1983 Porsche 944 for sale

1983 Porsche 944

2.5L 4 Cylinder
5 Speed Manual Transmission
87k Miles
Pewter Metallic Over Tan Interior

“Fun. Maybe the most important discipline of all.” Porsche 944 period magazine-advertisement headline

The above-cited ad provided a host of detail on the 944 model’s project-development leader, Roland Kussmaul, who also happened to have been project leader for Porsche’s 962 customer race cars, and the company’s SCCA 944 cars. For fun in his spare time, Herr Kussmaul was part of the Stuttgart manufacturer’s Paris/Dakar rally team. In that vein, the ad referenced the 944’s 0-60 time of 8.3 seconds and its transaxle design that made it the best-handling sports car then on the market. It concluded that the best reason to drive one of Kussmaul’s 944s was simply: the fun of it.

Offered here is a 1983 Porsche 944 in Pewter metallic over tan and brown. The car’s odometer shows 87,367 miles, a very low 2,300 miles per-year on average since new. The Porsche’s Carfax history shows a single accident with minor/cosmetic-damage to the right-rear of the car a year ago. As the accompanying photos demonstrate, any such damage has been completely and professionally repaired with no sign of the incident or the repair remaining.

The refreshed Pewter metallic exterior paint retains very good gloss and consistency across the entire body, including the bespoke boxed fenders, “flag-style” side-view mirrors, and pop-up sunroof panel. Some surface cracking of the anti-stone-chip coating is noted rearward of the front wheels. The car’s sheet metal is free of dents or other damage. Black stone-chip coatings remain applied forward of the rear wheels. The Porsche-crest hood emblem, rear-deck black “944” emblem, and lower-rear “Porsche” decal-lettering are all in place. Black treatments surrounding the cabin glass and on the door handles show expected patina from age; there was no chrome on 944 bodies. Cabin glass-including on the expansive rear hatch-is clear and free of damage; lighting lenses (including on the pop-up headlights) are similarly pristine. The rear spoiler is free of damage and fading. ATE® “cookie-cutter” style 15-inch stock wheels feature Porsche-logo center caps and show some patina but no damage. Hankook® Kinergy PT radial tires are mounted. Hood- and hatch-supporting hydraulic struts operate as they should.

The 944’s interior surfaces have been well-maintained. The hard-plastic-covered-dash is free of cracking. Fresh tan upholstery on the 911-style bucket seats is also free of damage and fading. Some looseness is noted on the rear-seat upholstery. Brown door trim is in very good condition with original factory speaker grilles still in place. The raised-hub steering wheel-identical to that used on 911 models-is excellent. Unique to the early 944s, analog instruments feature yellow graphic markings, and are set on a brushed-metal trim piece. The same trim graces the auxiliary gauges on the console. A period-correct Clarion® audio head unit has replaced the factory radio. The console hosts the shifter (with fitted leather boot) for the 5-speed manual transmission, sunroof switches, sliding-door ashtray, and armrest with storage. Overall, dash surfaces display very little patina. Cabin floors (including the cargo area) are covered in brown carpeting (with Porsche-branded matching carpet mats) in very good condition.

Under the hood, the 2.5-liter Porsche inline 4-cylinder (derived from the 928 model’s 8-cylinder V8) commands a clean, well-ordered, and complete engine bay. (Note: The appearance of rust on the cowl area surrounding the embossed VIN is in fact a factory-applied coating which has discolored over time.) No aftermarket modifications are noted. Viewed from below, the chassis is straight and complete with no sign of damage as might be the case from too-aggressive driving styles or extensive track use. All components are properly in place with little sign of rust (944 bodies were galvanized). Lower-body surfaces have been treated with rust-inhibitors so light surface rust is limited to untreated metal. The Borla® exhaust-system components and the lower side of the engine and transmission are visual focal points.

While the more than 145 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this ’83 Porsche 944in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

Many Porsche enthusiasts favor the purity of the driving experience of the early 944 cars. Their near-perfect 50-50 weight distribution makes them balanced and responsive on the road. This second-year, ’83 example will certainly please the classic-Porsche aficionado who will be stewarding it next.