2004 Porsche 911 40 Jahre

This ‘C16’ Code UK model is number 0428 of 1963 ’40 Jahre’ cars built.

Why 1963?

Because that’s the year the 911 legend began.

The vendor has owned the car since 2011, at which time it had covered some 28,000 miles.

Today, 13 years later, it is showing 94,847 on the odometer.

We have driven the car and can report that it goes about its sporting business with all the Teutonic precision and solidity you could hope for.

It starts on the button, handles like the thoroughbred it is, and presses on with impressive urgency when required to do so.

In short, it feels - and looks - very good, both for its mileage and its age.

The 40 Jahre 911, with its 3.6-litre engine, was not immune from IMS (Intermediate Shaft) issues, but it should be said that the over-the-top hysteria about IMS and RMS bearings was initially whipped-up in the echo chambers of internet forums where people who didn’t know much swapped second-hand stories with people who knew even less.

Yes, there’s a fair chance that you’ll get a minor oil leak from the rear main seal (RMS) but that’s rarely anything to worry about. Intermediate shaft (IMS) failure is far rarer than advertised, as are scored cylinder bores, and if you’re talking about a car with a mileage of 70-90k and upwards, it’s reasonable to assume that the worst of any danger has passed.

In any case, this car had its IMS checked a few years back and no issues were found.

Moving on.

The vendor, who is very fond of this car and tells us that it’s never let him down, has always used it as his daily driver.

He’s only selling now because he’s getting himself a rather more modern 911 GTS as his new daily driver. Which seems fair enough.

The car presents very well from every angle and is reassuringly free of any significant dents or dinks that we can see.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are excellent and the doors close with all the weight and certainty we’ve come to expect of Zuffenhausen’s finest.

The special silver paint has held up well in general, and the finish gleams and pops in the sunshine.

But, as you would expect of a car that’s been used as a daily driver, it’s not concours.

There’s a little nascent bubbling starting to show in the forward bases of both front wheel arches.

We also spotted a line of blistering above the nearside skirt and one or two small blisters on the sunroof.

The bonnet has a few blemishes to the paint here and there, and there are various scratches and stone chips around the nose of the car, on the doors and on the forward-facing aspects of the rear wheel arches.

As ever, the lowest edge of the front valance is scuffed.

The wheels are in decent nick, save for some surface rust on the wheel nuts, and the matching Michelin Pilot Sport tyres look to have a decent amount of life left in them.

The sunroof works and forms a tight seal.

All trim, badging and exterior fixtures and fittings appear to be in fine fettle.

The exceptions are the front headlamp cowlings, which are a little cloudy and yellowed and would no doubt benefit from a professional clean and polish.

The condition inside is really very impressive and reflects the build quality of these prestige cars.

The black leather seats, with their perforated squabs and backrests, are in excellent order both front and back.

They’ve yet to earn more than a few light creases, let alone any ingrained patina.

The carpets and mats are beyond reproach, as are the door cards and the headlining.

There are a few light ripples and creases to the covering on the glove compartment and the adjacent dashboard trim, and we noticed some scuffs and scratches on the glove compartment handle.

The plastic shroud at the base of the handbrake is cracked and split in several places.

In general though, nothing rattles or shakes, and everything feels solid.

The vendor tells us that, as far as he’s aware, all knobs, buttons, switches, dials and toggles do what they’re supposed to do.

The frunk is clean, pristine and contains a space-saver spare.

The undersides seem to be well preserved and everything we can see appears to have plenty of structural integrity.

As ever with a 911, there’s really not much to reward anyone who peers into the engine bay. All the important stuff is hidden from view.

What we can see, however, looks fine, and it’s an impressively clean and tidy place.

The car’s stamped-up service book has a mixture of main dealer and specialist stamps, with most of the routine maintenance and repair work during the vendor’s tenure carried out by Porsche specialists Nine X Motorsport Ltd of Maidenhead.

They replaced the car’s brake lines and fitted a new clutch at 87,685 miles.

The car comes with a full set of keys, books and manuals, and has an MoT certificate (with no advisories) that’s valid until 9.9.25.

This is a strong example of a car that was rare in the UK when new and is now even rarer, with just 81 currently registered for UK road use.

That the vendor has used it as a daily driver for over 13 years should tell you all you need to know about its underlying engineering integrity.

Aside from one or two cosmetic issues, we think this ‘40 Jahre’ 911 is in very decent order and should provide its next owner with many years of pedigree driving pleasure.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £22,000 - £26,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.