1985 Porsche 911 3.2-Litre Carrera Supersport Targa

• Original C16 UK-supplied car
• Present ownership for nearly 20 years
• Extensively restored at a cost of over £40,000
• Offered with original books and manuals
• Extensive Service History

From the start of the 1984 model year, the 'Carrera' name - one of the most evocative in motoring history but dormant since 1977 - was applied to all Porsche 911 variants, co-incidentally with the introduction of the 3.2-litre engine. Although it remained an air-cooled 'flat six', the '3.2' motor was 80% new. Among other changes the '3.2' incorporated an effective cam chain tensioner and associated lubrication system, which at last addressed a perennial 911 shortcoming. There was also a 'proper' oil cooler, further improved in 1987 with the addition of a thermostatically controlled fan. A Bosch L-Jetronic ECU controlled the fuel and ignition systems for the first time on a 911, enabling the engine to be at the same time both more powerful and less thirsty. As a result, this enlarged and extensively revised power plant now produced 231bhp (207bhp initially in North America), 27 horsepower up on its predecessor, endowing the Carrera with a level of performance approaching that of the original 911 Turbo of 1974.

No major changes were made to the bodyshell, though there was a new front spoiler with integral fog lamps. The number of models on offer remained at three: Coupé, Targa, and Cabriolet. Only cosmetic changes were made during production of the Carrera 3.2, among them a redesigned dashboard featuring larger air conditioning vents, which was a new introduction in 1986.
As is always the case with the many Porsche 911 series, the limited-edition variants are by far the most sought after by collectors. In the case of the Carrera 3.2, the first of these was the M491 option, officially called the 'Supersport' in the UK but commonly known as the 'Turbo Look'. Introduced in 1984, it was a style that resembled the Type 930 911 Turbo with its flared wheelarches, large rear wing, and deeper front spoiler. The M491 package also included the Turbo's stiffer suspension, superior brakes, and wider wheels.

Finished in Grand Prix White, this rare Supersport – believed one of just 75 Targa examples built – was delivered new by Charles Follett Limited on Berkeley Square, finished in Paint to Sample (L999). More recently, the car was extensively restored around 10 years ago with over £40,000 spent on restoration. This included an engine rebuild at cost of circa £11,000 by Chase Engine Services and a respray by Spray Bay Immingham at cost of circa £7,000. Offered with a UK V5; old MoT certificates; expired tax discs; restoration invoices; a CD documenting the engine rebuild; Porsche Driver's Manual and Maintenance Record Books and a Toolkit. Owned by the vendor for nearly 20 years, the car is beautifully presented, with an outstanding finish both inside and out, and worthy of a place in any private collection.