When the Porsche ‘964’ generation of 911 appeared in 1989, it was the most significant advance in the air-cooled Porsche’s history since the first 911 appeared in 1963.
 
For although it retained the same basic bodyshell and flat-six engine design of the original, Porsche claimed that that car was 80% new, with a brand-new, much more modern cabin layout, different panels and bumpers, new transmissions, larger wheels and tyres and (at launch) a new four-wheel-drive layout in the form of the Carrera 4.

But the biggest change was in the suspension. Gone were the torsion bars that had underslung every air-cooled Porsche since 1963, replaced by MacPherson struts upfront with coil springs and shock absorbers – a move that also required a redesign of the inner wing structure and front bulkhead.

Another feature of the new model was its electric rear spoiler, which raised at speeds above 50 mph and lowered down flush with the rear engine lid at lower speeds, doing away with the need for the wild ‘tea tray’ rear spoilers seen on 1980s 911s.

This example is a UK-spec 964 Carrera 2 Cabriolet, which has been in the vendor’s family for many years, previously owned by his parents. It began life as the company vehicle for a very well-known London media tycoon, and comes with a fully documented history, most old MOTs and some of the previous V5s as well as an A4 lever-arch file full of provenance.

It’s a great example of the best and most evolved of the air-cooled 911s, certainly from a driver’s perspective. It’s a genuine car in wonderful overall condition, and one that’s becoming increasingly collectable among Porsche collectors, who clamour to get their hands on good examples of the air-cooled 911’s swansong.

 

 

 

Subtle but stunning, the Slate Grey paintwork really suits the 90s evolution of the 911, with its body-coloured trim and electric boot spoiler (which works perfectly, by the way).
 
It’s in lovely condition throughout, sitting on smart five-spoke turbine alloy wheels which were refurbished when the car was overhauled, and shod with the correct Pirelli P-Zero rubber. Aside from one small rust bubble under the paint where the offside front wing meets the scuttle panel and a few chips around the fuel filler, it’s in fantastic condition.
 
Open the door and you’ll find a delightful grey leather interior that was retrimmed for the vendor’s parents in 2016 and has recently had some smart repairs carried to repair mouse damage, the repairs being impossible to see.

The dashboard, carpets, switches and gauges are in good order and everything appears to work as it should including the power-operated roof, the only issue being a temperamental passenger side electric window.
 
 

 

The unmistakable sound of a flat-six 911 is something to relish – it sounds absolutely wonderful, with a warbly idle and a snarling eagerness when you blip the throttle.
 
It was a lively engine when new, with 247bhp – enough to propel it from 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 163mph. Decent figures even by today’s standards.

It starts on the button, holds good oil pressure and is said to run very well with no known issues, having always been fastidiously maintained in its current ownership, and has recently had a major service and over £2,000 recommissioning it ready for sale after sitting in the vendor’s garage for two years.
 
Prior to that, in 2016 it was given a major mechanical overhaul. The engine was stripped and rebuilt, the cranks reground, a new head gasket fitted and the gearbox overhauled and given a new clutch. It has seen minimal use since, so is ready for its next owner to enjoy.
 
 

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