Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet 1990
General description :
Model History
The 944 used a water-cooled four-cylinder engine mounted at the front with the gearbox mounted at the rear to provide better weight distribution; this resulted in one of the best handling cars to come out of the 1980s.
The aim of the 944 was to provide a luxurious long distance cruiser as well as an exciting and powerful road car. Its body was based on the 924 Carrera GT, and like the 924 it had a sloping glass hatchback for a more practical luggage storage area. It was introduced for sale in 1982 and production ran for 10 years. It came as either a 2+2 coupe or as an attractive cabriolet. There were several models made but it's the S2 that is featured here.
The S2's engine capacity was raised to 3-litres, making it the largest four-cylinder engine in the world at the time, providing an impressive 208hp and 207lb of torque. It was Porsche's official replacement to the 220hp Turbo and used many of that car's chassis components. These included its stronger trans-axle, drive-shafts, brakes, wheels, and tyres. It looked just like a Turbo too; the wrap-around front bumper smoothed its snout, simple and attractive alloys filled the flared arches, and the under slung rear wing firmed up its tail styling.
When launched its main competition came from the Audi Quattro and Lotus Esprit Turbo. The S2 out-accelerated the Quattro in 0-60 and 1/4 mile sprints and was just a smidgen behind the Esprit, but its main trump card was its flexibility. In 4th gear every 20mph increment from 10-100mph took less than 7 seconds. No turbocharged car of the time could match this consistency nor deliver the sort of effortless and decisive progress. This smooth power delivery gave the S2 the throttle sensitivity for some predictable and very entertaining cornering.
Equipment
Guards Red paintwork, Black pinstripe velour upholstery and door cards, Electric folding soft-top in black, 16-inch Design 90 alloy wheels with coloured Porsche crests, Electrically adjustable front seats, Electrically adjustable door mirrors, Headlamp washers, Original Panasonic CQ-F35 cassette radio, Digital clock, Alarm system, ABS, Cigarette lighter, Ashtray, Space saver spare wheel, Tailored carpet mats, Original bill of sale, Original sales brochure and price list, ‘G944’ registration number.
Exterior
This low mileage S2 Cabriolet presents beautifully in classic Guards Red. The paint maintains a deep, glossy shine throughout with little more than a handful of light frontal stone chips to report. Each panel remains straight and true, and there’s no evidence of corrosion in any of the usual areas. All the black trims, including the door handles and rubber window seals, remain in fine fettle with no fading or damage to note. Part of the 944’s charm is of course the pop-up headlights, both of which function without fault. Likewise, the electric hood still operates smoothly and is quickly stowed for those fair-weather drives.
VIEWINGS WELCOME BY APPOINTMENT ONLY /// ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Interior
Glancing across the pristine cabin it’s hard to believe this car is actually 30 years old. Both the seats and door cards are upholstered in soft pinstripe velour (cloth door cards a factory option) with supple leatherette trim extending from the bolsters to the headrests. There are no unsightly blemishes or worn areas to be found, even to the driver’s bolster, with other details such as the gearknob, steering wheel and dash still very fresh indeed. The switchgear is also unmarked, with modern refinements that include electric windows, heated and electric door mirrors, and electrically adjustable seats for optimal comfort and convenience. Another great feature is the factory-fit Panasonic CQ-F35 cassette radio, well suited to the interior aesthetic and pleasingly still in place after all these years.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The 3-litre engine sparks into life first turn of the key, producing a wonderful soundtrack as it propels you from 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds, and relentlessly on to a top speed of 149mph. The five-speed manual gearbox is essential to this performance and remains feeling as tight and precise as ever.
The engine bay is remarkably well preserved, not overly dressed but in outstanding original condition throughout. Looking closely there are no signs of any damage, corrosion, or poor repair to be found. Following inspection the car appears in great mechanical shape, most recently benefiting from a cambelt change in May this year at the current mileage.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The 944 sits on its original 16-inch Design 90 alloy wheels with coloured Porsche crests, all of which present to an impeccable standard. They are wrapped in a matching set of quality Bridgestone tyres that have seen less than 100 miles of use since fitment. The brake discs and pads also show plenty of life left, feeling strong and responsive on test, confidently pulling the car to a halt.
History File
This low mileage S2 was first registered in January 1990. It was supplied new by our local Porsche main dealer, AFN Limited in Guildford. Most interestingly, when the first owner took delivery of her brand new car she actually lived in the lane opposite our current showroom! 30 years and just 1 keeper later the Porsche has returned to Kingsley, now offered for sale with its original ‘G944’ registration number and a mere 57k miles from new.
The car remained with its first owner from January 1990 until June 2016, when it was purchased by the current keeper for his large private collection. Despite covering very few miles in recent years the 944 has received two cambelt changes (most recently in May 2020), a full service, four new tyres, a new fuel pump and filter, battery, bonnet struts, and new brake fluid – all this within the last 100 miles or so. We have also had the car fully inspected on arrival with us for the new keeper’s peace of mind.
Present in the History File you’ll find an S2 sales brochure, price list, and even the original bill of sale from AFN Porsche, which shows this car to have cost an eye-watering £37,169.23 back in January 1990. A letter from the previous owner explains how the service booklet was unfortunately mislaid while also confirming that servicing was carried out by AFN Porsche and then Camtune in Godalming. Given the overall exquisite condition of the car it’s clear to see this one has led a truly pampered lifestyle.
http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/porsche-944-s2-cabriolet-for-sale/
1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Kingsley by 4 Star Classics for £17995.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Porsche Model : 944 Model Version : S2 Cabriolet Engine size : 3.0 Model Year : 1990 Sub type : Convertible Location : Hampshire
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About Porsche 944
While the Porsche 944 shares some similarities with the Porsche 924, it is not accurate to say that the 944 is simply a 924 turned into a real sports car. The Porsche 944 was designed as a successor to the Porsche 924, but it featured significant changes and improvements that set it apart from its predecessor.One of the most significant changes was the introduction of a new engine. While the Porsche 924 was powered by an Audi-sourced engine, the Porsche 944 featured a Porsche-designed inline-four engine, which was based on the engine from the Porsche 924 Carrera GT. The engine was mounted in the front of the car, but was located further back in the chassis than in the 924, which helped to improve handling and balance.
The Porsche 944 also featured a revised suspension system, with a wider track and a more advanced rear suspension setup than the 924. These changes helped to improve the car's handling and make it more responsive and agile.
Additionally, the Porsche 944 featured a revised body design, with a more aerodynamic shape and a more aggressive look than the 924. The car was also available with a range of performance upgrades, including a turbocharged engine and a range of sport suspension and brake packages.
Overall, while the Porsche 944 may have shared some components with the Porsche 924, it was a significant improvement over its predecessor and is widely regarded as a genuine Porsche sports car in its own right.