Revving Up the Nostalgia: 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo
Picture this: a 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo, the epitome of automotive prowess, powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four. Add a five-speed manual transaxle to the mix, and you’re in for a nostalgic ride wrapped in Guards Red over gray partial leather. It’s like slipping into a piece of automotive history with a modern twist. Adorned with 16-inch phone dial alloy wheels, this beauty doesn’t just sit pretty; it offers a symphony of features like an aftermarket exhaust, a rear spoiler, fog lights, air conditioning – the works! You’ll also find cruise control, a Blaupunkt cassette stereo, and the convenience of power windows and locks for a truly seamless driving experience.
Previous Ownership and Updates
This remarkable machine took a pit stop on BaT back in December 2021 before finding its lucky current owner in April 2023. Since then, a bit of love has been lavished on it with an oil change, a new oil pressure sending unit, and a repair on the air conditioning system. Now rolling into the present, the 944 Turbo is up for grabs, consigned by a dealer along with the manufacturer’s literature, an indoor car cover, a Porsche tire mobility kit, and some partial service records. Oh, and did I mention the clean Carfax report and New Jersey title? It’s as legal and pristine as they come.
The Styling: Guards Red and More
This Porsche wears its Guards Red (LM3A) coat like a boss, with the quarter panels having had a little touch-up from a previous suitor. Pop-up headlights and a rear spoiler add character, although the sunroof’s power tilt is taking a nap. But really, what’s a classic without a few quirks?
The Wheel and Tire Edition
- Silver-finished 16″ phone dial wheels
- Front tires: 225/50, Rear tires: 245/50
- BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 tires
- Brakes: Four-piston calipers with ventilated discs
The wheels spin in silver, while the tires grip tight with BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2, making this car command the road. And with four-piston calipers clamping down on ventilated discs at each corner, stopping power won’t be an issue.
Interior Comfort: Grey Partial Leather Heaven
Sit inside, and you’re cradled in front bucket seats upholstered in a soothing Grey partial leather. Amenities galore, including air conditioning, cruise control, and a Blaupunkt cassette stereo, bring modern comfort to the retro vibe. Dual front airbags are ready for action, while power windows and locks ensure you ride at ease. A tip from the history books: the air conditioning was updated with R134a refrigerant before, and an A/C system relay got some TLC in June 2022.
The Instrument Cluster
The four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel frames it all – a 180-mph speedometer, a tachometer with a 6,400-rpm redline, and other necessary gauges keeping tabs on coolant temperature, turbo boost pressure, oil pressure, voltage, and fuel level. With 32k miles on the odometer, add about 500 courtesy of its current owner, and you’ve got a vehicle that’s just getting started. The instrument cluster took a quick visit to the repair shop in 2018, received new backlighting in 2020, but total mileage remains a bit of a mystery.
Under the Hood: Turbocharged Power
- 217 horsepower
- 243 lb-ft of torque
The 2.5-liter inline-four turbo engine comes alive with a factory rating of 217 horses and 243 lb-ft of torque. Important highlights include a new water pump and timing belt in 2018, an oil pressure sending unit replaced in 2022, and an oil change as recent as November 2024.
Driving Dynamics: The Transaxle and Exhaust
Power is delivered straight to the rear wheels through a rear-mounted five-speed manual transaxle, complete with a factory-optioned cooler. The exhaust system sings a new tune thanks to a catalytic converter bypass pipe and a polished rear section. Plus, new clutch slave and master cylinders were installed in 2021 for smoother gear shifts.
Decoding Porsche’s Secret Language
- LM3A – Guards Red paint
- LQ – Grey partial leather upholstery
- 341 – Central locking system
- 395 – 16″ flat-dish forged wheels made by Fuchs
- 414 – External transaxle oil cooler
- 418 – Side protection moldings
- 454 – Cruise control
Those magical codes under the hood tell a story of elegance and engineering precision. And rest easy, knowing the Carfax report is as spotless as this Porsche’s paint.