1988 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupé

The 3.2 Carrera is revered as the ultimate development of the original 911 that first appeared in 1963. These final cars (before being replaced by the more complicated 964) were the most flexible and usable of Butzi Porsche's original design. Launched in 1984, and reviving the "Carrera' name for the first time since 1977, these were the ultimate 1980's sports cars.

The all-alloy, flat-6 engine, which had been fuel injected since 1971, received a final stretch to 3,164cc, giving a torque-rich 231 bhp - enough to propel the lithe and slippery coupé to over 150 mph, with 0-60 mph coming up in 5.6 seconds. Cars built from September 1986 onwards were fitted with the more user-friendly G50 'Getrag' gearbox, but all 3.2 Carreras feature galvanised bodies, which together with Porsche's legendary build quality, ensure that these classics are long lasting.

The car presented here is a UK-supplied (C16), right-hand drive 1988 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupé. This matching-numbers example has been with its current owner since 2005 and was bought from a Porsche Club GB member. It comes with an impressive history file containing an original and fully stamped-up service book plus 16 MoT certificates which help verify a current mileage of 104,000 miles. Reassuringly, amongst a wealth of invoices for servicing and maintenance, there is one for a top-engine re-build and clutch replacement from March 2015 (at 101,309 miles) carried out by a former Porsche technician at a cost of £5,659.23.

The car was delivered new on the 2nd August 1988 via Merlin Porsche of Chesterfield to a Sheffield-based customer. The car was taken back to their workshops for servicing at the correct intervals from 1,275 miles to 31,461 miles and later at Merlin Porsche of Cardiff up to 61,464 miles. The further 15 stamps in the book are from a local firm where our vendor entrusted a former Porsche-trained technician to work on his beloved car.

This lovely Porsche is finished in the rare paint colour of Metallic Blue Marine (35V), complemented by a full cream leather interior and is a standard factory 'Sport' model with Fuchs alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, electric pack and a sunroof. Special-order elements include Sport seats (383 & 387) and Sport shock-absorbers (474).

This car has obviously been well-maintained and presents, both mechanically and cosmetically, in very good condition. Rarely do we see these true classic 1980's 911s in such honest condition. Small details like two sets of keys, factory stickers still in situ, an original sales brochure and a complete Porsche tool-roll / jack help support this dutiful ownership. This is a simply lovely genuine example of one of the most popular and sought-after Porsche models.