**No Reserve on this auction!**  

・Fast-appreciating model
・Offered with NO RESERVE
・Desirable 'oval dash' model

The third iteration of Porsche’s front engine transaxle designs, the 944 followed on from the newly found success enjoyed with the 924 and 928 models originally introduced as the ‘family sports wagon’. It was built with a lower price than the 911 but crucially still able to offer the thrills of a Porsche. 

The rear-wheel drive 944 was fitted with a 2.5-litre engine (carried over from the 924) and paired to a 5-speed gearbox as standard. After substantial modifications for the interior and the engine, the 944 S version was introduced, offering greater performance and a better driving experience. 

It essentially used the same body as the standard 944, externally the only difference was a ‘944 S’ boot badge and ’16 Ventiler’ badges on the front wings. But these indicated that something rather special lay inside, namely a 16-valve cylinder head which came from the 5.0-litre 928 S, increasing the cars power to 190bhp. It was claimed the engine was more efficient too.
 

There is something awe-inspiring and profoundly wonderful when you cast your eyes on an old car that has been cared for fastidiously over the years. They fetch handsome prices, and rightly so. Not just because if their rarity, but also because they evoke such a strong emotional response from their potential buyer; a response that is often difficult to put into words (particularly when trying to justify it to your other half). Not all cars have such owners, however. Most cars have lived. And the well-built ones adorn our roads today. They wear their signs of life like a badge of honour, and this Porsche falls firmly into that category. If cars were musicians, we’re looking at a Keith Richards of the road. A little rough around the edges, but still sounding good.  

The car has been off the road for the last 5 years and the current owners acquired it in March of this year. Details of its life prior to that are fairly unknown unfortunately, but there’s a fair amount of paperwork from 1995 onwards. The car is a left-hand drive, and the owner says it started its life in Spain. Early on it was imported to the UK and, significantly, had only one owner up until this year. The car has one key. 

 

There is no paperwork for the first seven years of the car’s life. From 1994 to 1995 a range of work was carried out and there are MOT certificates certifying the cars mileage from 108,000 in 1997 to 132,000 in 2012. 

The current owner has applied for the new Registration Document but is still awaiting it from DVLA. 

 

The interior shows some signs of wear including some small tears in front leather seats and the armrest centre console has come away from its hinges. There is some discolouration on the door panels and carpets, and these are more noticeable with the beige interior. As seen in the pictures there is significant wear, but it is commensurate with the car’s age/mileage.

The bodywork has some light surface scratches and some more significant ones as illustrated in the photos, including a fairly large imperfection on the bonnet measuring about an inch. The front bumper has a minor crack, but the wheels are in remarkably good condition with only some minor scuffs present. The owner informs us that he couldn’t close the sunroof. Since taking the photos, it is now closed but difficult to open again.  

One of the rear bumpers has come away from the car but the original has been kept safely in the boot, as are the original front fog lights which have been changed.

The rear windscreen wiper is missing.

 

The current owner informs us the power-steering pipe requires replacing and there is a rubbing sound from the nearside front wheel when driving, they believe caused by being off the road for 5 years. 

The battery sounded a little flat but started several times on inspection and the engine revs settled nicely at idle. 

All of the work has been carried out in and around the Cheltenham area including a new timing belt at 119,000 miles in 2008.

Porsche invested a lot of technology and engineering into these cars, perfecting the weight distribution over four wheels. It partly explains why they have proved to be so successful over the years. 

This one undoubtedly requires attention from someone that knows their way around a car, but it seems to be a good runner. With a little love, care and attention this could present a good opportunity, and in time, could be back to a fine-looking sports car.

Notice to bidders