Porsche has garnered a sterling reputation for crafting world class, performance-centric cars over the years, but when the revered nameplate took a big leap into uncharted front engine, rear wheel drive territory, it raised more than a few eyebrows - after all, the Panamera and the shapely line of Porsche SUVs we've become accustomed to seeing were still decades a way from debuting. Their gamble paid off - decked out in an attention getting exterior shade while still powered by... its original engine, this 1984 Porsche 944 represents one of Porsche's most popular models of all time. This car is a lot of fun to drive and it's received quite a bit of maintenance to ensure that it offers plenty of road-readiness to go along with its memory evoking appearance. The bright red shade this icon wears represents one of the most sought-after colors of its era and it's not only the color but the actual paint this 944 began life with. Despite having never ventured into the paint booth for a freshening up, its head-turning abilities are still very much intact and, as you take a closer look, you won't find any serious issues to diminish your enthusiasm. A variety of contrasting black accents provides the car with a distinctive, finished appearance, including the Porsche decal across the windshield, the rubber bumper pads in both front and back and the rear spoiler on top of its hatch. Having also steered clear of any obstacles that might otherwise disturb its alignment, the doors and trunk open easily and the flip-up headlights - so often a sticking point for cars of this age - sit nice and flush in their lowered position and raise up to illuminate the road just as intended. The sunroof is a nice plus, as it gives you the option of open-air motoring when you so choose. Glance inside and you'll see right away that the leather interior has been a major beneficiary of this car's unusually light usage - it's only logged about 76,000 over its 35-year life span. The leather bucket seats at its center are in great form and are representative of Porsche's racing heritage, as they feature plenty of lateral and hip support to keep you in place during hard cornering. The dash area just beyond the stock steering wheel is also looking good, with clear, functional factory gauges in its instrument cluster and a straight, crack free dash pad sitting across the top. The air conditioning is blowing nice and cold and an aftermarket AM/FM/CD stereo is on board to fill the cabin with sound. Lift the rear hatch and you'll find a surprising amount of storage space at your disposal. There's a 2.5 liter, fuel injected 4 cylinder engine beneath the hood that packs a surprising punch for its displacement - just as you'd expect from a Porsche - and it combines with a smooth shifting 5-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential in back to make this car a lot of fun to drive. Quite a bit of time and effort went into maximizing this classic's reliability - a new clutch has been added, as well as a new head gasket, alternator, timing belt, water pump, and a variety of other components. Power disc brakes at all four corners provide prompt, reliable stops and power steering combines with the 944's road-hugging stance for excellent handling on its set of 15" jet black factory wheels that offer a great contrast to the red that surrounds them. Fresh and vibrant, this 1984 Porsche 944 holds the promise of plenty more miles of future driving excitement. Call today!
|