Manufactured from 1982 to 1991, the 944 was based on the 924 platform. The front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout proved to be a huge success, and the car went on to be the best-selling Porsche until the launch of the Boxster.

When it comes to a provenance, we’ve rarely seen a car with such a comprehensively recorded history as this. Originally purchased from Heddell & Deeks of Ferndown in 1986 by a local doctor, the car remained in the family, with the son taking over the title in 1995. From the extensive paperwork file, it’s evident that the car has been meticulously cared for, regardless of cost, throughout its life. It was kept garaged for this entire period, which really shows in the condition of the vehicle.

The current owner purchased the car in 2016, and has kept up the car’s impeccable maintenance record, and kept the car garaged too. Due to a recent house move, they no longer have the room to keep the vehicle, so they are reluctantly offering it for sale.

The file that comes with the car is extremely detailed. The original handbooks are present and correct, and the service book shows that the car was consistently serviced by Heddell & Deeks for a number of years before being cared for by independent specialists. In fact, the file includes a list of all the servicing and maintenance that has been carried out since May 1995 to the present. 

This is backed up by dozens of receipts and invoices, detailing thousands of pounds spent over the course of the car’s life, from routine maintenance and servicing to major works. It appears from our examination of the file that every single receipt since the car was new is present. Also present is a letter of recall from Porsche in 1990, confirming that the needed recall work was undertaken.

The current owner applied to Porsche for a Certificate of Authenticity, which was granted in December 2016 and confirms the vehicle’s originality and the fact that this is a matching numbers car.

One of the nicest aspects of the car is its originality – it is presented with its original dealer plates and window stickers, and the file also includes a period compliment slip from the dealer that sold the car. Obviously, the current V5 is present and correct, as well as the previous V5s. Currently the vehicle has an MOT until September 2022. The owner is also including a Porsche 924/944 book.

Few cars still look modern, especially on the inside, after 36 years. But the 944 still looks great inside, with a stylishly minimal dashboard and comfortable, high quality seats in a 2+2 layout. In this model, a Lux specification, there are fine quality black carpets, in good condition. These are paired with black leatherette seats and door cards with black fabric inlays featuring white pinstripes. 

Internally, the car is very original and has held up remarkably well. Everything works as it should, other than the dashboard clock, and feels solid and very Porsche-like. There is some sign of age-related wear and tear though - both the driver’s seat and passenger seat fabric inlays have holes in them, but nothing that could not be easily sorted. 

The seats themselves and the leatherette sections are in very good condition. The fabric inlays on the seats and door cards have faded with age, looking a little more brown than black now. But the  fabric is still easily sourced, so it would be a simple job for any new owner to have the fabric sections retrimmed in original specification material.

As a ‘Lux’ model, the cabin is quite well specced for a 944. It features electric windows, mirrors, seats and a sunroof, that all work well. The large sunroof is also fully removable, and can be stored in a bespoke OEM bag in the boot compartment, offering a Targa-like driving experience. A more modern, aftermarket stereo system was fitted, probably in the late 1990s from the look of it. It is a Sony Radio/Cassette system with a full width snatch-plate. The headlining and all other trim elements in the main cabin are in very good condition.

The boot area itself is in very good order, with the original retractable luggage cover present and correct, as well as the spare wheel and black carpet to match the cabin. Underneath the carpet, the boot floor is very solid, with no signs at all of corrosion or damage.

Finished in shining Alpine White, this 944 is in superb condition externally. All of the badges and trim pieces are original, as can be seen from the patina and light wear / fading that is present on them. The rear rubber wing has some moderate wear consistent with the vehicle’s age, but still looks in good condition.

However, the paintwork itself looks like new. In 2017 the current owner undertook a light restoration of the vehicle, with new outer and inner sills, repaired floor pan sections, and new sections to the lower front wings, lower rear quarter panels and rear number plate surround all being fitted. The undercarriage has been undersealed and the sills coated with Waxoyl. The entire car has been sprayed in a number of fresh coats of paint. All in all, £6,000 was spent to bring the car back to this condition, with all work being carried out by Retro Restorers in Banbury.

The owner also had the original ‘phone dial’ 15” alloys fully refurbished in July 2020. They’re shod in Kumho Solus tyres which look to be in very good condition with lots of tread life left in them.

The quality of the work speaks for itself, and the car really does look excellent. Underneath, the vehicle is in very good condition - original, clean and straight and with no signs of significant wear and no damage. It’s really very special.

As a late 1985 car, this 944 benefits from a number of updates including a new dash design, upgraded alternator, a new alloy wheel design and a larger fuel tank. The engine is Porsche’s 161bhp 2,479cc, 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated unit. The car fires up well and idles smoothly. It’s a great powerplant, offering a healthy slug of power and a truly engaging driving experience, especially combined with this car’s 5-speed manual transmission.

The engine bay shows some signs of light surface corrosion, especially on the strut mounts, but overall looks to be in very good condition, especially for a vehicle of this age. It’s clearly been very well maintained and cared for, as evidenced by the comprehensive service and maintenance record.

Underneath the car, the brakes, propshaft, suspension components and other drivetrain elements we could see all looked to be in very good order. We’re assured by the owner that the vehicle drives very well, handling, accelerating and stopping as befits a Porsche of this era.

With a stirring, naturally aspirated engine, manual gearbox, near perfect weight distribution and a practical 2+2 coupe layout, this 944 is very nearly the perfect classic sports car. It’s been wonderfully well kept, clearly all of its owners have cherished it and lavished it with anything it needed. 

While it’s been garaged and card for, it’s no trailer queen. It wears its patina and mileage proudly, as it should. This is a car that’s designed to be driven, to be used, to be enjoyed. And it clearly has been. What gives us real confidence in this car is the scope of the history file, which is startling in its detail, and the sheer quality of the restoration work that has been carried out. 

The paintwork is beautiful, the underside is in excellent condition and the cabin is in a fine, original, unrefurbished state. With a minimal amount of work, this could very easily be a show-stopper.

The 944 has long been one of the few Porsches that collectors have overlooked. Well, that’s beginning to change. More and more people are coming to really appreciate the fine proportions, lovely lines, genuine practicality and compelling driving experience offered by the 944. We think you’ll struggle to find a better all-round sports-car package.

So whether you want something you can use regularly, confident in its quality and reliability, or something truly special for epic driving adventures or classic car shows, you really have to consider this car. All Porsches are special, but this one really is very special.