1989 Porsche 944 Turbo

• A later model Porsche 944 Turbo in factory MO30 specification with larger anti-roll bars and an LSD, that has very much been enhanced and developed
• Conceived as a fast-road Club Sport-inspired car, the fully rebuilt c400bhp engine (£10,000) features Lindsay Racing pistons, a large turbo, intercooler, water injection, a variable boost switch, upgraded brakes and many other performance modifications
• Fully repainted in its original Glazier Blue with a custom-made vented badge panel, pressed bonnet louvres, Veloce alloy wheels, stainless steel exhaust system and 911 brakes
• Internally, there is a full roll-cage, new high-quality bucket-style seats (with new SCHROTH harnesses attached) covered, like the door cards, in Porsche tartan
• Building on the inherent abilities of the 944 with the aim of creating the ultimate transaxle machine

In 1986, Porsche launched the new 944 Turbo featuring a 220bhp, 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine which was essentially a turbocharged standard unit but with strengthened internals to cope with the increase in power. The 944 Turbo was well received and sold well, prompting Porsche to revamp the model in early 1988. The 'Turbo' had been the basis of the highly successful and entertaining F1-supporting 'Turbo Cup', similar to today's 'GT3 Super Cup'. A decision was made to uprate the power of the full-race cars, and it was decreed that the power upgrade should be passed on to the road cars, so as of 1989, the 944 Turbo was a 250bhp machine and had ABS as standard. The performance of these later 944 Turbo models remains impressive even by modern sportscar standards with 0 to 60 mph in approx. 5.5 seconds, and a top speed of 162 mph.

The car presented here is a 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo (in factory MO30 specification with larger anti-roll bars and an LSD), that has very much been enhanced and developed. Conceived by a previous owner as a lightened, more powerful track-orientated car, it builds on the inherent abilities of the 944 with the brief of being the ultimate transaxle machine.

The expenditure on the mechanical upgrades is documented in nearly £10,000-worth of invoices for a full engine re-build, which included Lindsay Racing pistons, a large turbo, intercooler water injection with a variable boost switch, upgraded brakes and many other performance modifications

When our vendor bought it, he states “Although the car was mechanically excellent, the bodywork was a little tired, albeit solid with no previous welding.”  Having fully inspected the car prior to his purchase, he was aware that it is registered as Category C Insurance Loss: vehicle extensively damaged but repairable - insurer decided not to repair (as of November 2004); and by March 2005 it was deemed VIC PASS: this vehicle has had an identity check carried out by VOSA. The V5 will state ‘substantially repaired and/or accident damaged: identity checked on 18/03/2005’.

Owing to the relative value of these 944s in 2004, it was perhaps not surprising that it was not economically viable to repair; but someone did and did it very well! It was transformed into a road-registered track-day machine and building on this mechanical prowess, our vendor’s intention was to turn it into a fast-road, Club Sport-inspired car.

The car was fully repainted in its original Glazier Blue and a custom-made vented badge panel was added to aid airflow to the intercooler, whilst pressed louvres were added to the bonnet for extra cooling. The car was comprehensively serviced, with all fluids, and belts renewed etc. and a new stainless exhaust was also fitted. A set of new 18-inch Veloce alloy wheels shod in high quality road/track tyres were also added, plus upgraded brakes to 911 ‘Big Reds’.

Internally, the car has a full roll-cage, whilst the seats are new high-quality bucket-style units with new SCHROTH harnesses attached and they have been covered in Porsche tartan, along with the door cards. A full lightweight black carpet has been fitted and a fire extinguisher installed.

According to our vendor: “The car is stunning and drives very well. It's extremely quick with power just shy of 400bhp delivered in old-school turbo-style with lots of whooshes and bangs. Great fun!”

So, take advantage of someone else’s efforts and expenditure, a properly sorted car which offers a lot of excitement at this price guide.