£10,000

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1992 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet

Highlights

A very nicely presented 944 S2 Cabriolet in a popular colourway
In the hands of just its third owner and with a mileage averaging around 3,000 a year
Complete with a good level of supporting paperwork

The Appeal

The 944 arrived in 1982 to bridge the sizeable gap in the Porsche range between the 924 and the 911SC. Although heavily based on the 924, the 944 now had a 2.5L Porsche developed engine, basically half of the 928’s engine, so was finally considered “a real Porsche” by purists. The 944 was significantly upgraded in 1989 to create the S2 model. The introduction of the long-awaited Cabriolet coincided with the S2’s arrival. Power was now courtesy of a naturally aspirated, dual-overhead-cam 16-valve 3.0 L version of the 944S engine endowing the 944 S2 with some serious performance for the first time.

This example of the popular Cabriolet version of the S2 is a highly original and very honest example of the breed. With just three owners to date, it has clearly proved a satisfying ownership experience. In its current ownership it has been lightly but regularly used and is now ready to be cherished and enjoyed by its fourth owner.

The History and Paperwork

This 944 S2 was first registered in February 1992
This was the last model year for the 944 with the 968 appearing that year
The first owner retained the S2 until 1996
The second owner enjoyed the Cabriolet for a full 10 years
The current owner acquired the Porsche in 2006 at around 93,000 miles
In the current ownership the car has covered a further 4,000 miles or so
There is a good level of supporting paperwork included with the 944
This includes the V5 registration document in the name of the owner
12 months MOT, valid until April 2025
A number of previous hard copy MOTs are also present
The original book pack is included together with audio instruction booklet
The remainder of the paperwork consists of numerous maintenance and repair invoices
Key highlights here include a new clutch at 88,740 miles
Invoices show the cam belt and ancillaries have been replaced twice previously
The first was at 63,687 miles and the second at 94,436 miles
A bodywork repair is also noted to the nearside front in 2004

The Interior

The interior of the 944 was designed to represent a step up from the 924
As such the cabin is luxuriously trimmed and well equipped
The seats are finished in soft and supple grey leather
The high-backed “tombstone” seats are arranged into horizontal box pleats
The centre sections are finished in perforated leather
The condition is good overall with just some minor wear to the driver’s bolsters
The front seats are electrically adjustable
The rear seats are very much of the “very occasional” variety
They present in great condition as a result and are good for additional storage
The carpets are finished in a complementary grey colour
These are protected with Porsche inscribed carpet mats
The door cards are finished in grey with carpeted lower sections
The hood’s dark, fabric headlining is complete, clean and undamaged
By this stage the 944 featured an elliptically shaped dashboard insert
This houses the big, clear white on black VDO gauges
These nestle behind the grey leather steering wheel with an oblong boss
An original Blaupunkt Symphony radio cassette head unit
A couple of age-related imperfections were noted
These include a broken door speaker cover and a missing backrest release knob
The passenger side sun visor has also become detached
The boot is finished in its original grey carpet
The vertically mounted space saver spare wheel and tyre are present

The Exterior

This 944 S2 Cabriolet is finished in gleaming black paintwork
It is a livery that suits the muscular looking 944 very well
The condition looks to be very good for the age of the car
Inevitably there is the odd chip and scratch in evidence
The fabric hood looks to be in a great, undamaged condition
The Plexiglass rear window remains clear and uncracked
Light lenses and cabin glass all present well and seem original
The S2 Cabriolet sits squarely on 7J x 16-inch Porsche alloy wheels
These are the “D90” 7-hole items and would benefit from a refurbishment
A mixture of kerb-rash, surface corrosion and scratching is noted
A staggered set of tyres are fitted with 205/55 at the front and 225/50s at the rear

The Mechanics

The S2 944 was fitted with an enlarged 3L, 16 valve DOHC M44/41 engine
This was originally rated at 208bhp and 207Ib-ft of torque
Power was fed to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox
The car’s transaxle set up lent it near 50/50 weight distribution
This helped give the 944 a reputation for impressive and dynamic handling
In this configuration the car was good for a sub-7 second 0-60mph time
Top speed was well in excess of 140mph
The under-bonnet presentation is reasonable for a car of this age
The inner panels appear solid but would benefit from some detailing
The expected data plates appear to be present
The underside of the car, likewise, looks appropriate to its age
The car has clearly been well maintained with key tasks having been attended to

Summary

The 944 went on to prove a great success for Porsche. For those who were sniffy about the 924 for its Volkswagen heritage but couldn’t afford the 911, the 944 was a perfect answer. As such, getting on for 165,000 were ultimately built and sold worldwide. The Cabriolet was by far the least common of the mainstream models with a total of less than 6,000 leaving the factory. This fact, combined with the superb drivability of the 944 S2 makes this an admired and sought after model.

This example is a very honest example. It boasts an excellent background with just three owners and a modest usage for a car which is now over 30 years old. Almost inevitably there are some odds and ends that could be improved but they appear minor and easily remedied. The key maintenance, such as clutch and cam belts, have previously been attended to. As such this car should prove a loyal and highly enjoyable automotive companion for the next lucky keeper.

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Vehicle specification

Year 1992
Make Porsche
Model 944
Colour Black
Odometer 97,391 Miles
Engine size 2969

Listing Details

Seller type Private
Town Barnoldswick
Location Lancashire
Country United Kingdom

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