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Tag: 1988

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Motorsport Mondays Triple Take: Three 44 Turbos

Long before the E36 even debuted, the Porsche 944 was deeply entrenched in the track scene. From weekend warrior autocrosses to full out Le Mans endurance racing, the 944 touched all aspects of motorsports, and in many cases won. While the roots were in a economy sports car, the 944 Turbo took well to supercar slaying – massive flares hiding brakes borrowed from its brethren and boosted performance from the all-Porsche turbocharged 2.5 inline-4. With near perfect weight distribution, these Turbos were relatively easy to drive and accepted high levels of modifications well. Into the 1990s, the continued to be favorites at track events – and today, even nearly 30 years later, they’re still potent packages capable of winning club races. Today I have three different takes on the 944 Turbo; modified but still streetable track event car, stripped and turned up club racer, and a collectable bit of Porsche racing history with a Turbo Cup car in original configuration. Which is your flavor?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo on eBay

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1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa

We see a pattern like this from time to time: the market for a particular car heats us and then every owner (or so it seems) of a well-maintained example throws their car up for auction to capitalize on said market. The basic idea makes a lot of sense, especially for someone who may have been holding onto a car for a decent chunk of time. With the 911 we’ve seen this happen a few times with particular rare variants, but right now it appears that any low-mileage 3.2 Carrera is the hot car to have. We featured a low-mileage 1987 Carrera Coupe a few days back that sold almost instantly and here we have another low-mileage Carrera, though rather than a Coupe this one is a Targa. Here is a Guards Red 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa, located in Alabama, with a light gray (perhaps Linen?) interior and a mere 34,400 miles on the clock.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa on eBay

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1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

As I made my way home yesterday evening I couldn’t help but notice the number of drivers basking in the waning sunlight, taking advantage of an open air cockpit. We are smack in the heart of convertible season so why not enjoy some top-door motoring in classic style! This 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, located in New York, would be an excellent car to have out on any evening fully appreciating the sound of the 3.2 liter air-cooled flat-six engine behind your ears.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet on eBay

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Motorsport Mondays: 1988 BMW M3 DTM Tribute

I know this probably comes as a surprise, but in general I try to stay away from posting E30s. There are several reasons for this; first, it seems like we have an E30 posted on this site nearly every day. In part that makes sense as it’s one of the best small sports sedans ever produced and there are many different versions, but we like variety here at GCFSB and I like to find the lesser appreciated examples of German motoring. Then there’s the second reason I stay away – the market on these cars is just nuts, especially when you’re talking about the M3. You could list all of the merits of the E30 M3, and there are many to choose from, but at least in my mind the bubble that these cars are experiencing just isn’t justified. Sure, they’re solidly worth $30,000 to maybe $40,000 for the best, show ready examples in my mind – but at double that amount, I find it hard to explain. After all, you can get so many equally (if not more) rare, equally (if not better) performing, and equally attractive cars both from within BMW and from other manufacturers too for less money. When cars like this go through bubbles, to me they just become unappealing. I remember going to the track when these cars were throw-aways; it’s not that I wished I had bought one when they were more affordable, it’s more that I wish the folks with money hadn’t soured the experience for me. Such is the market today that even non-original, less than pristine examples are commanding a serious premium over other desirable cars. The perfect illustration of this is today’s DTM-liveried 1988 M3:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW M3 DTM Tribute on eBay

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1988 BMW M5 with S54 Swap

Not many people would dare to accuse the E28 M5 of having faults, but I will. First, the engine was turned down for the U.S. market. That’s a reality of the 1970s and 1980s, I know, but it’s still a gripe. Second, it only came in black to U.S. shores. And that too is a shame, because the E24 M6 really shows what a little color does to those classic lines. Third, on top of the black-only stance, it had bumpers that easily double as benches – for Americans, even. Fourth, though wide 16″ wheels were pretty advanced for the day, the reality is that there are increasingly limited good options for filling out those rims. Fifth has to be the interior. My dad has an 88 M5, and it’s a very nice car – but the seats are well worn and look nearly double the mileage they actually are. It’s often the case when I look at an E28 M5 that the seats either look completely redone or wrecked. Sixth has to do with the engine again – because the reality is that 25 plus years on, keeping the S38s running in top condition can be an expensive proposition. Okay, so maybe I’m overstating my gripes a bit, but it just goes to show that there’s at least room for improvement with the U.S. spec M5. How do you fix my list of gripes? Well, buying this car would be a pretty good start:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW M5 on eBay

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