Highlights
- Superb specification
- Excellent maintenance record
- Dry stored since 2014
- MOT to June 2023
The Appeal
For many people, the Carrera 3.2 is peak Porsche 911. Still running an air-cooled drivetrain, with a surprisingly small footprint on the road, nimble handling but reliable, robust and very usable. Small wonder that they’re held in such high regard amongst enthusiasts and collectors alike.
This is a 1989 Targa with the Sport pack, so is in our opinion the absolute sweet spot. Late 80s Targas are amongst the most desirable 911s, and this is presented with an excellent history and in a rather fetching specification. With the owner sadly unable to use the car much now, they are reluctantly offering it for sale. If the idea of a classic 911 Targa appeals (and why wouldn’t it?), then this simply has to be considered.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in April 1989
- Specified with the desirable Sport Pack
- 11 owners from new, current owner since July 2014
- Dry-stored in a lock-up with a breathable cover since 2014
- The car appears to have been SORN from 2018 to early 2022 as it wasn’t being used much
- 117,238 miles, verified by MOT history
- Current MOT to June 2023
- Recent major service and mechanical inspection, with work totalling £4,000
- Comprehensive service history with 19 stamps
- Complete with the handbooks, as well as a file of previous MOTs, and invoices for maintenance and servicing over the years
- Previous bills of sale and older HPi certificates present
The Interior
- Black leather upholstery with contrast red piping
- Pioneer CD/radio and speakers
- Electrically operated seats, windows and door mirrors
- Unmodified factory specification
One of the things we love about this car is how original it appears to be. Other than the more modern Pioneer CD/radio system, it appears to be in exactly the specification it left the factory in.
The leather upholstery presents very well, with a comforting level of patination on display. There are some creases to the seats, but they look to retain their shape very well. There is a little wear to the driver’s seat outer bolster, including a small tear to the outside edge of that bolster, but nothing that couldn’t be fairly easily rectified. However, the rear seats look almost untouched, and are in excellent condition.
Looking at the leather of the gear lever gaiter, steering wheel and door cards, it all presents very well, with minimal wear for the mileage and age of the car, and no signs of notable damage.
Black carpets and matched overmats run through the cabin and appear to be in good condition, with no signs of staining or threading that we could see. Meanwhile, the headlining of the targa roof panel is tight and clean, with no signs of damage or sagging – unsurprising as the vendor tells us they have had this restored.
From the classic five-gauge cluster in front of the driver to the slender-rimmed wheel and perfectly placed gear shifter, the Carrera’s cabin displays a wonderful simplicity and naturalness to the controls and switchgear. It all shows well too, being in good condition, with minimal wear and tear in evidence – a real testament to Porsche build quality of the era.
We’re assured by the vendor that everything works just as it should, with no issues or gremlins they are aware of.
At the front, the luggage compartment is lined with black carpet and all looks to be in fine fettle, with the spacesaver spare and toolkit present and correct, alongside the original Porsche branded compressor.
The Exterior
- Slate Grey Metallic paintwork
- Sport Pack - includes ‘whale tail’ spoiler and front lip spoiler
- Black anodised external trim and rollover hoop
- Original Fuchs wheels
- Targa roof panel
With its subtle but smart Slate Grey Metallic paintwork, this 911 is striking and yet not ‘in your face’. We’re told that the paintwork has recently been tidied up and polished by a local classic specialist, and it certainly looks the part, having a deep shine and gloss. There are some minor blemishes as you’d expect, including the usual small marks where the targa roof panel fits. But overall the paintwork is in very good condition for the vehicle’s age and mileage.
Wearing its Sport Pack accoutrements proudly, the whale tail, front lip spoiler and handsome black anodised trim really do make this car look very special indeed. It’s nice to see all the trim and badging present and correct, with the glass and light lenses also presenting well, with no damage we could see. The MOT notes an advisory that the off-side front fog light is not working, but this should be a relatively minor fix.
The car rides on iconic 16-inch Fuchs wheels, which feature black painted centres, polished centre-caps, barrels and lips. They look to be in good overall condition, with some minor marks and blemishes and a little pitting to the polished centre-caps, but nothing that would concern us. They’re shod in tyres that look to have decent tread levels and no damage to the sidewalls that we could identify.
Looking under the car, everything looks nice and solid, with the sills looking especially well. There is some light surface corrosion evident to the floors and some drivetrain elements, but nothing that appears extensive or concerning.
The Mechanics
- 3,164cc atmospheric, air-cooled flat-six
- Manual 5-speed transmission
- Recent major service and inspection
As a 1989 car, this Carrera 3.2 benefits from a number of upgrades over earlier models, including the robust Getrag G50 5-speed manual transmission and Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection. The engine bay looks nice and tidy, with no signs we could see of leaks or overheating issues, although there is a little surface corrosion evident to the fan shroud.
Earlier this year, the vendor sent the car to a Porsche specialist to have a full service and inspection. In total £4,000 was spent making sure the car was in top mechanical condition, with new track rod ends, a new clutch master cylinder, new clutch slave cylinder and numerous oil feed and breather pipes being fitted.
Offering a meaty 231bhp, all delivered to the rear wheels, the vendor tells us that the car drives very well, with no smoke, leaks, untoward noises or mechanical issues detracting from the experience. Unsurprisingly, they tell us that the car goes well and sounds superb.
Summary
We know why the vendor is selling this car reluctantly – it’s an incredibly pretty thing. Benefitting from a lovely specification, fine history and some comprehensive recent servicing, this handsome and rousing sports car is fighting fit and ready to go.
With a late 80s ‘Sport Pack’ Targa being one of the most desirable cars in the market, if you’ve always hankered for a slice of air-cooled 911 action, then we’d humbly suggest this is quite possibly the perfect car for you.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
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