1987 Porsche Carrera 3.2 M491 Turbo Look Coupe

The Carrera 3.2 occupies a unique place among 911s thanks to its unique blend of classic 911 traits and more modern usability. As such, they are in many senses the ultimate usable classic 911 and have accordingly enjoyed tremendous interest from enthusiasts (and increased values as well). Included among these traits are the instantly recognizable 911 styling cues, air-cooled engine, Fuchs alloy wheels, and torsion bar suspension. However, with the addition of electronic fuel injection, a galvanized body shell for improved rust resistance, and various electrical accessories, the cars run cleaner, perform better, last longer, and are easier to use in the modern world than older examples. Nevertheless, the electronic components are quite simple, making these the last of the cars that can be consistently maintained by the DIYer not owning computer diagnostic tools. While Carrera 3.2s were built in great numbers, they are old enough and usable enough that nice examples have become increasingly difficult to find. This variety of factors has led to noticeable appreciation of values in recent years, and the fundamental appeal and decreasing numbers of specimen means that this trend is very likely to continue in the future.

The legendary 930 was as much an icon for its revolutionary performance as it was for its massive visual presence. Its flared fenders, front and rear spoilers, and wide fuchs earned it a place on the bedroom wall of an entire generation and it was therefore a disappointment when the 930 stopped being officially imported to the United States after the 1979 model year. As a result, for 1984, the Turbo Look (also known as the Carrera Sport, particularly in the United Kingdom) was officially offered, which featured all mechanical and visual traits of the 930 except for the engine. The official option code, M491, had been in use since the 1970s, and was actually used on the 2.8 liter 1973 Carrera RSR. The Carrera 3.2 Turbo Look upgrades included the 930 tail, flared fender arches, upgraded suspension, 7 and 9 inch wide Fuchs, and the fantastic 917-derived Brembo brakes. The cars sold in reasonable numbers in 1984 and 1985, but with the reintroduction of the 930 to the US market for the 1986 model year, the sales of the M491 dropped, and very few were produced from 1987-1989.

Incidentally, the dramatically improved G50 transmission was introduced for the 1987 model year, addressing the longstanding criticism of the earlier 915 transmission as being archaic. In fact, a 1974 review of the 911 Carrera (Car and Driver, if memory serves) maligned the 915 transmission, despite its having been introduced just two years earlier in 1972. Consequently, M491 Carrera 3.2s equipped with G50 transmissions are extremely rare, and the Coupe body style rarer still. An often circulated but factually inaccurate letter purportedly from Porsche Cars North America suggests that only 10 coupes were made for the 1987 model year, although the actual number is reportedly 62 US-specification 1987 M491 Coupes, of which just 16 were sold new in California.

Consequently, this car is extremely rare. A factory Turbo Look with a copy of its original window sticker, this car was sole new on the 19th of July 1987 at Carlsen Porsche in Palo Alto, California. Its original owner was a doctor living in Mountain View, California and retained it for ten years, obsessively caring for it. The factory options included electric sunroof, full power left seat, central locking, raised hub steering wheel, beltline leather in marine blue, Turbo Look package (a $12,593 option), and Venetian blue paintwork, bringing the total sticker price to $59,135.00.

Aside from a sophisticated stereo system and alarm system, the car was left stock, which remains true to this day. A set of custom speaker enclosures to replace the rear seat arm rests was created and trimmed in matching marine blue leather, and the original side panels are included as well.

The car’s second owner kept it for 16 years, purchasing it in February of 1997 with 98,000 miles and selling it to me in November of 2013. He is a PCA concours judge and improved the car cosmetically during his ownership, in addition to performing significant mechanical work to keep the car in top running condition. The level of cleanliness of the car is truly impressive and it is because of his fastidious care that the car is such an impressive specimen today. When we first discussed the car on the phone, he said “It would probably win some show and shines; it’s not perfect, for example the inside of the glove box is scuffed from the books sliding around, so I purchased a new glove box liner, which is included with the car.” At that point, I knew I had to see it in person, and I was not disappointed when I did.

The car’s condition is truly exceptional, both outside and inside and the mileage is a shocking disconnect from the car’s condition. I have a very original 38,000 mile 930 and this car’s condition is better in most ways. The paintwork is excellent, and all black trim is also excellent. The wheels were refinished and are basically unmarked. The car is extremely straight and all panels operate and fit extremely well. There is a handful of chips, a few on the rear bumper, some on the front bumper and valence, but the overall presentation of the paint is consistent with a car that has covered 15,000-20,000 miles. The black paint adjacent to the rear windscreen wiper blank off on the rear deck lid is cracked, which is probably the most egregious of the exterior blemishes. The glass is excellent, with the front windscreen having been replaced, and the lights and lenses are nearly unmarked as well. I believe the car was repainted at some point, although it was sometime before 1997.

The story inside is similar. It appears to be original throughout. The dashboard is superb, and even the orange gauge pointers (which are apt to fade) are in as-new condition. The switchgear, controls, headliner, carpets, and upholstery are all in fantastic condition whose presentation is shockingly nice for a 28 year old car of any mileage, let alone 125,000. The leather is excellent, with light wear only, and it’s difficult to fathom how an original interior could show so little wear. The carpets are excellent and there are blue Lloyds over mats as well.

The engine compartment is also impressively clean and unmodified, as is the trunk. The car is extremely complete with original books pouch with service book and owner’s manual, tool roll with tools, factory air compressor, and even the plastic tire changing gloves. There are also miscellaneous extra bits such as spare hub caps (one set has color crests, the other does not), rear seat belts (not currently installed), original rear interior side panels, a factory bra, and the spare glove box liner.

Mechanically, the car is very well sorted, and feels extremely crisp and tight. The suspension is excellent, as is the synchromesh. The engine runs well, and there is a very coherent feel to the car that belies its mileage. The clutch was replaced 4000 miles ago along with the rear axles, although the clutch take up point is on the high side. New shocks were fitted at all four corners 3000 miles ago, and new spark plug wires, distributor cap, and rotor were fitted 5000 miles ago. The car received new brake rotors at 110,000 miles, and the cylinder heads were rebuilt at 79,000 miles.

This is a fantastically rare opportunity to acquire a G50 M491 Coupe. This car has full documentation back to new and its condition is so remarkable that I cannot adequately convey it in words. Additionally, it is highly complete with books, tools, compressor, records, and copy of the original window sticker. It pains me to sell it, but I bought a 930 recently and I have two 1966 912s and a 1968 911 under restoration, and I have an alarming storage problem as well.