Launched during an era known for its opulence, having the keys of a 944 neatly tucked into your Filofax symbolised a respectable level of social standing, without the flamboyant decadence of a 911. Hidden beneath the sharp lines and undeniable quality, lay the soul of a usable, surprisingly practical and enjoyable machine. 

With its roots humbly stemming from the able 924, Porsche regularly kept on top of the development and by the time the S2 944 was launched, the car had grown into a fully-fledged sports car thanks to its wonderfully sculpted and aggressively flared arches and inclusion of a new 16V 3-litre power plant. The Cabriolet version of the S2 was available from 1989 to 1991 and Porsche guaranteed that the structural reinforcement and additional torsional strength met the brand's desired quality of durability. Just under 4,000 RHD cabriolets were produced for the 1990 model year, making it one of the rarer variations of the S2 944 to be made. 

This 1989 944 S2 Cabriolet is beautifully finished in Guards Red with a well kept beige leather interior. With just two documented owners, it has seen indoor storage throughout its 49,362 miles and comes with a healthy maintenance record. Some of the original factory fittings include a limited-slip differential, electric front seat adjustments and cruise control.

The car's present owner has known about this 944 S2 Cabriolet since it was 6 months old, as he was a friend of the car's long-term owner, who purchased it in 1990.  He recalls conversations and experiences of him, painting a picture of a lively man who cherished his cars and wasn’t afraid to use them. 

It served much of its time being used on leisurely pursuits, with regular trips to the golf course dispersed with the odd European touring holiday. After a period of storage, the owner's firend took on the car and utilised it for the North Coast 500 tour, a 516-mile picturesque route around Scotland's northern coast, and then sold it to the present owner upon its return. The car is being sold as the owner has chosen to prioritise efforts on his other cars. 

It was first registered in October 1989 by Lancaster Porsche in Essex, and it served its first owner for almost a year before being acquired by the car's second owner, who then retained it for 26 years. Over this period, the car covered the bulk of its recorded mileage, with three dealer stamps in the service book and additional invoices to suggest that it has seen evidence of maintenance. 

There are copies of the previous V5 records, which show the vehicle's former date-less licence plate while it was registered under his company, as well as a letter of confirmation from the previous owner stating the vehicle's genuine mileage. The car was dry stored after being laid up in the mid-2000s until it was recommissioned in 2016 and subjected to a new cambelt kit and service by its third owner. 

It has since received £3,000 worth of work just 300 miles ago from AW Motorsports of Chichester including a clutch kit, engine mounts, steering column/pump work and service parts, with further invoices to support routine maintenance thereafter. The car retains its driver's manual and service booklet, as well as its original sales brochures, 2 keys, a collection of tax discs from 1997 to 2008 and a Porsche tyre compressor. The car will be passed over to its new owner with a full year's MOT as part of the sale. 

The tombstone front seats bear evidence to this 944's meticulous care and low mileage, with very minor wear and some mild discolouration on the leather finish. The rear seats are in very good shape, with no issues with the rear quarters of the cabin. All are free from significant rips or damage to the seat piping. 

The dashboard is in well-kept condition, with light marks in places but no distracting damage observed on the facia. The glovebox missing its stay bracket which constitutes the only significant issue of note. The plastic and leather combination has worn well, with the switchgear and controls in good functional condition. 

The car is fitted with an alarm and Panasonic CD/Stereo system with door-mounted and rear speakers. The driver's side electric window mechanism is operational but slow to rise. The headlamp operation is swift, with no issues with the function of the electric roof controls. There is light wear on the gearstick, gaiter and steering wheel but conclude an honest assessment of a premium car of its age and mileage. 

The carpet, door cards and mats have resisted the rigours of age well and are all dry with no evidence of watermarks. The headlining of the soft top is in very good shape, with no significant marks or damage spotted. The boot shows no evidence of heavy use and the carpet is in good condition with no dampness.

The structure of the car is solid, with the chassis rails, the tops of the struts mounts and inner wings all looking solid. The floor pan and jacking points are decent too. A check under the boot carpet, and in particular the engine bay reveals a positive picture. The even gaps and fit of the galvanised body panels suggest a healthy state of integrity, with no significant evidence of panel damage. It's worth pointing out that the front wings, in particular, have lasted well, although the rear panel beneath the boot lid may need minor adjustment. The doors all open and close without obstructions, with their respective hinges and gas struts all retaining their integrity. All door rubbers are in good shape. 

The Guard red paint finish is in very good shape, with a positive demonstration of shiny lustre, and evidence that it has been stored inside for much of its life. The owner has pointed out that both the rear wings have been repainted in the last three years, with a slightly different match noticeable from the rear of the car. 

The paint protection finish on the lower sections of the rear wings and front arches, show signs of age but have done a sterling job in protecting the paint but would benefit from a replacement. The bumpers are scuff-free, with a handful of minor stone chips noted on the front item and nose. The rest of the exterior trim, including the rear lower air dam, is complete and correct, with the slightest signs of age noticed on the door handles and wing mirrors. 

The glass is in good condition, with no lamination damage, cracks or chips observed on the windscreen. The rubber sealing is good throughout, with a little misplaced rubber trim noted on the base of the nearside of the front windscreen trim. The canvas roof is in good condition, with small patches of minor discolouration and the odd bit of loose stitching. It retracts and raises smoothly with the motors perhaps showing their age in terms of refinement noise. The tonneau cover is in excellent condition, with all of its poppers present. The rear plastic screen is in good shape with no cracks or significant discolouration. 

The lighting aspects of the car are all positive, with the front headlamps in good condition, with minor signs of stone chips noted on the black surrounds. The front bumper clusters and rear lamps are good with no damage. The 7-spoke 16” alloys wheels are correct for the model year and are in excellent shape, with no signs of abuse or wear. The car is fitted with Continental tyres and all are around 5 years old, and as a result, they reflect the car's low usage and are in well above legal condition with minimal signs of wear.

The engine starts up immediately, with no issues once the engine was left to idle, the oil pressure remained stable. No unwanted noises or excessive vibrations were observed on the day in regards to tick over, with no signs of excessive exhaust smoke or engine rumbles. The car is free from any straining on the power steering, with the battery strength suggesting that it has been regularly kept in check. 

The car is said to drive well, with no issues in regards to its ride. No wheel knocking or steering issues have been reported by the owner and he would be confident in using it on longer journeys. The 5-speed manual gearshift changes with no issues, helping to maintain the engine's flexible power band. The 3-litre engine’s presentation is delightful, with the current owner having taken the time and trouble to get the components up to a high standard. 

All of the key engine parts look good, the ancillaries, wiring and hoses are in decent order, with no evidence of fluid leaks noted on the day. The brakes are in good shape, with their ability to stop the car said to be fault-free with no drama or noise.

By the time production of the 944 concluded in 1991, it had become Porsches most successful car. This version powered by the then-new 16V 3-litre S2 was arguably the best of them all, being notable for the combination of its smooth and torquey power combined with positive feedback from the steering and handling. 

Furthermore, low-mileage Porsche 944 S2s are difficult to come by, especially ones that appear to have received the proper amount of care and attention. Along with the 944’s excellent parts availability, its sporty urge particularly makes it suitable as the ideal car that could be pressed for modern use.