・Striking grand prix white bodywork and fuchs wheels

・A matching numbers car

・Fastidiously maintained and solid condition throughout

・An excellent driver, still tight and crisp

・A well-documented and known ownership history 

The Porsche 911. Even those who are not into cars, know that name. The reputation, magnetism and lifestyle brand of the 911 is frankly incredible. Very few manufacturers have a model in their current line-up that has endured over five decades (and counting), while at the same time creating a significant global appreciation and following. With each revision over the years, Porsche have pushed, problem solved and perfected the 911 to achieve a model that is now regarded by many as one of the greatest cars ever made.

That revered flat-six ‘boxer’ engine, slung out behind the rear wheels should by rights, make for a mechanically disastrous design. You only have to drive one once, to understand why it’s anything but. Much has been written and rewritten about the 911. How this unique sports car feels to drive, about its heritage, development, motorsport achievements, model variants, possible replacements and most recently, whether it can survive into the electric future. That last point is a topic for another time. 

However, what we’re concerned with here is the mid-to-late 1980s era Carrera 3.2 model. The G-series Porsche 911, or ‘impact bumper’ as its also known, began life in the early 1970s as a development from the earliest narrow body F-series of the 1960s. The Carrera 3.2 retained that classic narrow body design and as the closing act of the G-series period, is now considered to be one of the best classic Porsches.

This particular 1988 cabriolet example in Grand Prix white, is a matching numbers car believed to be one of less than 160 cabriolets made that year. Much is known about this car’s background, from its original sale on 1st August 1988 by Porsche main dealer Heddle and Deeks, to the current ownership.

The cabriolet’s current owner has had the car since 2014, when upon viewing the car, he was amazed to discover in the service records, that the first owner in 1988 was a fellow Hampshire businessman, whom he had worked closely with at that time. Both the first owner and the current owner had driven white 911 cabriolets as their daily drives in the 1980s. Clearly a car sought after by enthusiasts of the model.

As previously mentioned, this 911 was supplied by Porsche main dealer Heddle and Deeks of Bournemouth, in August of 1988. In the 1990's, Heddle and Deeks changed their name to Chapplegate Porsche, who again changed their name around 2005 to Porsche Centre Bournemouth as it is called today. 

The car was serviced and maintained by Heddle and Deeks 10 times, up until October 1997 at 54551 miles. At which point services are noted and stamped on 15th October 1998 at 62,263 miles, on 18th October 1999 at 68,423 miles and then on 3rd January 2002 at 75,038 miles.

During the car’s previous ownership (before the current owner) it was maintained by Geo Morrison of Glasgow, where it received 8 services up until the end of 2013. It was on the 2nd January 2014 that the present owner acquired the car, when the mileage read approximately 92,000.

During this latter period of ownership, the car has been securely stored in Hampshire, where it has covered only 4,000 miles and has received 3 further services by Porsche Centre Portsmouth and Porsche Specialist RSR Independent.

The cabriolet is now reluctantly for sale owing to the owner working away and a resultant lack of use.

The paperwork is significant across the lifetime of the car and all Porsche documentation is present. This includes a stamped service book, owner’s manual, operating instructions, various records of servicing work, parts and associated receipts.

The documentation clearly shows the car has been subject to regular maintenance and kept in fantastic condition, including a new blue soft-top hood. 

A Porsche Certificate of Authenticity also accompanies the car and verifies the original specification.

This Carrera’s specification includes the rarer option of full leather interior, which extends to the seating, door cards and dashboard. All of which is in a lovely condition and shows little sign of wear. The white piping of the seats complete the look and of course compliments the white exterior. The original carpets are present and again are in great condition, owing to over-mats being used to protect the originals.

All of the interior controls and switches are reported as working correctly without fault and all present in a good visual condition with no unsightly marking or aging. The only item noted as not original to the car is the CD stereo head unit. While the more modern radio doesn’t look significantly out of place, purists could easily source an original replacement or install a period upgrade by way of Porsche’s Classic Communication Management system (PCCM).

Glass throughout the car is all clear with no noted scratches or marking.

Of particular note by the owner and confirmed upon spending time with this 911, is the smell. Yes, you read correctly and that should also be taken positively. The smell is one of originality and confirmation of the car’s lower mileage and moderate use over the years.

A white Porsche 911 cabriolet, sitting on white centred fuchs alloy wheels. It really is an impressive looking car, which still looks as sharp today as it did in period. Those fuchs wheels are in excellent condition, with no signs of kerbing and the tyres are also all in good shape and have plenty of remaining tread.

The white paintwork across the car is relatively unmarked, save for the most minor of stone chips and slight and light scratching, commensurate with the cars age and mileage. No signs of rust were noted when working around the exterior. The sills which can be an area of concern are known to have been subject to preventative maintenance and repainting.

The underside of the car is clear of the usual surface rust, which you find on cars spending their life outside. Underneath presents extremely well, no doubt owing to fastidious maintenance and years spent in dry storage. The replacement shocks during the last owner’s tenure are evident.

All lights, trims, plastics and fixings are all in a well-maintained state with no notable damage or missing parts. The replacement blue soft-top hood was new in 2011 and is fantastic condition.

The whale tale ‘delete’, was an option specified from new at the time of purchase.

During the 6-year run of the 3.2 the only significant mechanical change came with the introduction of the G50 gearbox in 1987. With its updated synchromesh, this later gearbox is significantly sought after owing to its more modern feel over the 915 predecessor. The usability of the G50 further adds to the Carrera 3.2’s reputation for quality and reliability, meaning this 911 can confidently be used as a regular driver.

Working around and underneath the car, it is evident that the maintenance history and its time being dry stored and well looked after, have really paid dividends. The car looks to be in great mechanical condition, starting quickly every time, with that flat-six sounding every bit the Porsche trump card when on the move and coming to a stop with no concerning noises. 

A recent review by a local specialist noted the car to be driving beautifully, with the G50 gearbox changing exactly as it should. The car is nice and tight, pulls strongly and performed very well on the road test.

Everything is stated as working correctly as intended, with no suspicious noises when either starting, driving or shutting down the engine.

The car has its original tool pouch with complete tool kit. It also has the original compressor for the spare tyre.

The service history provides the evidence of a well-kept, cherished and enthusiast owned 911.

The 3.2 Cabriolets are something of a niche model in the UK and as such, choice is not as wide as equivalent Coupes or Targas. Finding a well-maintained, well documented, low mileage example such as this one is harder still.

The flat-six air cooled legend has long been the desire of true petrolheads, but with values consistently on this rise, owning one is something fewer people achieve. Owning a good, honest and well cared for example is the real sweet spot, regardless of which particular variant you seek. 

This car is exactly that. As good as you could hope for, in an impressively crisp original enthusiast’s driver. The only thing that remains is to ease that roof back, don the wayfarers and hit the road.


Notice to bidders