Description
1988 Porsche 924S 2. 5 Manual – Zermatt Silver Metallic
For sale is my late 1988 Porsche 924S 2. 5 manual, finished in Zermatt Silver Metallic and first registered on 25 November 1988.
Being a late example, this is the desirable 160bhp version of the 2. 5-litre Porsche engine, paired with the 5-speed manual gearbox. The car has covered approximately 123, 600 miles.
This is not being sold as a concours or fully restored example. It is an honest, very usable 924S which retains the character and imperfections you would expect from a car approaching 40 years old.
HISTORY & DOCUMENTATION
The original service book is unfortunately no longer present. However, there is a collection of invoices, receipts and historic MOT certificates which confirm documented history going back to 1996.
Some of the notable invoices include:
27/ 11/ 1996 – Moore Tech Engineering – £234. 17
Two BF Goodrich front tyres, balancing, N/ S front wheel bearing and road test. Mileage recorded at 79, 139.
08/ 08/ 1997 – Type 911 Porsche Parts & Accessories – £49. 36
Throttle response cam and bonnet badge kit.
08/ 09/ 1997 – Market Lane Garage – £731. 14
Bodywork including paintwork to the bonnet/ nose, bumper and wings, repairs/ preparation to both sills and refurbishment of all four wheels.
27/ 10/ 1997 – Street Sounds – £59. 90
Blaupunkt aerial supplied and fitted.
December 1998 – Porsche specialist workshop – £559
Service/ front-of-engine work including water pump, alternator belt and attention to seized belt tensioners.
21/ 10/ 2002 – Street Sounds
Meta System/ Serpi Star Thatcham-approved security system professionally installed, with original certificate.
13/ 10/ 2004 – Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex – £112. 65
Genuine Porsche fuel lines and associated supports.
22/ 08/ 2005 – Porsche specialist – £873. 51
Major suspension/ braking parts including front springs, complete front shock absorber legs, rear shock absorbers, brake pads and air-filter kit.
31/ 08/ 2005 – Porsche specialist – £156. 98
Rear shock absorbers.
07/ 09/ 2005 – Elite Garages – £62. 04
Four-wheel balancing and computer wheel alignment.
19/ 10/ 2005 – Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex – £70. 65
Genuine Porsche steering-column shaft.
09/ 07/ 2008 – Middlesex Tuning Centre – £320
Electrical/ fuel-system diagnosis, including rectification of corrosion around the fuse/ relay supply and repair to an ECU harness connection.
17/ 07/ 2008 – Middlesex Tuning Centre – £334. 75
Replacement ECU fitted, full system check and road test.
10/ 03/ 2021 – Design 911 – £10. 67
Porsche sealing ring supplied.
23/ 12/ 2024 – Oak Road Motor Factors – £82. 46
Mintex brake pads and APEC brake shoes.
23/ 01/ 2025 – Oak Road Motor Factors – £94. 22
Replacement battery and wiper blades.
There are also a number of historic MOT certificates with the car.
SILLS & PROVENANCE
The sill history is worth mentioning. The 1997 invoice records repairs to both sills, but they were subsequently replaced later in the car's life.
When the car appeared at Anglia Car Auctions in 2019, the auction description specifically recorded replacement sills which had been professionally welded in and painted, along with a reconditioned alternator.
This is further supported by the car's appearance at Hobbs Parker Classic Car Auction in July 2019, where the catalogue stated that the sills had been replaced within the previous two years.
The 2019 auction history also records that the previous keeper had owned the Porsche for approximately 12 years and was a chairman of the UK Porsche 924 Owners Club. The Porsche 924 Owners Club sticker remains on the car today.
RECENT WORK
Since purchasing the car I have concentrated on mechanical recommissioning and maintenance. Work includes engine oil and filter, air filter, spark plugs, fuel filter, coolant temperature sensor, differential oil and plugs, sump plug, battery clamp and replacement electric window switch, along with various smaller jobs.
The car now starts, runs and drives well and pulls nicely on the road.
CONDITION
The bodywork presents well overall but is not perfect. There are age-related marks and cosmetic imperfections around the car. I considered having bits repainted but decided against it, preferring to retain its honest character and allow the next owner to decide how far they want to take it.
The interior is probably the area that lets the car down most. It is usable and largely complete but has age-related wear and the typical dashboard cracking. A sympathetic interior restoration would make a significant improvement.
Overall, this is an honest and usable late 160bhp Porsche 924S with documented history going back to 1996, Porsche Centre and specialist invoices, documented replacement sills, previous Porsche 924 Owners Club ownership.
What appealed to me about this car was that it’s an honest, usable example of a Porsche that I think is becoming increasingly appreciated.
The 924S is a particularly interesting model as it combines the shape and simplicity of the original 924 with Porsche’s 2. 5-litre engine and transaxle layout. Being a late 1988 car, this is the 160bhp version with the 5-speed manual gearbox, which makes it a genuinely enjoyable classic to drive rather than something that simply looks good parked up.
I also liked the fact that this particular car has a story behind it. Despite the original service book being missing, there is documented history going back to 1996, previous Porsche specialist and Porsche Centre invoices, historic MOTs and evidence of long-term enthusiast ownership. It was previously owned by a member of the Porsche 924 Owners Club and has known auction and enthusiast history, including appearances with Anglia Car Auctions, Hobbs Parker and later within the Retro Rides community.
Importantly, the sills have previously been replaced and were recorded in its 2019 auction history as having been professionally welded in and painted.
Since buying it I’ve concentrated on recommissioning and servicing the car rather than trying to turn it into a show car. It now starts, runs and drives well, and I’ve enjoyed bringing it back to the point where it can simply be used and enjoyed again.
My favourite thing about it is probably how honest it feels. It hasn’t been freshly restored or covered in new paint to hide nearly 40 years of use. There are marks and imperfections, and the interior would benefit from further improvement, but that is also part of its appeal. You can use it without being frightened of putting miles on it, while there is still plenty of scope to improve it over time.
The 924S also feels like a lot of classic Porsche for the money. You get a proper Porsche 2. 5-litre engine up front, a rear-mounted transaxle, manual gearbox, pop-up headlights and one of the most recognisable shapes of the 1980s.
For me, it’s exactly what an affordable classic should be – interesting, mechanically engaging, usable and something you can continue improving while enjoying it.
