Porsche 944 Coupé

Offered here is a 1983 Porsche 944 in Guards Red over black. From the car’s body sticker, the factory-installed option list decodes as follows:

LM3A – Color code for Guards Red exterior paint
158 – Blaupunkt® Reno radio
423 – Box for cassettes and coins
431 – 4-spoke leather steering wheel
567 – Tinted windshield, upper portion darker
946 – Front seat covers leather

This 944’s odometer shows 49,257 miles, a very low 1,300 miles per-year on average since new.

The Guards Red single-stage (no clearcoat to deteriorate) exterior paint retains very good gloss and consistency across the entire body, including the bespoke boxed fenders, “flag-style” side-view mirrors, and sunroof panel, with some evidence of light patina from age above the right-front wheel. Porsche has long been known for very high-quality paint-application, especially so in the era when this car was new, and paint was sprayed on by hand. Properly maintained, there is no limit to how long Porsche paint can look virtually brand-new as this 944 demonstrates. Its sheet metal is largely free of damage, with chips evident above the right-front wheel. Factory-applied, anti-stone-chip coatings remain applied forward of the rear wheels. The Porsche-crest hood emblem, rear-deck black “944” emblem, and lower-rear “Porsche” lettering are all in place. A fitted, Porsche-branded “bra” (a reliable sign of fastidious-owner care) protects the front of the car, including the pop-up headlight panels. Black treatments surrounding the cabin glass and on the door handles is in excellent condition; there was no chrome on 944 bodies. Cabin glass—including on the expansive rear hatch—is clear and free of damage; lighting lenses are similarly pristine. The rear spoiler is free of damage and fading. ATE® “cookie-cutter” style stock wheels with black centers, bright trim, and Porsche-logo center caps are in good condition with some evidence of road rash. Aurora 847® 215/60-R15 radial tires are mounted. Hood- and hatch-supporting hydraulic struts operate as they should.

The condition of the interior surfaces is exceptional. The dash is free of the cracks that often plagued these cars. Black leather upholstery on the 911-style bucket seats is creased as expected from age, but free of damage and fading. Door trim appears as-new with original factory speaker grilles still in place. The factory-optioned steering wheel—identical to that used on 911 models—is excellent. Unique to the early 944s, 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 Kenwood® 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 ash tray, and armrest with storage. Cabin floors (including the cargo area) are covered in black carpeting 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, detailed, well-ordered, and complete engine bay. 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).

While the more than 160 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this 944’s in 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. And it’s fair to say, Guards Red/black cars—the most popular exterior colors—hold a special appeal. This example will certainly please the classic-Porsche aficionado who will be cherishing it next.

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1983 Porsche 944 on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it’s possible that you’ve only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 160 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, and a link to the Porsche’s accident-and-damage-free, low-mileage Carfax history report, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)