1987 | Porsche 944 Turbo

Introduced in 1984, the Porsche 944 traced its origins to the earlier 924, though the new body style featured wider, angular wings and the new 2.5 litre four-cylinder engine was developed in-house by Porsche engineers. Motoring journalists described the 944 as a ‘proper Porsche’. The Audi-produced transaxle gave this high-performance sports car great weight distribution, and the handling of this model was unsurpassed in its class. In January 1985, the flagship 944 model was launched: the 944 Turbo. It featured an aerodynamically improved front end with integrated fog lights and main beam. The 2.5-litre engine was turbocharged, delivering 220 PS, and giving the car a 160mph capability. Indeed, our company founder fondly remembers a drive at an indicated 159mph round the MIRA proving ground in 1989. Windy conditions meant the car would not quite reach 160mph that day! This particular 944 Turbo, the first we have had for some time has a most interesting history. It was supplied on February 21st, 1987, to the chief of the Moving Picture Company in London. Hence the distinctive plate 188 TMP which stays with the car. London-based MPC are now a multinational and have been visual effects, CGI, and animation experts for several decades, working on many well-known cinematic blockbusters. The specification of this example included ABS brakes, leather comfort seats, sunroof and aircon. Early serving was done by supplying London dealer Motortune. The 944 had covered over 20,000 miles by the end of 1988 and at 3 years and 36,000 miles the car was serviced by Hedro Specialist Cars in Hull, whose plates are still on the car. Every MOT is present in the history file, and by 1994 the car had covered almost 68,000 miles.




We have detailed estimates and invoices from JCT 600 Porsche from 1995 which followed a period when the car was not used. The work was comprehensive and what began as a 12,000 mile service and recommissioning became a substantial job, including new clutch, flywheel, brake discs, calliper rebuild and once the mechanical work was done, the owner decided to have a full respray carried out by JCT600 who with their Porsche, Ferrari and Aston Martin franchises had what was probably the best paint and body facility in Northern England. The work totalled more than £8,600 and some 29 years later, the quality of the job is self-evident. Only 18,000 miles have been covered since then and the MOT history reveals that the car has spent much of its life in storage. Indeed, in the last ownership, only 8,000 miles have been covered in 12 years. The previous owner spent his early years as a motor vehicle technician and that shows in how this car, his pride and joy, has been maintained. Importantly, the timing and balance shaft belts were replaced in 2019 at 85064 miles at a cost of £600 and the belt tension was inspected just 1200 miles ago.


On the road, the car is a delight and brings back memories of how amazingly these cars drove, back in the late 1980s. On the road it is flawless and the power once the turbo kicks in is smooth and exhilarating. Though now over 37 years old, most of the car's life it has been garaged and the superb originality of the interior and carpeting is extraordinary. This is a car so well suited to long distance touring, with sensational performance, and a taut but comfortable ride, devoid of the bone-jarring harshness associated with many more modern supercars. This really is quite a machine! £23,995