1986 Porsche 944 – Auction Car of the Week

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Chris Pollitt

The mention of a modified car can often set the mind’s eye to focus on outlandish body-kits and phat, thumping, deep, bass. But ignore the retina of the brain. A modified car can be a very, very good thing indeed. And that extends to classics. A modified classic car does not have to mean an E Type with side-pipes and Fido Dido stickers on its rump. No, a modified classic can be a glorious thing indeed. Take a look at this 1986 Porsche 944 for example. A tantalising teaming up of top tier parts that have come together to create a 944 like no other. And isn’t that what we all want, deep down? We want to be unique. Special. Standout. That’s what car modification affords us. It’s why – as long as no Fido Dido stickers are involved – we should embrace it. 

Click here to view the auction for this 1986 Porsche 944

There is of course one thing to contend with when it comes to buying a modified car, and that is the subjective nature of modifications. To change anything to better suit us as individuals is a deeply personal thing, and that’s no different when it comes to cars. As such, a modified example may leave others cold. That’s not the case here though. This Porsche 944 has been extensively modified, but not to satiate the desires of the owner. Instead, it has been built to be a better, more exciting 944. As such, this car stands as a means to get a serious fast-road monster for a fraction of the cost it would require to build it yourself. Now that’s something we like. 

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We’ve been aware of this car for, quite literally, years. We’ve seen it progress over on the Retro Rides forum. The car went from standard to modified quickly, but what makes this one so special is the fact the owner went through various iterations of each modification before settling on anything. As such, this car is the best it can be. It’s not simply the coming together of an eager wallet and some off the shelf parts. There has been some serious development at play here, which has all built up to the point the car is at now. What point is that? The ultimate Porsche 944 Turbo. 

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So what makes it the ultimate? Well, this stunning 944 is more than a fancy set of wheels. The chassis has been beefed up with fully adjustable shocks, new bushes, Cup spec springs and bigger Brembo brakes. Then there’s the engine. The 2.5 inline-four now breathes deeper, it has a modified KKK 26/8 turbo, forged rods, the pistons are from Mahle, the crank has been cross-drilled, there’s an uprated fuel pump and a bigger intercooler, bigger Siemens 55kbinjectors and everything is controlled by a custom engine map Linsay racing. It tips the power scale at over 340bhp. 

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Inside the 944, you get Porsche script bucket seats, a rear roll cage, a leather three-spoke steering wheel through which you can view the dials in that familiar oval dash. The manual transmission is from a 924 Turbo, and sends power to the rear wheels via 930 Turbo clutch. The tight, sharp gearchange is in fitting with the tight, sharp feel of the cabin. Nothing out of place, nothing over the top. This car has been built as the RUF 944 that never was, and it really does feel the part. In fact, it doesn’t feel modified. It feels like a very rare, very special version of the factory 944. That’s impressive. 

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We adore this 1986 Porsche 944, and we’re quietly confident that you will, too. There is quite literally no other like it, and that alone should have you hitting the bid button. If you want a truly exemplarily example of the iconic Porsche 944, this is without a shadow of a doubt, it. There won’t be another like it because there isn’t another like it. The fear of missing out out should be real with this car, so make sure you get your bid in while you can. You can thank us later.  

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