1990 Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 2

The 964 may not be the last air-cooled 911, but it’s the last one that still looks like a classic 911, so in many ways it represents the end of an era. This is the 3.6-litre final development of the original 911’s air-cooled flat six – and absolute classic powerplant if ever there was one.

This car has a high mileage but the engine was completely stripped and thoroughly rebuilt, and it’s done very few miles since that time, so rest assured this 911 is ready to howl with the best of them.

In fact it’s because he does so few miles in it that the current owner is reluctantly selling the car, finally admitting to himself that it needs to go to someone who will get more use out of it.

This is a very original car and it’s in superb condition, while not having been restored, merely very well looked after. The grey metallic paint work is in great shape and the panel gaps are all as Porsche intended.

The original Porsche alloy wheels are also superb, and the overall appearance is lovely, with no faults that are worth mentioning, save for a couple of very minor issues. Firstly, the lower air intake in the front wrap-around bumper is very slightly misshapen.

There’s a small mark on driver’s door shut, possibly where door has been rubbing on it, and the sunroof seal is popping out of place slightly. And that’s it.

The car has a deployable spoiler, so you can pretend to be Lewis Hamilton activating your DRS system and overtaking that irritating Max Verstappen.

Again, originality, with the possible exception of the stereo, is the key feature in here. And it’s all survived the miles very well. The driver’s seat show signs of the car’s miles and years, but isn’t split and would probably respond well to a deep clean and some recolouring cream.

The same is true of the handbrake leather, whereas the Front luggage compartment is immaculate and looks like it’s barely been used at all. The owner reports that everything works just as it should, with the exception of the climate control which has stopped functioning.

It’s still very much classic 911 in here – simple and high quality, with none of the bling that later cars have. Even the pedals are floor hinged, just like the first models.

We’d clean the leather and maybe recolour and feed the leather seats. NAd then just drive it.

Underneath the engine lid there’s surface corrosion on the cooling fan and its surround, which would probably clean off quite easily and points towards the car’s lack of use more than anything else. The sound insulation towards back of engine bay starting to fall away. Other than that, there’s nothing to report.

Underneath the car everything looks solid, although we did notice a steel bracket that has lost its paint and could do with some protection, as corrosion is starting to form on its surface.

The car comes with a stack of old service records, invoices for parts and services through the years, plus old tax discs and MoTs.

The current owner says:

‘I’ve always loved the 911 and particularly the 964, as to me it is the last proper looking air cooled 911 – particularly the Carrera 2 Coupé.

I looked and tried several 964s until I had the opportunity to get this one.

‘The mileage showed that it was well used, and after a close inspection by a Porsche garage specialist, I decided to buy it in the knowledge that it would require a full engine rebuild. This having been completed with no stone unturned, I now had a car fit for thousands of care free miles.

‘I also liked the fact that everything was original (probably not the radio) even things like the tape cassette holder!

‘She has been garaged with a cover on when not in use and never intentionally driven in the rain. In the nearly 10 years I have owned her I have done very little mileage but still had her serviced and MoT’d annually.

(That is apart from last year, owing to covid.) She now has had a recent MoT, service and inspection.

‘Everything works as it should. All the dials and gauges read correctly. The only item not to work is the climate control, which is notorious for misbehaving on these cars. Up until recently it worked after a fashion, but now seems to have given up completely. I have never bothered to have it repaired or replaced as I never really used it, and I now don't get any annoying hot air being directed into the cab.

‘So I am now selling my dream car after nearly 10 years. I absolutely loved driving her, but I was too precious and never used her enough. My wife has hardly driven it and finds it a little daunting, and now in my later years I find even getting in and out a bit of an effort.

‘So I fulfilled my dream, and now feel it’s time to move on.’

It brings great peace of mind to buy a car with what amounts to have a freshly rebuilt engine. A 911 air-cooled rebuild doesn’t come cheap and the opportunity to buy the last traditionally styled, air-cooled 911, knowing that you can drive it as Porsche intended without fear of problems, is a big plus point as far as we’re concerned.

On top of that, this is a car you can use, without fear of pushing the mileage past a figure that might affect its value. We foresee the car selling between £35,000 and £55,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.