Description
1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Special Sports Equipment
Rare and exotic Turbo body Super Sport
● One of just 34 genuine 911 Coupé Super Sports manufactured
● Special Order Linen paint (Light Bronze)
● Burgundy half leather interior
● Plenty of history, invoices and original Service book with 28 stamps
● Cosmetic restoration completed in 2015
● Just fitted new Pirelli Rosso P7 Tyres all round
First introduced in 1984 the Special Sports Equipment 911 (SSE) was based on the top-of the range 3. 3 Turbo. Originally only available as a coupé it was intended to meet a demand for the wide body styling and Turbo looks, but with a more gentle driving experience. The 3. 3 Turbo had gained a reputation for being tricky to handle, especially in wet conditions.
The SSE model, also known as the Super Sports (code M491), was a great success especially in the USA where the 3. 3 Turbo sales had been temporarily suspended due to emissions issues. Such was the success of the SSE option, cars were taken from the Zuffenhausen production line to a special build facility via the E –Programme. But only 75 of the M491 model were destined for the UK, of which just 34 were Coupé bodies built with right hand drive. The remaining 41 were later Targas and Cabriolets. The M491 specification included upgraded suspension with larger torsion and anti roll bars, and beefed up trailing arms. The brakes were Turbo items with cross drilled discs and four piston calipers. Wheels were wide 16 inch Fuchs alloys with lower profile tyres. The body was identical to the 930 Turbo; 123mm wider than the standard Carrera, with flared arches and the distinctive “Tea Tray” rear spoiler. The normally aspirated 3. 2 litre flat six made the Super Sports a more relaxed driving experience but it was only fractionally less powerful and marginally slower, with peak power occurring at a more useable 4, 000 rpm, and without the unpredictable turbo power delivery.
The subject of a cosmetic restoration between 2014 and 2015 this spectacular 911 Super Sport was ordered with special paint (L999) Linen which is a beautiful metallic pale bronze colour, with contrasting Burgundy (LX) half leather interior with Papyrus Piping to the front seats. The 16 inch Fuchs alloy wheels are finished as ordered in White Gold metallic. During the restoration the front wings, rear engine cover and rear spoiler were replaced with genuine Porsche items, before the car was treated to a complete repaint. The wheels were refurbished and the carpets were replaced.
Ordered in C16 “Turbo Look” UK RHD specification it was supplied new in October 1985 by John Lamb of Chesterfield it remains in excellent overall condition, having been carefully maintained by the Seller since 1997. It was driven regularly for many years prior to the restoration, and for the last 6 years it has been in secure, climate controlled storage and driven only on special occasions, covering less than 3, 000 miles over this period.
There is a comprehensive folder of history with the Porsche, including dozens of old MoT certificates and lots of invoices and receipts for work completed by a variety of Porsche Main Dealers and specialists over the years. There is a well used Service Book with 28 stamps for Servicing and fluid changes. The Porsche was originally ordered with cruise control, electrically adjustable front seats, with a heated driver’s seat. Other performance upgrades were included as part of the Super Sports package including a LSD, upgraded suspension and Turbo brakes.
Highly regarded by Porsche aficionados the M491 normally aspirated 3. 2 litre 911s are recognised as one of the best driving models, with useable power and rewarding driving characteristics complimented by the looks of the celebrated 930 Turbo.
