1986 Porsche 928 S2 (Manual)

• A desirable 1986.5 model (2nd half of 1986) - a halfway house between the S2 and S4
• Improved engine, transmission, suspension, exhaust and the Brembo 4-pot brakes of the S4 whilst retaining the simpler electrics and classic body shape of the S2
• With a revised floor pan, battery box and rear cross member, the 1986.5 was seen as the ultimate incarnation of the early body shape, dubbed the GTS of the classic body style
• Very rare factory option combination; manual box, LSD, wide-track rear axle and non-sunroof
• Just 893 manual 928s were built for the UK market, with a mere 410 manual S/S2 models
• It is thought that just 25 UK/right-hand drive examples remain in this 1986.5 (S2 to S4) specification
• Verifiable 77,000 miles with a full service history and stamped-up original service book
• Most recently serviced by the Porsche Centre Cambridge plus a Porsche 101-point check
• Main dealer servicing history; bought from/known by 928 guru Chris Sanderson at Loe Bank Motors

Unveiled at the Geneva Salon in 1977 and voted Car of the Year for 1978, the Porsche 928 was intended as an upmarket replacement for the long-running 911. The front-engined 928's stylish hatchback body made extensive use of aluminium in the interests of weight saving, while the V8 engine - Porsche's first - displaced 4.5 litres and produced 234bhp. A five-speed transaxle gearbox or three-speed automatic were the transmission options.

In 1979 the 928 S arrived boasting a 4.7-litre engine equipped with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. From 1984, the S model was called S2 in the UK, and then in 1986 it was further revised and restyled, becoming the S4.

The car presented here is one of those built during 1986, sometimes referred to as '1986.5' or '1986.5', which represent a 'halfway house' between the S2 and S4 (the so-called 'S3' was a US-only model). Thus, it has the improved engine, transmission, suspension, and brakes of the S4 while retaining the simpler electrics and classic body shape of the S2.

This C16/RHD example in Porsche-signature Guards Red was sold new via well-renowned Porsche Centre Swinford Motors and returned there for regular servicing right up until 34,301 miles and then to Porsche Centre Evans Halshaw; from c1993 the car was in the Isle of Mann, where the excellent servicing schedule was continued, visiting Porsche Centre Corkill's four times (with a cam-belt & water pump service at 63,130 miles). The service mantle was then taken on by Loe Bank Motors of Bury, very well-respected Porsche specialists founded in 1991 by Chris Sanderson, with a run of six regular services carried out her (with another cam-belt change at 68,813 & 74,777 miles). At 77,496 miles the car was treated to its last documented service and a dealership 101-point check at Porsche Centre Cambridge (mileage is now 77,811).

This very well-maintained car has the optional and very rare combination of the manual gearbox and limited-slip differential, plus options of recoil bumpers, wide-track rear axle, Sport shock-absorbers, Sport seats and high-fidelity package (including 8 speaker system with amplifier), all factory-fitted (and documented on the accompanying Porsche Certificate of Authenticity). Another noteworthy feature is the absence of a sunroof (considered 'purer'), with lots of these particular examples having been adapted into race cars over the years.

With a fully verifiable 77,000 miles, a full service history and a stamped-up original service book, this really is the 'hens-teeth' of early unadorned 928s. Currently owned by a real car enthusiast and friend of our very own Harry Metcalfe, this 928 offers great value given everything. Kept garaged and well cared for, this is a very rare car to delight the Porsche aficionado.