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1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe – M491

We have featured a decent number of M491-equipped 911s and as the air-cooled market has continued its upward trend we have seen more and more of them pop up for sale. The M491 option package was conceived as a way to provide 911 customers in the US market a performance option that resembled the 930, but retained the standard Carrera’s naturally-aspirated 3.2 liter flat-six. That option package, in appropriate fashion, was dubbed the “Turbo Look” package. It was first made available in 1984 during the 930’s six-year hiatus from the US market and continued to be available, though was selected in far fewer numbers, even once the Turbo returned in 1986. The package included the Turbo’s front and rear spoilers along with its wider rear, complete with 930 suspension, braking, and wheels. Even without the extra power of the Turbo the M491 package was popular among enthusiasts for its superior handling and braking and many of these 911s saw a good deal of track time. It is only in recent years that their collectability has been recognized, but due to their performance focus even fewer of these already rare examples remain in excellent condition. For any prospective 911 owner desiring the appearance, handling, and braking of the Turbo, but without the highly-strung and maintenance intensive turbocharged engine the Turbo-Look Carrera makes for an attractive option. The example we see here comes from the second year of the package’s availability: a Nugget Brown Metallic 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe, located in Los Angeles, with Champagne leather interior and 92,863 miles on it.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe on eBay

Year: 1985
Model: 911 Carrera
Engine: 3.2 liter flat-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 92,863 mi
Price: Reserve Auction ($75,000 Buy It Now)

1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe, Turbo Look, Super Clean!

Auto Fitness / Classbenz Contact Jim @ 818-648-5223

1985 Porsche 3.2 Carrera “Turbo-Look” (M491)
This highly sought out, low production (1out of 137 USA 49 state) model built in 1985 features a sunroof (M550), central door locks (M341),automatic heat control (M424), cruise control (MM454), sport steering wheel with raised 30mm spacer (M018), Integral alarm (M533), as well as Turbo-Look (M491).
It is presented in it’s original Nugget Brown metallic (492) with tan interior and carpets.
This car was originally delivered with a Blaupunkt Monterey radio (M158) but this is no longer installed, in favor of a modern Pioneer stereo with a very nicely installed rear sub-woofer box covered in O.E. matching carpet. No modifications were made for this speaker box, and it is easily removed with no evidence of prior installation.
The air conditioning on this car has been upgraded to a system using R134a freon, a true rotary compressor, all hoses replaced with modern barrier hoses, an additional under floor condenser, as well as additional under dash vents. This Air Conditioning is COLD and reliable. Not something normally associated with early air cooled 911’s.
The car has 92,863 miles and has been serviced by world renowned Porsche specialists Red Line Service. Southern California’s premier and oldest Porsche only independent service facility, www.redlineservice.net. Red line has serviced this car through 3 owners beginning in 1991 when the car had 31,000 miles on it.
The car is fully up to date on servicing with Red Line, most recently performing a full 90,0000 mile service, replacement of the distributor cap and rotor disassembly, inspection and rebuild of both axle half-shafts, replacement of front brake pads, rotors, wear sensors etc., replacement of the R/R wheel bearings. Also a “leak-down” test was performed with the results as follows: Cyl.1-3% Cyl.2-4% Cyl.3-3% Cyl.4-4% Cyl.5-2% Cyl.6-2%.
This is a superb example of a highly collectable 1980’s 911. Put it away as an investment, or start driving it tomorrow.

We often close auctions early with a phone call. We can also assist with any of your transportation requirements.Any questions contact Jim at 818-648-5223

Here we have another auction where the bidding perplexes me. This is very much a driver-quality example and the asking price is at the top end of the market so it’s entirely possible that bidders are seeing the BIN price and moving on. But air-cooled 911s with high asking prices are nothing new and plenty of other auctions have garnered significant bids regardless of said price. This auction? Currently sitting at $15,100. That’s the sort of price a M491-equipped Carrera Coupe would sell for if it had significant issues. This one does not appear to have those sorts of issues and as such would be a steal. Obviously, the seller isn’t going to part with it for this price, but clearly something is holding this auction back.

-Rob

7 Comments

  1. KevinR
    KevinR June 11, 2015

    Nugget brown is a love it or hate it color; that’s probably not helping. (For the record, I like it.) Just a quick review of the pictures show carpet stains, rock chips, damaged trim, etc… With a BIN price of $75K, I assume most people think the reserve is close to that and they’re just not interested.

  2. Bimmerfan
    Bimmerfan June 11, 2015

    How times change – recall test driving similar one of these in the late nineties with same options and year in a dark blue finish. 75k miles with $25k ask.

  3. m491
    m491 June 12, 2015

    I’m rooting for the seller as my handle shows I have a similar coupe (1984). There have been a few of these hitting the market lately. My theory is that folks who bought these in the $20-25K range are now cashing in on their new found equity. It’s different driving a $25k cars and ringing it out than a $75k car. You become more concerned about doing damage. That might be why more of these are hitting the market. Once that phase is done you won’t see many at today’s prices.

    These cars are hands down great drivers and shouldn’t be put away as the seller mentions as an investment. These cars have all the looks of the 930’s which are just crazy in price. They have lower build numbers if I’m not mistaken and have all the of fast handling parts of the 930 without the turbo lag. I’d have no issues taking a good M491 cross country if it was properly maintained. This car might be scaring some bidders away with the BIN price and the love/hate color. But the seller might get close to that number if the right buyer comes along looking for one of the few M491.

  4. Carter
    Carter June 12, 2015

    Had a friend in the ’90s who restored a light blue Euro M491. It was stunning. He sold it for somewhere around $20K if memory serves, and I bet is kicking himself now.

  5. Reid
    Reid June 12, 2015

    This car’s come up for auction now several times. I think it’s that fact that has bidding so low this time around- anyone genuinely interested probably bid on it as high as they were willing to go already, and the car didn’t sell.

  6. Ray
    Ray June 13, 2015

    Bidding ended at 34.1 K.
    We’ll probably see it again…

  7. Ray
    Ray June 16, 2015

    Re-listed with a $ 75K BIN price.

Comments are closed.