When Porsche introduced the 964 to the world they did something a little peculiar. The first model they released was the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4. To inaugurate a new model itself was a big step given the substantial revisions to what was quickly becoming a performance icon. To do so with the release of a model that previously never existed? That was huge. The Carrera 2 would come a year later, but the release of the Carrera 4 began the march towards what we might call a more “grown-up” Porsche. With power now driving all 4 wheels, in addition to an electronically-raised rear spoiler, the difficulties many drivers may have had mastering the 911’s dynamics now became simplified. A few years later we would also see an all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo and ever since these models have been a constant presence in the 911 line. So here we have an example of the model that started it all: a Guards Red 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe, located in Miami, with 86,000 miles on it.
Month: August 2014
The E23 has always been a design which to me has been quite polarizing. As with the E12 and E24, Paul Bracq was heavily involved in the final design and it shows – in many ways, the E23 looks like a cross between the two that was scaled up 10%. The results of that in my mind weren’t always good. Growing up, my father had both E24s and E28s, clean looking, well proportioned designs, and when I first saw an E23 I remember thinking it looked a bit ungainly. In U.S. specification, the bumpers were too big and the wheels were too small, resulting in a car which appeared heavy, sagging and sad. When he’s really upset, my son manages to invert his lip and stick it out, tears streaming down his cheeks. It’s a look which nearly mimics the U.S. spec front end of the E23 I now recognize. However, in European trim the E23 made more sense – it looked lighter, smaller and better proportioned. While not as stately as the W116, it certainly looked a fair bit sportier outside and more modern. Couple those European-market looks with some great period BBS RS wheels and the look is just about perfect; throw in the turbocharged M106 motor and you’ve peeked much interest. Of course, unfortunately the M106 was only pared with an automatic transmission – but then, what would happen if you swapped that for a 5-speed?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1984 BMW 745i on eBay
3 CommentsI find options on cars very interesting, especially when they’re options that aren’t often selected. Every once and a while, I’ll sit down and build a car on Audi, BMW or Volkswagen’s configuration tool, all the while trying to figure out what will be the options that 20 years from now someone will pine after, or just even smile to see. Today’s S4 is a great example of just that; indeed, if you look at the window sticker, you’ll note that only two options were selected. One was the 10 Compact Disc trunk mounted changer; it was an option my 1993 V8 quattro had and in retrospect I can’t believe they got away with charging $800 for it – I’m reminded of the scene from The Wedding Singer. But that’s not the option I’m really interested in; no, what I find unique about this car is that it was specified to the no charge 15×7.5 Speedline-made option wheels with all-season tires. For a time, Audi even touted that its 15″ option wheels offered better ride quality than the competition’s huge 16″ rolling gear. It was a rarely selected option, and it’s even more rare to find the car still rolling on those wheels 21 years later:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Audi S4 on eBay
1 CommentThe Audi S8 is a very special car; a combination of sport and luxury that some of its rivals have managed to exceed in performance, but not necessarily execution. Certainly, newer BMW, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz super-luxury sedans are much faster. Even Audi’s own new S8 and S6 are significantly quicker than the D2, with the best part of twice the power the 4.2 40 valve V8 originally offered. But the package of the S8 is what is so compelling. It’s a great looking car, with hardly an angle where it looks out of proportion. The presence it exudes is massive; it’s no Rolls Royce, but it’s a far cry from any Lexus. By 2003, the last year of the D2 S8 for the United States, there were only a few options on the S8; generally, you just had to choose what shade you’d want. And for the U.S. market, it’s hard for me to feel there is any better color combination for the S8 than the understated Avus Silver Pearl Effect with the not understated at all Oxblood interior. When you see one it what is effectively new condition, it’s amazingly stunning:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 Audi S8 on eBay
4 CommentsGoing by its internal moniker the T5, the Porsche 356B represented one of the company’s first significant exterior redesigns. The most notable change can be seen in the raised and more pronounced front and rear bumpers, along with higher headlights. These changes had the effect of making the car look a little less like a bubble and we also begin to see a car that more closely resembles the 911 that would succeed it and go on to solidify the Porsche name. While there would be additional design and mechanical changes made to the 356 during its life, the car fundamentally retained the shape and appearance inaugurated with the B. The example we have featured here, coming from near the beginning of the model’s run, is a very striking Fjord Green 1960 Porsche 356 B 1600 Super Coupe with Tan interior and a fairly recent restoration.