1986 Porsche 944 Turbo

The Porsche 944 was designed as a less expensive way into Porsche ownership. With a watercooled inline-4 up front, four seats and a transaxle providing perfect 50/50 weight distribution, it didn’t take long for enthusiasts to realize that this entry level offering punched far above its weight when it came to driving enjoyment. But if there was one critique the 944 faced from the beginning, it was that it just wasn’t quite fast enough. So, in 1986, Porsche debuted a turbocharged model, known as either the 944 Turbo or, using the internal chassis code – 951. In the US, the Turbo gave the 944 an additional 70 horsepower, and also gave the car improved Brembo brakes, different aerodynamics, and a stronger gearbox.

This 1986 944 Turbo is a very early production example, built in September of 1985. Finished in Zermatt Silver Metallic, this car shows just 35,500 miles and is in remarkable condition. The first owner of this car was clearly a driving enthusiast, choosing only the options that would make the car more fun to drive fast, and little else. One unique aspect of the 1986 944 Turbo is that it was the only year that you could order the optional 16” Fuchs wheels that are seen on this car. Legendary for being fitted to countless 911s and early 944s, these 5-spoke wheels feature a black anodized center, with a silver lip, and give the car a more classic look than the later wheel options on the car.

The interior is also quite unique in that, where most 944 Turbos were fully optioned with leather, this car was ordered with cloth sport seats. These heavily bolstered seats do an impressive job of holding you in place – regardless of the material they’re wrapped in – but with the rare cloth, you aren’t moving at all. The door panels are upholstered in the same material and the steering wheel was optioned with the 30mm elevated hub for an improved driving position.

Powering the 944 Turbo is a 2.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled inline-4 that was rated when new at 217 horsepower. The Turbo was uprated in numerous places mechanically, including a stronger gearbox with an altered final drive ratio, and external oil coolers for the engine and gearbox (which was only fitted in 1986). Stiffer springs were installed in the suspension and Brembo 4-piston brakes from a 911 were fitted at all four corners – meaning that the Turbo wasn’t just faster in a straight line but had the handling chops to match.

In 1986 just over 7,500 944 Turbos made their way to the United States and few have been kept as nice as this example. If you have been searching for a near preservation quality example of Porsche’s beloved front-engined sports car, this is a perfect example.

Key Features

• Only 35,500 Original Miles
• Factory Cloth Sport Seats
• 16” Fuchs Wheels
• 5-liter Intercooled Turbo Inline-4
  • 217 Horsepower
• 5-Speed Manual
  • One Year Only Auxiliary Gearbox Cooler
• 40% Locking Limited Slip Diff
• 30mm Hub Spacer