1997 Porsche Boxster
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Highlights
- Superb inside and out
- One of the last Stuttgart-built cars
- Lots of original-spec extras
The Appeal
In the early 1990s, Porsche was struggling. What the company needed, to keep pace with its fast-modernising rivals and to balance the books, was a two-seater sports car that could share common parts with the next-generation 911; the answer was the Boxster, styled by Pinky Lai and Grant Larson. The concept car made its debut at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show, and production ‘986’ models appeared in Europe in 1996, arriving in the UK in 1997. The car was a revelation, and with Porsche quickly overwhelmed by the demand a speculators’ market soon appeared.
With sparkling performance and handling but modest fuel consumption, the car was practical enough for everyday use, and the first-generation model continued, with revisions, until the ‘987’ version arrived in 2005. It was the most successful car Porsche had made, until the Cayenne SUV came along.
This one is an early ‘986’ Boxster, one of the last built in Stuttgart before production was outsourced to Finland, and is loaded with lots of original-spec upgrades and extras.
The History and Paperwork
- Original leather folder
- Driver’s manual and other booklets
- Manual for Porsche CR21 stereo
- Full service history, from Porsche dealers and specialists
- Only five previous owners
- MoT valid until May 2024
- 2020 HPI check
- Thick folder of invoices
- Current V5
- Past MoT certificates
- Three sets of keys
The vendor bought the car in May 2022, after an exhaustive search for the ‘right’ car. He has enjoyed driving it, but he owns other cars, and has had recent health issues that have affected his business, so he has reluctantly decided to part with it.
There’s an impressive folder of paperwork, including the original Porsche folder with the driver’s manual and other booklets, a manual for the radio, past MoT certificates, and invoices.
The MoT certificates show that the car has done just over 3000 miles since June 2020.
The Interior
- Smart red leather seats
- Leather-trimmed handbrake
- Extended leather on dashboard and doors
- 581-code front centre-console
- 490-code six-speaker sound system
- Electric windows
- Electric mirrors
- Power convertible hood, mechanism refurbished in 2021
- Remote central locking
- Original Boxster red carpets with black Porsche-branded overmats
- Original Porsche CR21 radio/cassette player with 6-disc CD autochanger
- Original rare cup-holders
- Unused original space-saver spare wheel and cover
- Original tool-roll and tools
- Porsche-branded case for oil bottle
- Warning triangle
The interior here provides further evidence of the car’s cosseted lifestyle and low mileage. Everything is in remarkably good condition, with only some minor wear on the driver’s seat. Both front footwells have been protected by original overmats and so the carpets are very good, with only some marks beneath the mat on the passenger side. The flap for the vanity mirror on the passenger side sun-visor is missing.
In the front luggage compartment, everything is in first-class condition, with an unused space-saver spare wheel protected by its cover, an original tool-roll with tools that also look to be unused, a branded oil-bottle case, and a jack in its holder.
The Exterior
- Arctic Silver paintwork
- Immaculate original hard top, with heated rear window and original dealer decals
- Original Black Mohair hood with new OEM soft rear window in 2021
- Hood cleaned and re-proofed in 2021
- Wind deflector
- 396-code 17” 996 Carrera twist-spoke wheels
- Recent Pirelli P-Zero N-rated tyres all round
- Unmarked original headlights and rear lights
The car presents extremely well, with no visible damage to the Arctic Silver paintwork. Closer inspection shows that the black paint on the vents in the front spoiler has some minor damage, while a small area of the bottom corner of the windscreen on the passenger side is showing signs of delamination, but for a car that’s more than 25 years old these are really very minor issues.
The original hood is extremely good, having been cleaned, reproofed and had a new window fitted at the same time as the mechanism was rebuilt in 2021.
There’s no damage to the wheels, while the badges, brightwork and lights both front and rear are in excellent condition.
The original hardtop is immaculate, suggesting it has hardly ever been used.
The Mechanics
- 2.5-litre engine
- Five-speed manual gearbox
- Numerous spec upgrades including:
- 030-code sports chassis (10mm lower than standard)
- 013-code Sport Technic package includes upgraded springs, shock absorbers and stabiliser bars
- 197-code upgraded battery
- 222-code traction control ASR (anti-slip)
- 224-code traction control automatic braking differential
- XLA-code polished stainless-steel exhaust tip
- £900 major service in June 2022
As anyone who has owned a Boxster will confirm, access to the engine is complicated, which is why there are no pictures of the engine bay! But the paperwork here tells the story – this one has been carefully maintained throughout its life and has had money spent whenever necessary.
The first-gen Boxster is renowned for its handling, brakes and steering, and it’s clear that this one was highly specified, when new, in all these areas.
On the evidence of our photo shoot, the car starts and runs beautifully, and the vendor says that it’s a superb drive.
Summary
Originally viewed with scepticism by Porsche purists, the Boxster has matured into a genuine classic car. Values are on the up, as enthusiasts recognise the car’s ability and sound, well cared-for examples become harder to find.
Fun to drive, reliable and practical, the car is the clear leader in the two-seater sports-car sector of the ‘modern classic’ market – and it wears that prestigious Porsche badge. The ‘986’-era cars are the model’s best iteration, and with its original-spec upgrades, superb condition and reassuring paperwork, this one is as good as any you’ll find.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1997
- Make Porsche
- Model Boxster
- Colour Silver
- Odometer 37,887 Miles
- Engine size 2500
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Basingstoke
- Location Hampshire
- Country United Kingdom
26
bids
- Ro•••• £8,400 19/03/24
- ch•••• £8,300 19/03/24
- Ro•••• £8,200 19/03/24
- ch•••• £8,100 19/03/24
- Ro•••• £8,000 19/03/24
- ch•••• £7,900 19/03/24
- Ro•••• £7,800 19/03/24
- ch•••• £7,700 19/03/24
- Ro•••• £7,600 19/03/24
- ch•••• £7,500 19/03/24
The Gallery
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