1986 PORSCHE 911

One of the rarer and more intriguing variants of the classic G-Series 911.

A UK-supplied 1986 Carrera 3.2 Supersport Cabriolet with just two owners from new and £50k+ of recent restoration.

Accompanied by its original Mayfair supplying dealer invoice and an exceptional history file spanning almost four decades.

Every so often, Porsche built a car that quietly slipped through the cracks of the mainstream model line-up, only to be recognised decades later as something rather special.

The Carrera 3.2 Supersport, Porsche’s M491 “Turbo-Look” option, is one such car.

Introduced in 1984, it offered buyers the unmistakable visual drama and engineering of the 930 Turbo - the wide arches, the whale-tail spoiler, the uprated suspension and braking system - yet retained the naturally aspirated Carrera engine. In many ways, it represented the best of both worlds: the presence of the Turbo combined with the purity and usability of the 3.2 Carrera.

Production numbers were small. In the United Kingdom, it is believed that around 75 examples were supplied, of which approximately 37 were Cabriolets.

Today, they are widely regarded as one of the most interesting and desirable variants of the classic G-Series 911.

The example offered here is particularly appealing.

DELIVERED NEW

Supplied new in June 1986 by Charles Follett Ltd of Berkeley Street, Mayfair, at the time one of London’s most prestigious Porsche dealers, this Supersport retains its original new vehicle order form and supplying dealer invoice documents, which rarely survive with cars of this age.

The paperwork records delivery of:

“One new Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Manual with Sports Equipment (Turbo Body)”

The car was specified in Guards Red, complemented by full black leather upholstery with red piping, an elegant and distinctly period combination.

Factory equipment included the electric cabriolet hood, air conditioning and other standard manufacturer specification features.

The original invoice records a purchase price of £43,521.32 including VAT, with a £2,000 deposit paid prior to delivery.

Just as importantly, the invoice confirms the car’s key identifying numbers, including chassis 91GS151828 and its original registration C929 BUL.

OWNERSHIP

Remarkably, the car has had just two owners from new.

Its first custodian, Mr M. P. Wolf of Finchley, London, purchased the car new in 1986 and retained it for many years.

Throughout its life, the car has clearly been owned by enthusiasts who understood the importance of careful maintenance.

MAINTENANCE HISTORY

The car is accompanied by an unusually substantial history file documenting more than three decades of maintenance.

Early servicing was carried out within the Porsche dealer network, including work undertaken by Dutton-Forshaw Porsche in St John’s Wood, with invoices covering routine servicing, brake maintenance, alignment checks and air conditioning work.

Further early records from Charles Follett Porsche document diagnostic work and preventative maintenance, including electrical system inspection and roof sealing repairs.

As the years progressed, the car continued to receive attention from well-known Porsche specialists, including Chris Turner Porsche, Carrera Sport, Diablo Engineering, Paragon Porsche Specialists and JZ Machtech.

Invoices within the file record regular servicing and a wide variety of mechanical work, including clutch replacement, ignition system servicing, brake system maintenance, suspension repairs and electrical diagnostics.

Together they form a continuous record of careful and knowledgeable maintenance.

RESTORATION AND MECHANICAL WORK

More recently, the car has benefitted from substantial investment.

In 2018, the body was restored by Pluckley Coachworks in Kent, including replacement front wings, lower sill panels and repairs to inner wing structures before the car received a full repaint.

Genuine Porsche panels supplied via Porsche Centre Tonbridge were used in the work, and the restoration invoices total in excess of £30,000.

Mechanical attention followed in 2020, when a top-end engine rebuild was carried out by Porsche specialist R Winder, including new piston rings, timing chains and guides, cylinder head refurbishment and replacement oil lines and seals.

At the same time, the 915 gearbox was stripped and rebuilt, ensuring correct operation.

Combined expenditure for these mechanical works exceeded £20,000.

DOCUMENTATION

Accompanying the car is an extensive archive including:

- the original factory order form

- the original Charles Follett dealer invoice

- Porsche main dealer service invoices

- specialist maintenance records

- restoration invoices

- engine and gearbox rebuild documentation

- MOT certificates dating back to 1990

Few Supersports come to market with such a complete record of their history.

TODAY

Nearly forty years after it first left Berkeley Street, this Supersport remains an immensely appealing example of the breed.

The Carrera 3.2 has long been recognised as one of the most satisfying of all classic 911s to drive, with strong torque, beautifully communicative steering and remarkable usability.

Combined with the wider Turbo body and chassis, the Supersport occupies a unique and increasingly appreciated position within the air-cooled Porsche family.

Supported by its original supply documentation, long-term ownership and extensive history file, this example represents a rare opportunity to acquire a particularly well-documented and carefully maintained example of one of the most charismatic variants of the classic 911.

MARKET PERSPECTIVE

For many years, the spotlight within the air-cooled Porsche world has focused almost exclusively on the 930 Turbo. More recently, collectors have begun to recognise the appeal of the M491 Supersport models, which combine the dramatic presence and chassis upgrades of the Turbo with the balance, reliability and usability of the naturally aspirated Carrera 3.2.

With production numbers believed to be limited to around 75 examples supplied to the UK - and approximately 37 Cabriolets - the Supersport occupies a particularly interesting position within the classic 911 hierarchy. Rare enough to be genuinely unusual, yet practical enough to be enjoyed on the road.

As appreciation grows for the more nuanced corners of Porsche’s model history, well-documented examples such as this - particularly those retaining their original supply documentation and supported by substantial restoration and mechanical investment - are increasingly recognised as some of the most appealing and collectable variants of the G-Series 911.