1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet M491 3.4L
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1988
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 911 Cabriolet
- VIN: WP0EB0914JS170198
- Mileage: 9,100mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Dark Blue
- Seller: targahawk
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Location: Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0023353
Said to be one of just 108 produced for the 1988 model year, this 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet was originally ordered with the rare M491 Turbo Look package, which equips the wide bodywork, brakes, and suspension of the 930 Turbo model. Finished in Dark Blue over a Champagne/Blue leather interior, it was factory optioned with power-operated seats with deviated blue piping, a shorter gear shift lever, and a desirable G50 5-speed manual gearbox. It was said to have been first registered in Florida before being relocated to Iowa in 2021, where it was acquired by the current owner. The original engine has been upgraded to a 3.4-liter displacement with a big bore kit, along with 100mm Mahle forged pistons, stainless steel valves, Carillo connecting rods, 906 camshafts, ported and polished heads, ARP hardware, a performance distributor, high-flow air filter, SSI heat exchangers, and a Borla exhaust system. Previously listed on PCARMARKET, this 1988 Porsche Carrera M491 Cabriolet is being offered for auction by its seller out of Florida.
This Cabriolet is finished in the rarely seen nonmetallic color of Dark Blue (K5) with a black convertible soft top. The M491 package, originally selected at a cost of $14k, equips the wide fenders, bumpers, and wheels of the Turbo model, as well as a front air dam and tea tray rear spoiler. The CARFAX report shows an incident occurred in 1989 that resulted in damage to the passenger side, believed to be limited to the passenger side door that has been professionally refinished. The seller notes some wear due to age throughout the exterior, detailed images are provided in the gallery along with the full CARFAX report. This Carrera rides on Turbo-spec 16” staggered-width Fuchs wheels mounted with Toyo Proxes tires.
The cabin is trimmed in Champagne and Blue special leather upholstery including power-operated seats with blue contrasting piping. Selected factory options include a shorter gear shift and cruise control. A color-matched Dark Blue roll bar has been fitted along with a 930 SE steering wheel, and a Kenwood aftermarket stereo. The seller reports that a new convertible top and rear window were installed under previous ownership as well as a drilled aluminum gas pedal, a polished Sparco shift knob, and an integrated K40 radar detector. The odometer reads around 9,100 miles, though the seller estimates the true mileage to be closer to 110k.
The flat-six engine was rebuilt under prior ownership and upgraded to a 3.4-liter displacement with a big bore kit along with 100mm Mahle forged pistons, stainless steel valves, Carillo connecting rods, 906 camshafts, ported and polished heads, ARP bolts and studs, performance distributor, a high-flow air filter, SSI heat exchangers, and a Borla stainless steel exhaust, estimated to now produce around 270 HP. The rear wheels are driven by way of a 5-speed G50 manual transmission. The M491 package also adds the upgraded brakes and suspension of the 930 Turbo, as well as larger front and rear anti-roll bars.
This sale will include a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, owner’s manuals, and a copy of the window sticker.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $67,000
- Auction End: Oct 13, 2022 07:30:14PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 23
Comments (57)
Sold for $67,000
Bid in the amount of $67,000
This is a project car for me -- will be swapping out the engine and the interior
Bid in the amount of $64,750
Bid in the amount of $64,500
Bid in the amount of $64,250
Bid in the amount of $64,000
Bid in the amount of $63,500
Bid in the amount of $63,000
Good luck!
Bid in the amount of $61,500
Bid in the amount of $60,500
Bid in the amount of $60,250
Bid in the amount of $59,911
Bid in the amount of $55,555
Bid in the amount of $55,000
Bid in the amount of $53,911
@590HP Just a reflection of our studio lighting setup, nothing wrong with the hood!
@targahawk Can you describe/explain what's going on where the hood meets the front bumper in pic 32?
Thanks
Bid in the amount of $50,750
A new video has been added to the listing page.
@590HP just sent the video to them, should be up any minute!
Bid in the amount of $50,500
@targahaw I would love to see a VIDEO of the top going up and down
@AHudson777 The damage occurred in 1989, when the car was just a year old. That damage was repaired, but it doesn't seem as if it has been painted since then.
As for the seats, we brought in a leather repair specialist in our area to fix the gash and clean up some of the dirt/stainings on the rear seats as well. We did not re-dye both seats, more of spot repairs if you will.
As far as ownership goes, from what I gather the gentleman who owned it originally in Florida also had a residence in Wisconsin and moved the car there periodically. The car stayed in Florida and moved to Iowa after the last sale on here. The username you mentioned is another party.
Sorry to be late to the party with these questions, but have been out til last night and saw this. Simply trying to get an idea of the history:
In looking at the last auction, it appears it was sold to Avant911 just 1 year ago. Is that also you? Or was it sold twice in the last year?
The previous entry says the car was repainted. Can you tell if this was as old as the damaged door repaint or more recently than that?
To your knowledge, have the seats both been redyed, or just the torn part in the seatbacks as shown in the previous auction?
Lastly, the prior listing says it was a Miami car, then Wisconsin, though the seller location was Miami. Your says it went to Iowa, but also shows a Miami seller location. Has the car remained in Miami in your ownership and/or remains there?
Thanks for you help. Owned an M491 for many years and sold about 3 years ago, miss that car every so often and this caught my eye.
@targahawk Thank you very much!
Please let me know what questions I can help with before the end of the auction! Thank you for all of your bids and interest thus far!
@Skidog214 Understandable! The roll cage was simply bolted in and was easy to uninstall by removing the bolts and lifting it out. It does not hurt the car any!
Bid in the amount of $50,250
Bid in the amount of $50,000
Bid in the amount of $42,250
Bid in the amount of $42,000
I am curious about the roll bar that was formerly in the car. What is the impact, if any, on the original structural integrity of the frame? I do not mean to impugn the integrity of the car in any way. It is beautiful, a G50, and a wide body. Very desirabe. I am just not familiar enough with the installation and removal of a roll bar to know what the impact, if any, will be. Thank you.
@Fjamoroso Thank you for the insight into smog testing. I do not believe this car has been chipped or tuned in any way, rather just upgrades to the engine.
@lenoah So, couple things:
Contrary to the auction description, this car is not equipped with SSI heat exchangers, but rather the stock 3.2 hear exchangers.
It is, however, equipped with a cat bypass pipe. Which, while great for power / sound, is not emissions compliant in California.
At the very least, this vehicle will fail the visual inspection portion of the California emissions test due to A) cat bypass pipe and B) aftermarket cone air filter. In all likelihood, it would also fail the dyno / sniffer portion of the test. Properly tuned stock 3.2s run reasonably clean, but tend to just miss the CA emissions sniffer test hurdle without a functional catalytic converter.
To prepare this vehicle to pass CA emissions, at a minimum, it would need a stock air box (which are still available new, replete with air filter element, and at a surpringly good price, for a Porsche part) and a CARB compliant catalytic converter.
I would also like to know which ECU tune / chip it is running.
At 3.5 liters, there's likely a fair amount of power to be unlocked via larger diameter, equal length exhaust headers (not CA emissions compliant) and either an off the shelf chip / tune or, preferably a custom chip / tune done on the dyno (www.instagram.com/p/CAc9qxyFNC0/?igshid=MjU0Y2ZlMmY=).
I added three photos to the gallery showing the fixes we had done to the leather on the drivers seat. The gash was repaired that you can see in earlier photos on the back of the drivers seat!
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@targahawk I found it hard to read the handwriting --w hat was the total amount spent on the engine upgrades (parts & labor)
@590HP Unfortunately I do not have photos of the engine work being done or the components, only what the service invoices tell me.
@lenoah I am not sure because I do not live in a state that requires smog testing, so I am not familiar with the guidelines. I assume because it has an aftermarket exhaust, it may not pass. Someone more familiar with California smog standards may be able to assess it better than me though!
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Should it be assumed that this beauty will not pass California smog?
I would love to see photos of the work on the engine upgrade (3.4-liters, big bore kit, forged pistons, stainless steel valves, connecting rods, camshafts, polished heads etc.)
What was the total cost of the mods? (Tough to tell from handwritten invoices what was maintenance and what were mods)
Underside photos are being uploaded now. As well as a cold start video! Look out for those on the gallery soon.
Can we see some photos of the underside of the chassis, suspension, brakes.
Thanks
@Mountaineer84 our technician gave the car a full inspection, and service. The car idols right, and runs great. No smoke besides the normal burn off on a cold start after it’s been sitting for a day or two. To my knowledge, this is not an issue the car currently has. Hope that helps!
Was the rough idling issue identified by Stokes Automotive resolved? I don't see the resolution noted. Thanks
Bid in the amount of $41,250
Bid in the amount of $40,911
@82turboruf there is a copy of the COA in the photo gallery!
Beauty.
First off, every M491 auction should include this info...
https://www.turbo-look.com/facts/911-carrera-3-2/
The generally accepted production figures there show 171 M491 cabrios imported to North America for the 1988 model year.
100mm pistons and cylinders, with a stock 3.2 crank will net a 3.5 liter displacement. SSI exhaust headers are nice, but suboptimal for 3.2 liters and up. As a result, there's more power to be had with a different exhaust configuration here.
GLWA!
Do you have a COA? Beautiful car..
Beautiful car. Love the contrast between the interior / exterior. GLWA!
These M491s are air cooled GTSs IMHO ... https://www.gtsence.com/air-cooled-911-gts/
Still looking for a G50, M491 Targa to add to my garage... :-)
@Carguy4fun We believe the miles on the rebuilt engine to be what is currently reading on the odometer.
What would you say the actual mileage is on the rebuilt engine
Bid in the amount of $911