1988 Porsche 944 Lux Manual

Highlights

• One owner from new

• Comprehensive mechanical recommissioning in 2020

• Completely original and unmodified

• Extensive history file

• Desirable Guards Red over Light Grey specification

Overview

We’re all aware that the 944 was the result of Porsche taking on and refining VW’s aborted sports car programme in the late 1970s. Emerging from the significantly under-appreciated 924, the 944 was seen by enthusiasts as a “proper” Porsche as it used a Stuttgart developed 2.5-litre four-cylinder. Of course, this is actually the exact same engine that was used in late 924 models, but let’s not allow facts to get in the way of a good argument, eh?

Putting the internet flame-wars to one side for a moment, one thing is certain – the 944 was, and remains, a fabulous sports car. The handling is sublime, that transaxle layout making for excellent weight distribution and a low centre of gravity. That thumping great 2.5-litre, naturally aspirated four-pot is characterful and develops heaps of usable torque, the packaging is excellent and the whole thing is wrapped up in a gorgeous coupe body. As with pretty much everything else that rolls out of Stuttgart, they did it right.

Yes, the 944 was a genuinely great car when new, and is now a much sought-after and highly regarded driver’s car. If you’re after a comfortable, practical retro sports car with bags of space, thrilling handling, excellent badge cachet and superb build quality, then look no further.

Incredibly, this particular example has been with the same owner from new. They actually collected it from their local Porsche dealership at a minute past midnight on 1 August 1988, most likely making this the earliest ‘F’ registered 944 in Britain. It’s a tremendous survivor, and comes with a mountain of maintenance and servicing history. Having spent about 20 years in dry-storage from 1999 to early 2020, the owner had it recommissioned by marque specialists before enjoying it for a few more years.

Now it’s ready to move on to its second owner in 37 years, starting a new chapter in what is already an amazing life story. Cherished and now in tip-top mechanical order, we think this delightful machine is an ideal candidate for either a comprehensive aesthetic restoration or simply to enjoy as it is, wearing its patina proudly for all to see.

If the thought of a vehicle with genuine soul, character and history appeals to you, then this should be right up your street. Sorry, Straße. Verzeihung.

History and documentation

• First registered on 1 August 1988, purchased at a minute past midnight from Cooper Exeter Porsche Dealership

• One owner from new (originally a company car, which is why the V5 shows a change of ownership in September 1993)

• Dry-stored from late 1999 until January 2020

• Recommissioned by Porsche specialists ‘Marque 21’ of Dorset in early 2020

• 10x service stamps up to December 1997 (73,610 miles)

• 113,927 miles on the clock

• Full document pack, with original Porsche wallet

• Extensive collection of invoices, old MOT certificates, SORN notices, and various other items of paperwork, in a large folder

• Original first year (1988) insurance cover note included, which is a nice touch

• Original Porsche “Kinetic Art” Driving Experience VHS

• Original Porsche Care Kit, complete in case

• MOT with no advisories expires 16 Apr 2026

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• The private registration is included in the sale

Interior

• Handsome Light Grey leather upholstery, with complementary fabric seat centres which feature the Porsche logo

• All of the upholstery shows very well, with no significant wear, no tears and no sagging we could see

• The front seats feature electric adjustment

• Electrically operated side windows and door mirrors, which have a power fold function

• Light grey carpeting with black over-mats, all presenting in good order

• Electric sunroof panel, which is removable

• Original leather sunroof panel storage pouch present and correct

• Period Motorola 5000X wired car phone is still installed – a delightful detail and a true rarity

• Pioneer radio/cassette system with removable face

• All of the internal trim, controls and instruments wear a charming and natural level of patina with some blemishes and marks

• Overall the cabin is in decent condition, with wear commensurate with the car’s age – a professional valet would soon improve things no end

• Generous boot space, compete with original retractable vinyl load cover

• The vendor reports no faults or issues with any of the cabin features

Exterior

• Guards Red is always a great colour for a Porsche, and the 944 is no different – it’s the perfect shade to show off the car’s racy lines

• The paint is original and unrestored, so wears a number of chips, scuffs, scratches and marks which tell the story of its 37 years on the road

• There is a dent and larger scuff to the near-side front corner of the bumper and wing, but otherwise any wear is commensurate with the car’s age and mileage and, in our opinion, only adds to its character

• All of the external trim appears to be original and unrestored, and features some chips, bubbling and one or two minor cracks in places

• The bodywork looks nice and straight, with no significant corrosion or damage we could discern, with good, sharp lines and neat, even panel gaps

• The pop-up lights are working just as they should and, as we all know, pop-up lights make everything 137.2% better (it’s a Porsche, so the measurement is more precise)

• Underneath everything looks to be in great condition for its age, with straight sills and floor pans that wear no obvious damage or notable corrosion

• All of the glass shows well, with no cracks or chips apparent, and the original dealer sticker still present in the rear screen

• 16-inch ‘S2’ alloy wheels, which have been recently refurbished and look to be in excellent condition

• The alloys are shod in a matched set of Michelin tyres (205/55 front and 225/50 rear), which all appear to be in good order, with lots of tread and no sidewall damage on show

• The original Teledial alloy wheels will also be supplied to the new owner

Mechanical

• 2,479cc, naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder longitudinal engine offering 158bhp from the factory

• Rear-wheel drive

• Five-speed manual transmission

• Power steering

• Disc brakes all round

• The engine bay looks nice and tidy, with no corrosion or other obvious issues to note

• The vendor tells us that the minor oil leak noted on the MOT has been sorted

• Recommissioned by Marque 21 between January-March 2020, work undertaken included: new brake discs and pads all round, all brake calipers refurbished, new handbrake shoes, new front and rear brake hoses, new handbrake cables, new clutch, cambelt, balance belt, rollers and tensioners, front engine seals including crank seal, water pump and thermostat, oil pump drive, idle control valve, oil pressure sender, throttle body, PAS belt, alternator belt, fuel tank sender, fuel hose, fuel pump, full service with all fluids

• May 2020 - new gear linkage fitted

• April 2022 - new clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder

• September 2024 - new power steering pump, rocker cover gasket and various hoses

• We’re assured by the vendor that the car drives very well and is in excellent mechanical condition, with no reported faults or known issues 

Summary

The 944 is one of those cars. You know the ones, it seems like only yesterday there were lots of them about and then, all of a sudden, they nearly all disappeared. And now when you see one, you think “good grief, the 944 is a handsome thing – I’d love one of those”.

Which is an entirely rational thing to think. They are truly fabulous machines, and offer a genuinely great drive as well as that chiselled 80s styling. More than that, they’re increasingly rare and collectible, especially in the kind of unrestored, genuine and unmodified condition this example presents itself in.

One owner from new, recommissioned by a specialist and complete with enough history to give ‘War & Peace’ a run for its money – there are a multiplicity of reasons to fall in love with this handsome 80s sports car.

But the one that really matters is quite simply this: it’s a proper Porsche.

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 Bridport, Dorset.