in good order bar the stitching, the glass is good, the switchgear all seems to work. There’s a lot going for it. 

Then you have the engine. There is some service history, which is nice. It starts up easily enough, and while it no doubt needs a service and new belts, it runs happily enough. The transmission is slick and quick to engage, there are no overheating issues either. This 944 may have been off the road for a while, but up until that point, it was used by one loving owner. This car comes from good stock. 

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1) Rust

There is very little rust on initial observation, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any lurking beneath. Sills, inner arches, floors. They all need to be inspected.

2) Trim

If you’re going to go down the route of restoring this for the road, you’re going to need to know how much trim needs replacing. The rubbers and door seals seem to have gone, and the sunroof needs some attention, so everything else needs to be checked. 

3) Suspension

The draw of the 944 for many is the impressive handling. A lot of this is down to weight distribution, the rest is down to the suspension. But after five years idle, what sort of condition is it in? Be sure to have a gander. 

4) Electrics

As with any car that has been off the road for a while, electrics should always be checked. Dry or corroded connections, or even damage from the tiny teeth of hungry critters can all be an issue.

5) Engine

The engine runs, but does it sound healthy? Is there any smoke? Are there any untoward noises that need further investigation? Run the old beast up to temp and see what’s what. 

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What should you do with it? 

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From where we’re sitting, restoration is perhaps unlikely. To get this car back to its former glory would be a costly exercise, and one that would ultimately leave you with a car that has the steering wheel on the wrong side. So, why not embrace the down at heel nature of this 944 and use it as an opportunity to turn it into something else? What about stripping it out, fitting a cage, a pair of bucket seats and then hitting the track. This could be an excellent weekend toy, and with myriad specialists out there supplying everything you need, it should be something you can build at home. Crack on, track day season is nearly here!

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