1988 Porsche 924 S

Highlights

• 2.5-litre engine
• Five-speed manual gearbox
• 160 bhp
• Pinstripe interior
• Extensive service history

Overview

It’s a shame that pop-up headlights are no longer fitted to cars. Not only do they allow for superb streamlining of the front end, but they’re endlessly entertaining to deploy. You’ll never get tired of watching them bob up at the flick of a switch. They add a splash of personality to a car in an inexplicably endearing way.

But the 924 S isn’t just fun to look at, it’s a riotously fun car to drive too, with 2.5 litres of engine under the almost horizontal bonnet. It deploys its 160 bhp of power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox, so you’ll be able to enjoy roundabouts, country lanes, and fast motorway runs in equal measure. All to the accompaniment of a Dansk exhaust which produces a sonorous note whenever your right foot desires.

And on the interior, the upholstery and trim are in fabulous condition for their age. It’s hard to believe that the pinstripe seats were trimmed way back in 1988: they remain free from signs of wear and tear, as well as providing excellent support and comfort.

This 924 S is accompanied by an enormous amount of history and documentation. Original owner’s manuals and instruction booklets are present, alongside a sizeable ring binder which contains stamps and invoices for parts and servicing stretching all the way back to when the car was new.

So if you’re looking for a well preserved example of a 924, then this very smart example has a lot to offer. You wouldn’t believe it’s almost forty years old, and it’s sure to make you new friends wherever you go.

History and documentation

• Registered 19 Jan 1988
• Stamped service book with services as follows: Feb 1988 @ 810 miles, Aug 1988 @ 11,363 miles, May 1989 @ 24,272 miles, May 1991 @ 38,228 miles, Apr 1992 @ 44,112 miles, May 1993 @ 49,662 miles, Mar 1994 @ 52,527 miles, Mar 1995 @ 56,613 miles, Dec 1995 @ 60,000 miles, Mar 1997 @ 64,784 miles, Mar 1998 @ 4,836 miles, Mar 1999 @ 11,724 miles, Apr 2001 @ 21,004 miles, Apr 2002 @ 23,825 miles, Apr 2003 @ 26,027 miles, May 2004 @ 28,383 miles, Apr 2006 @ 31,930 miles, Apr 2007 @ 34,330 miles, Apr 2008 @ 36,356 miles, Apr 2009 @ 39,203 miles, Mar 2019 @ 44,697 miles, Jul 2020 @ 50,947 miles, Mar 2024 @ 58,871 miles
• Additional invoices on file show services as follows: Sep 2022 @ 55,061 miles, Jun 2022 @ 56,703 miles
• The service book records a speedometer change in Jun 1997 @ 66,040 miles
• Large Porsche Club GB ring binder
• Original owner’s document pack
• Extensive collection of handwritten invoices for parts and servicing
• Some old MOT certificates on file
• Two keys
• Current MOT expires 3 Apr 2025
• Only a few years away from the 40-year MOT and road tax exemption
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Current owner since Oct 2018
• Only five former keepers
• HPI clear

Interior

• The interior of this 924 is in very smart condition for its age
• Pinstripe cloth and half-leather upholstery suits the car very well
• The upholstery is in excellent shape throughout — the driver’s seat shows almost no signs of use
• Manually adjustable seats, with supportive bolsters and integrated headrests
• Three-point seatbelts for all four passengers
• The black carpets are very clean and tidy
• Recently fitted Porsche-branded footwell mats
• Door cards free from scuffs and scrapes
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel
• There are some cracks on the top of the dashboard, which is not unusual for a 924 of this period
• Clear, analogue instruments
• The instrument cluster features unusual cone-shaped glass
• Auxiliary gauges in the centre of the dashboard: oil pressure, engine temperature, and clock
• The seller reports that everything in the cabin works, other than the Kenwood stereo
• Rear seating for two
• Headlining in good clean condition
• Fully carpeted boot to the rear
• Underneath the boot floor, the body panels appear to be in good condition
• Digital clock (time) not functioning (common issue)

Exterior

• Classic 80s wedge-shaped design
• Unmissable wrap-around rear windscreen
• Pop-up headlights
• The silver paintwork remains very presentable
• There are a few stone chips, but no larger areas of damage
• Body panels well preserved, with no obvious dents or damage
• The seller reports a small area of bubbling next to the nearside rear light cluster
• The 15-inch alloy wheels were refurbished in Jan 2017
• Pirelli Cinturato P6 tyres, said to retain plenty of tread
• No scratches or scuffs to the wheels
• ‘924 S’ decals on the doors and bootlid
• Some chips and scuffs on the wing mirrors
• The underside of the car is clean for its age, with some surface corrosion on the suspension components
• The exhaust looks relatively recently fitted

Mechanical

• 2,479 cc four-cylinder, water-cooled engine
• Produces 160 bhp
• Five-speed manual transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• Engine bay clean and tidy
• The service book records a cambelt change in Apr 2024
• The engine oil was flushed and changed in Mar 2024
• Antifreeze, brake discs and brake pads were changed in Jun 2023
• In Sep 2022 the oil was changed, steering couplings replaced, a wheel bearing was changed, and the engine was tuned
• The seller tells us that the car starts easily, handles beautifully and has very good brakes
• The Dansk exhaust produces a nice, raspy note
• No mechanical issues or warning lights reported

Summary

You can bring back the best of the 1980s in this 924 S, with its pop-up headlights, pinstripe fabrics, and powerful 2.5-litre engine. Truly a car to be used and enjoyed.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Banchory, Aberdeenshire.