Porsche experts agree: the 1987-89 Carrera is the best 911 ever built. Why? It's simple, really. It is the last 911 to feature a body style now considered "classic" and the first to incorporate technological advancements such as the vaunted GETRAG G-50 transmission.

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The Carrera struck the perfect balance between old school and jet age. It is a far cry from the hyper-complex, bloated, electronically regulated, heavyweight 4-seater offered up by Zuffenhausen today. No, this Carrera is the last user friendly Porsche that can be worked on with hand tools instead of plug-and-play computers. Thusly, 20 years later, the last 3.2 Carreras are eminently collectible sports cars.

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"Buy The Best original example of the Classic you desire, and you'll never be sorry!" is certainly great advice.
But finding a pristine example of the 1987-89 G-50 Carrera is not that easy. These cars are so good that many have logged upward of 150,000 miles; after 20+ years, they are finally showing their age, needing everything.
Not surprisingly, perhaps, resale values for the coveted "G-50 Carreras" are strong; typically, higher-mileage examples with questionable repair history carry $12-18,000.00 price tags.
Finding an immaculate 911, one of the top 1% of survivors, is like winning the lottery.
Here's one!

One of just 2,232 Carrera Targas made for the 1988 model year, VIN *WP0ZZZ91ZJS160595* comes with a full provenance, including a clean CARFAX report.
On March 29, 1988, the Nine-Eleven was sold at Santa Barbara's Gregg Motors, Ltd. to a wealthy Montecito film producer who used it sparingly, driving just 3,000 miles annually, on average.
In 2007, the car was acquired by the CEO of a financial corporation, another resident of this VIP-studded Southcoast enclave. He used the red Porsche as one of his many weekend toys, lusted for something else, and traded it in for a 996. Big mistake.
Hence, a unique opportunity arises to obtain a coveted 3.2 liter Carrera, one that spent all its life in a most beneficial climate, pampered beyond belief by two owners with big pockets and the willingness to pay up for the best service money can buy.

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Books, manuals, and documents found inside the red vinyl pouch include the owner's manual, faithfully stamped warranty and maintenance book, dealer directory, accessories brochure, radio instruction manual, carfax report, and service receipts. There's also a spare key set.
Let's now inspect this exceptional Porsche inside and out, starting with the trunk.

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Having been properly stored in a climate-controlled environment its entire life, never exposed to rain, snow, or road salt, this 911 appears like it has just emerged from a plastic vacuum bubble.

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Complete tool roll and original tire inflation compressor kit. Even the original OWAFIX gloves and small plastic tarp provided by thoughtful Porsche marketing men to protect your clothing in case of an emergency roadside tire change are still present.

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The naked trunk reveals the naked truth. Here, everything is as virginal as it gets. Concours ready, literally.

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Trunk details, clockwise from top left:

• "Smuggler's box" with A/C fan
• Cad-plated trunk latch with factory "red tap" markings, VIL
• Power brake booster, master cylinder
• Fuse box
• Untouched VREDESTEIN Space Master spare
• Paint label

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Area below trunk, including the front suspension pan, looks marvelous as well. It's damage free, clean as a whistle, with all factory finishes preserved in reference quality.

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What looks like a brownish layer of dust or baked-on road dirt here and there is actually the original Cosmoline coating, a waxy corrosion inhibitor liberally applied with a spray gun to the undercarriage after final assembly at the factory, for the sake of protection. Cosmoline certainly lived up to its promise on this fine survivor!

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Amazingly, not just the undercarriage, but also the car's exterior retains its factory original finish. Yes, the India Red (Indischrot, factory code 80K9-2) paint is 100% original! To call the paint "well preserved" would be a gross understatement; the truly marvelous finish has retained its magical luster over the years and still appears stunningly beautiful today. This Carrera has never suffered any damage; there are virtually no door dings or rock chips to report. Hood and door gaps are in perfect alignment.

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Porsche rolls on the optional (code M395), forged 16-inch FUCHS wheels displaying their correct look, down to valve stems and wheel weights. Fronts are 6Jx16, shod with brand new, unidirectional MICHELIN tires of the size 205/55-16; rears are 7Jx16 wearing 225/50-16 MICHELINs.

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Let's take off the featherlight, folding Targa top, which can be stowed inside the trunk to facilitate unrestricted open-air pleasures. Top has just been refinished with O.E.M. upholstery to the tune of $650.00 and is insanely perfect!

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With or without the top, this red Carrera looks striking.
Let's have a look inside now!

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Classic black 911 interior provides plenty of space, even for 6'6"-tall NBA players. Car is fully optioned with ice cold A/C, power disc brakes, seats, mirrors, windows, and even cruise control. Everything works perfectly, of course.

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The iconic 911 cockpit featuring five large, circular, white-on-black dials with bright orange pointers, a timeless design. You can't improve upon perfection! Note the new-for-'88 steering wheel.

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Perfect dash top. State-of-the-art PIONEER DEH-P4000UB audio system includes SIRIUS satellite radio and remote control.

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The inviting, 6-way power front seats exude a fantastic aroma; let's investigate!

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The car's owner could not leave well enough alone and had a local specialist install a supple leather kit sourced from Autos International, the premier supplier for Porsche upholstery in the United States. Total cost, including matching rear seat hides: $2,148.21! The fragrance of fresh Italian leather is intoxicating, to say the least!

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Leather rear seats. "Pristine" is the only way to describe them properly.

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How about a quick peek under the deck lid before we take off?

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Engine compartment looks bone stock and clean as a whistle. Even the factory decals are still in place.

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The indestructible 3.2-Liter engine featuring BOSCH MOTRONIC runs excellent, delivering 217 strong Teutonic horses at 5,900rpm. Yippiee!

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Frog's eye view. Notice stainless steel exhaust system.

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Engine's bottom end. Dry and clean, there's not a single oil leak to note. Remnants of factory Cosmoline coating are still visible.

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Perfectly undisturbed, the undercarriage displays all the factory-applied coatings, including some Zuffenhausen-generated paint overspray. Again, there's no rust, no flaking, no damage, just the all-original finishes. We don't think this car has ever been driven on a wet road!

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Since recent rains subsided and everything is nice and dry again, we feel comfortable taking the Carrera out on a test drive.

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Wednesday, March 24 was a gorgeous spring day here in San Buenaventura. With temperatures climbing into the mid-70s, we stowed the Targa top and headed for the hills.

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Driving such a low-mileage Carrera is a pure delight; praised be the German engineers. The car starts, runs, drives, shifts, corners, and stops perfectly.

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Naturally, a super clean Porsche like this one is a prime attention getter, garnering excited comments wherever you take it. From the air conditioner to the clock, everything works as intended. Service receipts accrued within the last 4,000 miles total $8,150.23 and include installation of a complete clutch kit, new front brake rotors and pads, replacement of drive axles, battery, cruise control cable, hood shocks, dome light, and A/C receiver/dryer. There's nothing left to do but to drive and enjoy!

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The GETRAG G-50 5-speed transmission with its BORG WARNER synchromesh system certainly can handle the Carrera motor's torque; the hydraulic clutch ensures ease of operation. Be it as a daily driver or a cherished collectible, this 911 provides unequalled driving enjoyment, free of depreciation.

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In twenty-five years of dedicated collecting, driving, and selling Porsches, we haven't seen another '87-'89 Carrera coming even close to this particular low-mileage specimen. It's a pristine car, inside and out, with full documentation and no stories. A true heirloom quality 911, with proper care it can be driven forever, until you are ready to pass it on to the next generation.

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Final words of wisdom:
Is this car "mint?" Of course not. No car that has been driven on the highway can rightfully be called "mint." It's a term best reserved for uncirculated coins. But, being a 21 year-old 911 that has always been treated with utmost respect by wealthy PCA members, it's as breathtakingly perfect as it gets.
And that's guaranteed.

Addendum:
We sold this amazing Porsche in April 2009 to a customer in California.

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