Introduction
Andrew Taylor
The word “icon” is often overused today, it surely remains entirely appropriate for the Porsche 911, however and, for many, the late '80s Carrera 3.2 represents this icon’s sweet-spot.
The long history of the 911 has been very well documented but this 1987 Carrera 3.2 comes from a very interesting time in Porsche history. This car passed through the Stuttgart factory gates in the same year that the saviour of the 911, Peter Schutz, retired from his Porsche CEO role.
Schutz, an American, joined Porsche as CEO in 1980. Within three weeks he grasped the importance of the 911 to the very survival of Porsche and dramatically reversed the decision to kill off the 911 in favour of the transaxle cars, the 928, 944 and 924.
Porsche folk-law has it that during a meeting Schutz had noticed a chart on the wall of the office of Porsche’s Chief Engineer, Helmuth Bott. The chart showed a timeline of the 928 and 944 model ranges extending into the future, whilst the 911 timeline stopped abruptly. Schutz grabbed a marker pen from Bott’s desk and extended the line for the 911 off the chart, onto the wall and out of the door. On re-entering the office Schutz asked a smiling Bott “do we understand each other?”.
This 3.2 Carrera model replaced the SC in 1984 and hence became the first in a very long line of “phoenix 911s”. The Carrera, reviving the haloed name for the first time since 1977, enjoyed a raft of very desirable upgrades. The enlarged and more powerful engine was claimed to be “80% new” and now gave 234bhp in Europe. The car received a new Getrag 5 speed gearbox, bigger disks all round and a hydraulic clutch. The “whale tail” spoiler, black and silver Fuchs five spoke alloys and significantly flared rear arches, for many, are emblematic of an '80s Porsche 911.
This auction listing was written from information supplied by Andrew after meeting Graham the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.
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I WANT ONEAsk Questions
Had the car had an engine and gearbox rebuild? Many thanks.
No, neither have been needed.The clutch was replaced and bearing upgrade were completed at 143,000 miles.The engine is strong , pulls well and smoothly with good oil pressure and temperature and the gearbox is absolutely fine.
Hi Graham, are you available for me to look at the car, likely on Monday?
Rgds Robert
Hi Robert,
That should be fine
Regards Graham
Morning Robert – if you want to have a visit then please contact the office as we just need to take some photo ID first. We’ll then organise it for you. Cheers Adam
Thank you, Graham, I’ll watch the auction with interest; I’m torn between buying a freshly rebuilt and restored car for x amount or looking for one for less to add my mark on in terms of engine work. Rgds Robert
Hi, I had to sell my 3.2 four years ago to buy a house. I’ve managed to recover my finances and am now in the market for another. I’m a life-long fan and owner of air-cooled Porsche and am looking for a car to drive and cherish. Mileage doesn’t worry me, but mechanicals and corrosion do. So, has there been any engine rebuild work done please, also any gearbox/clutch overhaul/replacement respectively? Are the inner wings and kidney bowls corrosion free? Thank you.
Hi Robert,
I perfectly understand your concerns.The chap I bought the car from in 2009 had the inner sills replaced .The B Posts and Kidneys are solid .Other problem areas in these cars , front boot area windscreen pillars/scuttle are solid.there is a tiny bit of corrosion on the front left below the headlight where it joins the bumper and a few bits of electrolytic blistering on the bumpers where the fittings are but certainly not serious and on these cars very common. The car has always been garaged and not used by myself On salted roads and kept clean and in a dry well ventilated garage.
The engine has not been rebuilt but has been serviced properly and although I have not racked up high mileage I have regularly changed the oil/ filter as a matter of course irrespective of the mileage done
The clutch was replaced at 140,323 miles and the release bearing upgrade carried out at the same time.
Regards
Graham
Thank you, Graham, I’ll watch the auction with interest; I’m torn between buying a freshly rebuilt and restored car for x amount or looking for one for less to add my mark on in terms of engine work. Rgds Robert
Vehicle Location
Swindon, Wiltshire
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