Highlights
- California car from 1984-2023, always garaged
- Comprehensive mechanical overhaul in the last five years
- Transmission rebuild with LSD added
- Full suspension refresh with all components replaced or upgraded
- Completed a 1,000-mile road trip around California
The Appeal
The Porsche 944 represents one of the accessible and indeed rewarding entry points into classic Porsche ownership, offering superb handling characteristics thanks to its near-perfect weight distribution and transaxle layout.
This particular 1984 example benefits from a life spent in the dry California climate until 2023, having always been garaged throughout its life. The current owner has invested significantly in mechanical improvements, including a transmission rebuild with LSD, a full suspension refresh, and numerous other maintenance items to ensure reliability.
With just three former registered keepers and benefitting from a comprehensive recent overhaul, this 944 presents an opportunity to acquire a solid example of Porsche's celebrated front-engined transaxle sports car that's ready to be enjoyed.
The vendor says:
"The car is very fun to drive. The upgraded suspension enhances the cars already incredible handling. The car is happy in all environments. It's the perfect grocery getter, the perfect back road blazer, as well as the perfect road trip car. I have taken this car on many long road trips and it's very comfortable indeed. A 1000-mile road trip around California is the longest. It also gets a lot of attention and brings back memories for many people. Every time I drive it, I get people coming to to ask me about it."
This particular 1984 example benefits from a life spent in the dry California climate until 2023, having always been garaged throughout its life. The current owner has invested significantly in mechanical improvements, including a transmission rebuild with LSD, a full suspension refresh, and numerous other maintenance items to ensure reliability.
With just three former registered keepers and benefitting from a comprehensive recent overhaul, this 944 presents an opportunity to acquire a solid example of Porsche's celebrated front-engined transaxle sports car that's ready to be enjoyed.
The vendor says:
"The car is very fun to drive. The upgraded suspension enhances the cars already incredible handling. The car is happy in all environments. It's the perfect grocery getter, the perfect back road blazer, as well as the perfect road trip car. I have taken this car on many long road trips and it's very comfortable indeed. A 1000-mile road trip around California is the longest. It also gets a lot of attention and brings back memories for many people. Every time I drive it, I get people coming to to ask me about it."
History and Paperwork
- LHD California car from 1984-2023
- Always garaged
- Historic vehicle - MOT exempt, Road Tax exempt, ULEZ compliant
- 1st registered keeper: 1984-2020 (stopped driving ~2000)
- 2nd registered keeper: 2020-2020 (restored to running condition)
- 3rd registered keeper: 2020-2025 (imported to UK in 2023)
- 0 former UK registered keepers
- Car was professionally inspected and deemed safe after a collision; repairs were covered by insurance
- 126,801 miles indicated
- Has completed a 1,000-mile road trip around California
The Condition
- Paint presents in smart condition for its age, while not perfect
- Several rock chips and small scratches from use
- The offside sill has a dent at the bottom
- The vendor notes only one very small bit of surface rust by the rear hatch pin, where paint has peeled off
- Rear left quarter panel has several marks: a large swirl in paint, some chips, and a water mark-like blemish
- Sunroof is slightly warped, but doesn't affect performance or leak, we are told
- Rear right quarter panel and right side door have been repaired and resprayed after a slow parking lot collision
- All looks very clean under the car, mostly just surface rust on suspension components since being in the UK
- Underbody protective coating still intact
- Momo wheel and hub can be included for £250, original wheel included regardless
- Leather mostly still looks in very good order
- Some wear on seat bolsters
- Scratch on the driver's seat
- Rear seats look in very good order (rarely used)
- Carpets in good condition
- Rear removable carpets have some small tears
- Trunk carpet has a dark oil-like stain
- Radio doesn't save station presets
- Original tool kit present
- A fitted car cover is included in the sale: has a small rip in the front from high winds, but still retains a good tight fit
- Light brown dash cover will be included
- Sunroof cover will be included
- A spare DME Relay that will be included with the car
- The original US LHD headlights will be included with the car (useful for anyone looking to import the vehicle to Europe)
The Mechanics
- 2.5-litre inline-four
- Five-speed manual transmission with LSD
- Driven regularly, we are told
- Parking brake spring failing (can be operated by pulling the button out manually)
- Cruise control doesn't work properly (can only accelerate or brake, not hold steady speed)
- Front right suspension has a clunk (likely worn sway bar bushing)
- Needs new rotors (parts available but not installed)
- New two front wheel bearing kits to be included in the sale
- The vendor states that the car doesn't need front wheel bearings replaced, but one needs to remove them to replace rotors, so it makes sense to do it now
- AC works but uses R12 (needs conversion to R134a at next recharge): the vendor has a conversion kit that is available for £100 additional
- No expense spared over the last five years
- Transmission rebuild with LSD added
- New clutch
- New master cylinder
- New slave cylinder
- Full suspension refresh (all components replaced or upgraded)
- Set up as road car (slightly stiffer than stock but comfortable for daily driving)
- New water pump
- New belts
- New front engine seals
- New oil cooler seal
- Many other seals replaced as leaks were fixed
- New radiator
- New expansion tank
- New spark plugs
- New ignition cables
- New coils
- New distributor cap
- New washer tank
- New hosing
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