1987 Porsche 911 Supersport Cabriolet

The 911 Carrera Supersport was introduced in 1984, initially in coupe form only, and filled a gap in the company's range by providing a 911 Carrera with all the styling cues of the Turbo, but the practicality and predictability of the lower powered Carrera. The new car imitated the extrovert Turbo look externally with a wide body, big spoilers, 16-inch forged alloy rims and low profile tyres, however certain mechanical features of the Turbo including modified suspension and four piston fixed calipers were also incorporated in the Supersport.

The Supersport Cabriolet was introduced in 1985, and looked particularly serious with the wide body and Turbo cues, however even though it shared the same engine output and performance figures as the standard Cabriolet, it was offered at the substantially higher price of £38,500 when new, about 25 per cent more expensive than the narrow body version. In October 1986, the earlier 915 gearbox was replaced by the stronger G50 unit which remained until the final model in 1989.

In total there are believed to be only 16 right hand drive Cabriolets produced, and this low mileage example, first registered in 1987, is one of them. With only 2 owners from new this fine example is a UK supplied car and has only covered an indicated 20,251miles. The car is supplied with the original owner's handbook, as well as all the old MoT's (including a current one valid until August 2016) which substantiate the mileage. Recently treated to a new Porsche hood and hood bag, this cabriolet is offered in original condition and is beautifully finished in bronze with a brown interior.

Despite the fact that his new purchase was running well, our vendor is particularly fastidious and was keen to ensure the car performed as it would have done when new, so earlier this year he commissioned an engine inspection and top end rebuild with the engine and gearbox being removed from the car. The engine was stripped to assess its condition, and the bottom end was found to be sound so it was carefully re-assembled with new piston rings and up-rated head studs. The heads were rebuilt with new valves, seats, guides and springs and reunited with the block and all the relevant gaskets and seals were replaced. The side tin ware was replaced and all other tin ware repainted, the gas readings were reset and the car was put back together and road tested. Invoices from Woodward Motors Ltd, an independent Porsche specialist detailing the work are with the car.

With only a reported 16 of these cars being built to this specification, this represents an opportunity to acquire the rarest of variants, an eighties wide bodied cabriolet.