1989 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA CABRIOLET, PRISTINE, RARE, “WHITE on WHITE” PACKAGE

THE STORY

If James Bond hadn’t been assigned an Aston Martin and Don Johnson of Miami Vice hadn’t been assigned a Ferrari, this elegant and stunning 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet is what they would have driven.

One of the fastest mass produced automobiles of its day, 1989 was the last year an air-cooled Porsche left the Stuttgart production facility in Germany proudly displaying the iconic 911 badge of honor. It is the last of an era. This is why if it is carefully preserved as it is today, there is no question it is literally pointed in the direction of one day returning several times its current value as an investment, just as its finest ancestors have.

Moreover, it is one of an estimated approximately 100 911 Carrera Cabriolets with the dazzling “White on White” special order package where factory painted Grand Prix White 16 inch Fuchs wheels were matched with a Grand Prix White body. The interior and top are dark blue. Sunset Porsche’s Pre-owned Manager generously gave me approval to quote him after he said to me, “In my decades of selling Porsches in Los Angeles, Monterrey and now Portland, I believe I’ve only seen one example of this beautiful stand-apart combination.”

As the photographs attest, this is not just another red Porsche 911 with a tan interior and black wheels. More than just turning heads, its been known to induce whiplash! Well,not really, but it seems possible!)

THE CONDITION

The body is in near-showroom condition. No discernible rock chips, or signs of fading or scratches. The bumpers and external trim remain free of cracks or other signs of weather wear. The navy blue convertible top and rear window are excellent, replaced with the highest quality German canvas just over six thousand miles ago. The windshield and surrounding rubber moulding is new.

The last two pictures in the gallery display the extremely minor issues that separate the description of the car’s exterior as “near-showroom” from “showroom”. One photo shows an easily repairable minor rash on one of the aluminum wheel rims ( Fewer negligible nicks on the aluminum rims than you can count on one hand on the other three wheels combined). The second shows tiny imperfections on a small section of the metal panel that separates the trunk lid from the base of the windshield where a rock someone threw into the windshield landed. This was 95% remedied simply by buffing (even I didn’t notice any remaining issues for many months afterward when I was at the right angle in the right light). Together, these come pretty close to needles in a haystack, with the paint issue requiring close inspection to discover. They are the only things that comprise the “near” part of the “near-showroom’ description of the condition of the exterior of the car. The bottom line: Up close and personal, this 911 Carrera looks, and drives (more on that later), like a new car.

I have been the owner since 1997. This beauty has been meticulously cared for as the substantial records attest ( between fifteen and twenty thousand dollars - still tracking a few down) documented in both routine and preventive maintenance and upgrades) and has lived its pampered life since 1997 in a climate controlled garage. It has never been raced.

The interior is likewise excellent. All original, including the original Blaupunkt Reno Radio and cassette, much improved with five top of the line speakers. (As well as wiring for a subwoofer and an amplifier) The original leather seats have been resurfaced and the leather steering wheel wrap has been replaced and resewed. The dash shows no cracking. The carpet and all other elements of the cockpit, doors and elsewhere are beautiful.

Mechanically, the car drives exactly as it did, in every respect, when I purchased it with 23,000 miles on the odometer. A joy to behold. The vast majority of the miles on this car were racked up on long drives, between Portland, Oregon and Sun Valley, Idaho, which are by far the most desirable kind of miles to put on this particular engine. No smoke. No oil or fluid leaks (at least not on my spotless garage floor). Perfect oil pressure. Moreover, the exhaustive 36 point 30,000 mile inspection and service performed just six thousand miles ago included inspections for these kinds of issues.

THE UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES

Though the 911 Carrera series ran from 1984 to 1989, only the 1987,1988 and 1989 models were produced with the coveted G-50 transmission, which represented a giant technological and performance leap forward, producing smoother and more rapid shifting. This is the biggest reason the G-50 years are considerably more valuable than the preceding years. But there were other advancements and improvements for the 1989 model. which came equipped with larger wheels and a more rigid anti-roll bar for vastly improved handling. No question, the 1989 was both the best and the last of the highly evolved and perfected Porsche 911 Carreras with a 3.2 engine commonly referred to as “bulletproof” (if properly maintained).

Equipped with a Billy Boat high flow stainless steel exhaust renowned for the beautiful note it emits on this particular Porsche model, purring melodiously while idling or cruising, only to emit an unforgettable, respect-commanding growl when unleashed for attack. Between the “B and B” exhaust and the performance enhancement computer chip, there is an approximate ten percent increase in horsepower and torque. (The original chip comes with the car.)

But the highly unique quality the 911 G-50 Carrera has always been known for and which makes it such a desirable collector car today, is that is crossed a threshold from a Porsche sports car as raw, untamed,quirky,somewhat uncomfortable beast to an exotic yet civilized machine. That special appeal was due not only to the G-50 transmission but also to the introduction of creature comforts we all take for granted today like power seats and windows, a better ride and more.

To put this rare place in Porsche 911 history in perspective in 2019: You’ll have more fun than anyone you know running to the grocery store in a vintage classic one day, only to discover the fountain of youth soaring through the autumn leaves on a winding road, top down, the next day - or while charging down an open highway with so much control it feels like riding on rails.

Did I mention it has two back seats for very large mice or kids? And if you leave the kiddos at home there is plenty of room for luggage, making long road trips extremely practical - plus a couple sets of golf clubs anyone? - very few sports cars that can offer that.

For a great article describing why this is a “Supercar” that both Superman and Clark Kent will love, I invite you to read the following:

https://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/csc-features/the-affordable-supercar-porsche-911-32-carrera

THE PRICE BASIS

I have based the sales price on the average of the four most trusted, comprehensive and widely used valuation services. Hagerty, by far the most comprehensive of the four, values a1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet in excellent condition (not concours or a “number 1” car) at $54,500 as of September 2019. The following represent the other values for the same car in equivalent condition:The NADA valuation is $63,200. The Classic Car valuation is $54,000. And the Black Book values the car at $51,881. The average of all four (rounded down) is $55,880. Given that this Porsche is clearly on the upper end of the range of cars that would qualify under the very similar definitions of what constitutes “excellent” condition, combined with the rarity of the “White on White” package and the upgrades (though all stock beyond those) I thought this was the most credible way to arrive at a reasonable and fair sales price.

I will also include a windscreen,the original Colgan Bra and two very high tread Michelin X-ICE front tires.

RECENT WORK PERFORMED, EQUIPMENT, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

WORK PERFORMED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR

New Brake Pads. Calipers cleaned and lubricated

Four Kumho Ultra-High Performance All Season Radials

New OEM Windshield and Moulding

New AC Compressor, Fan and Motor

New interior dome and defrost lights

New High Beam/Turn signal switch assembly

New Battery

New Leather Steering wheel wrap and stitch

Resurface and recondition driver and passenger seats

New front headlight lenses

MAJOR WORK PERFORMED WITHIN LAST SIX YEARS AND SIX THOUSAND MILES

New German Canvas OEM convertible top

30,000 Mile Service

Interior

Driver seat power adjustments, Front air conditioning, Front seat type: bucket gauge,: Passenger seat power adjustments, Power door locks, Power windows, Wheel trim: leather, Tinted glass, Upholstery Leather, Anti theft system, Cruise Control, Blaupunckt Reno original cassette AM-FM

Exterior

Front fog lights, Electrically controlled side mirrors, Fuchs painted 16in. Alloy wheels

EVOLUTION OF THE 911 3.2 CARRERA

1984: New 3.2-litre engine with Motronic injection. Brake pedal pressure limiter helps reduce front wheel lock-up under heavy braking

1985: Improved oil cooling for flat-six engine, plus heated screen washers and electrically adjustable front seats

1986: Better cabin ventilation/heating, shorter-shift gearbox, and sports seats available as an option

1987: New five-speed G50 replaces G15 gearbox, anti-corrosion warranty extended to 10 years, plus more standard equipment

1988: 15-inch Fuchs alloys become standard, replacing previous ‘telephone dial’ wheels. Improved spec too

1989: Fuchs alloys increased to 16-inch, stiffer anti-roll bar fitted

1989 911 Carrera Cabriolet Specifications

ENGINE TYPEFlat 6

INDUCTIONNormally-aspirated

COOLINGAir/oil-cooled

VALVETRAINSingle overhead camshaft

INJECTIONPort injection

BORE X STROKE3.74 in/95 mm x 2.93 in/74.4 mm

DISPLACEMENT193.00 cu-in/3,164 cc

HORSEPOWER217 @ 5900 rpm

TORQUE195 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm

MAX RPM6560

COMPRESSION RATIO9.5:1

transmission

Transmission, G-50 5 speed

chassis

TYPERear-engined, rear-wheel drive

CURB WEIGHT2,866 lbs.

HEIGHT51.97 in/1,320 mm

GROUND CLEARANCE4.72 in/120 mm

LENGTH168.94 in/4,291 mm

WHEELBASE89.45 in/2,272 mm

WIDTH64.96 in/1,650 mm

TRACK FRONT55.04 in/1,398 mm

TRACK REAR55.31 in/1,405 mm

DRAG COEFFICIENTN/A

WHEEL SIZE FRONT16 x 6

WHEEL SIZE REAR16 x 8

TIRE SIZE FRONT205/55ZR-16

TIRE SIZE REAR225/50ZR-16

brakes

CALIPER FRONTFixed 2-piston/CALIPER REARFixed 2-piston

DISC TYPE FRONTVentilated discs

DISC TYPE REARVentilated discs

DISC SIZE FRONT11.12 in/282.5 mm x .94 in/24 mm

DISC SIZE REAR11.42 in/290 mm x .94 in/24 mm

performance

TOP SPEED152 mph

fuel

MPG CITY16

MPG HIGHWAY22

MPG COMBINED19

FUEL TANK CAPACITY22.5 U.S. gallons

REQUIRED OCTANEPremium unleaded (91+)