1988 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Targa Manual

Highlights 

• Iconic '80s convertible air-cooled 911

• Impressive history file

• Service stamps up to 119K miles

• G50 Gearbox

• Tidy, usable example

• Long MOT

Overview

We've always had a soft spot for the G Model 911s. After all, it was the generation that spawned the 930 Turbo, one of the most bonkers 911s to ever grace tarmac and a denizen of many a budding petrolhead's bedroom wall in the 1980s, ours included. 

There's just something about that classic shape, sprinkled with a touch more muscularity than the original F Model that came before it that floats our collective boat, but who would have thought that we may never have been blessed with the myriad Porsches that followed, with the SC looking at one point in the late '70s to be the last iteration of the 911.

Thankfully Porsche listened to its customers, customers who were buying way more 911s than the V8-equipped 928 that was to be the iconic car's replacement, so after the SC came the Carrera 3.2 in 1984. Continuing the 911s air-cooled tradition and reviving the Carrera name for the first time since 1977, the 3.2 Carrera featured a six-cylinder boxer engine with an increased capacity of 3.2-litres and a whole host of improvements over the previous motor. Developing over 230bhp and with a 0-60mph time of around five-and-a-half seconds it certainly had plenty of get up and go and was a fitting send off for the beloved G Model. 

The example we have available is a 1988 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Targa in decent condition and with impressive service history. There are a few marks here and there as well as some previous professional repairs but the beauty of this particular 911 is its inherent usability. With just enough miles under its belt to eschew any anxiety of actually getting out and about behind the wheel it would suit someone who really just wants to enjoy the benefits of owning and driving a late '80s Porsche 911.

History and documentation

• 1988 model year

• V5C present and correct

• First registered 17/05/1988

• In current ownership since October 2020

• Original book pack

• Two keys

• Service history with original service book showing inspections at the following intervals: service at 1,253 miles (1988 – main dealer), service+oil change at 11,817 miles (1989), brake fluid at 14,041 miles (1990 – main dealer), service+oil change at 16,377 miles (1991 - specialist), service+oil change at 26,229 miles (1993 – specialist), oil change at 28,618 miles (1994 – specialist), oil change at 34,659 miles (1995 – specialist), service+oil change+brake fluid at 41,378 miles (1996 – specialist), service+oil change at 43,327 miles (1997 – main dealer), service+oil change at 55,200 miles (1998 – main dealer), service+oil change at 69,542 miles (1999 – main dealer), service+oil change at 83,784 miles (2000 – main dealer), service+oil change at 89,931 miles (2001), service+oil change at 115,712 miles (2009), service+oil change at 119,246 miles (2013), service + oil change and plugs at 127,996 miles (2019 - specialist)

• 2, and 7 year Status Report stamps

• Invoices for various parts and work throughout the car's life

• MOT until June 2026

• HPI clear

• 128,257 miles

Interior

• Original leather upholstery is wearing well with only light wear and tear commensurate with the car's age and mileage, most notably to the driver's seat bolster

• Dashboard and door cards are in great shape and remain undamaged

• Carpets appear clean and dry 

• The vendor reports that everything works as it should

• Sony CD/Bluetooth stereo head unit

• Steering wheel and gear knob look to be in good condition

• No warning lights on the dashboard

• The area under the bonnet presents well, as does the engine bay

• Comes with space-saver spare wheel

Exterior

• Overall the car is in great condition with only some minor blemishes to note

• Some slight damage to the nearside front bumper rubber 

• Small crack in the paint by offside side indicator

• The bodywork appears to be straight with no immediate corrosion issues that we can see

• The roof seems to fit well but has a small tear about the size of a five pence piece at the back on the driver's side

• The original 16” Fuchs wheels are all in pretty decent shape with no apparent damage

• Tyres are all Dunlop SP Sport 2000 E models with the vendor claiming that they have plenty of tread but are quite old

• All shut lines appear straight

• The underneath appears to be in decent condition but the car has received some professional welding repairs in the past to address corrosion issues (all documented)

Mechanical

• 234bhp, 3.2-litre flat-six engine

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• 150mph top speed

• Dansk exhaust

• Recent new fuel pump

• Kept on trickle charge by the current owner

• The vendor informs us that the car runs, drives and stops OK

• Slight sheen of oil on the underside

Summary

This 911 Carrera has lived a life, but it's a life that is far from over, not by any stretch. Any glaring issues have apparently been dealt with leaving the next owner to simply enjoy the spoils, and what spoils they are. Here we have an eminently usable 1980's Porsche 911 Targa with just shy of an entire year's MOT in its back pocket, and with summer now well and truly in full swing, what's not to like about that?  

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Ingatestone, Essex.