1988 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Sport

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 1980s sports cars.

The all-alloy, flat-six engine, which had been fuel-injected since 1971, received a final stretch to 3,164cc, giving a torque-rich 231bhp - enough to propel the lithe and slippery coupé to over 150mph, with 0-60mph 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.

If you turned the clock back 37 years and walked into your Porsche main dealer to collect your new 911 Carrera Sport, this example today is what you would be driving away. It’s obviously not a new car but it would take a good man to tell the difference as it has been restored using a substantial amount of new parts and assembled to an exceptional standard with a paint finish by AW Motorsport Porsche Specialists that is simply astonishing.

It’s not really surprising, as this is the result of a top German auto engineer’s passion (without being unkind we could say obsession) to rebuild and ensure that this Porsche looks and drives as it left the Stuttgart factory in 1988 destined for the Belgian market.

It was sourced as the best left-hand drive example available at the time, which was important to our vendor who explained the superior ergonomics of left-hand drive. The 911 was always designed to be left-hand drive and as such, the driving position is far superior to right-hand drive cars with no bias on the pedals and the correct 'detent' to the gearshift. This 911 was driven some ten miles for the photo session and we can confirm any left-hand drive 911 is a far more rewarding experience compared to right-hand drive export models. It’s a non-sunroof car providing a torsionally stronger shell for better handling and benefits from air-conditioning and the signature Blaupunkt Breman radio. It’s finished in a beautifully subtle shade of Marine Blue and naturally, the black leather and linen interior is showroom quality. It really is the best left-hand Carrera Sport to come to the market in our opinion and is almost impossible to fault. An excellent history file accompanies the car and contains multiple receipts for new sourced genuine Porsche parts, engine rebuild details, registration documents and much more.

We have waxed lyrical about this lovely Carrera Sport but, as one of our colleagues noted, with a set of German plates and a good photographer, you could recreate a 1980s Porsche launch brochure image, it really is that good. Come along to our Supercar Fest Sale and make up your own mind.