Rare 944 Celebration model on Ebay

[PAUL RUDDY]

Production
- Production: 880-930
- Production date: July 1987 to September 1987.


Notes
- Factory order number: M757
- Produced to celebrate the 100000th Porsche 944 rolling of the Neckarsulm production line.
- Production of black version: 100 to West Germany, 250 to US, 73 to RoW.
- Production of silver version: 100 to West Germany, 250 to US, 157 to RoW.
- 30 cars to UK.
- In US it was launched as the "944 Special Edition" celebrating the 250000th Porsche 911 produced.
- Also called "944 Studio" and "944 (Silver) Anniversary".
- Priced at DM65900.


Features
- Two different paintings were available: Zermatt Silver metallic and Satin Black metallic.
- Integral fog lamps at the front.
- Removable electrically tilting sunroof.
- Side strips between the wheels.
- Rear window wiper.
- Front wheels: 16" 7J telephone dials with 205/55VR16
- Rear wheels: 16" 8J telephone dials with 225/50VR16
- Black leatherette, grey/maroon 'Studio' cloth and silver grey carpeting.
- A plaque in the car.
- Split rear seats backs.
- Automatic heating control.

Here it is, got to say I'm tempted, love the interior

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=111091922217&globalID=EBAY-GB

 

[John Sims]

It does look nice in the pictures and I agree with you in respect of the interior. Unfortunately it's been resprayed (no rear badge or script for a start) so could hide a multitude of sins once the rust starts to re emerge.

 

[GlennS]

I note what appears to be a PCGB emblem on the rear number plate so is this car known to someone?

 

[PAUL RUDDY]

ORIGINAL: John Sims

It does look nice in the pictures and I agree with you in respect of the interior. Unfortunately it's been resprayed (no rear badge or script for a start) so could hide a multitude of sins once the rust starts to re emerge.

I agree John, the pictures do show quite a few areas that require attention but its rarity would make it worthwhile as a project, I think it's one for someone 'hands on' to keep the costs relative.

Cheers, Paul

 

[GlennS]

ORIGINAL: John Sims
Unfortunately it's been resprayed (no rear badge or script for a start) so could hide a multitude of sins once the rust starts to re emerge.

Not only has it been resprayed but it is a BAD respray. Take a zoomed-in look at the detail shot of the Porsche script door handle and marvel at the paint build-up around the handle rubbers. It looks like someone has just masked and then sprayed around the handles.

Admittedly they're only looking for a fiver under 2K for the car so perhaps it would be wise to set our expectations accordingly.

 

[ukmastiff]

Ive personally always thought the studio interior to be an abomination but
these things are of course down to taste. It does look like a rough one too.
Paint done properly on a 944 is big bucks.

Mas

 

[pauljmcnulty]

It's funny, as the celebration model was quite sought-after for a while. I always saw it as a cheap stickered-up version for Porsche to cash in on, as with most "limited editions". A bit like an Escort Eclipse, you'd almost think it was an XR3, not a popular plus with a spoiler on the boot. [8|]

Up until recently, when the fabric looks like it's available again, it was a nightmare. I got calls from people who'd paid over the odds, and then found they had, essentially, a lux with an interior they couldn't refurb. The fabric was completely unavailable according to Southbound, and I was telling people to buy a set of seats, and put their "studio" seats in storage.

The Studio, Celebration, whatever, is a nice car if it's original, and in exceptional condition. It's always going to be slighlty more desirable than an ordinary Lux. The problem is that it's not the "collectors" car in the range, that will always be a turbo cab, turbo S, turbo low-miler, nice S2 cab, good early Lux, and onwards in descending order. I'd price one the same as a standard Lux now, unless it was a low-mileage concourse car.

 

[ukmastiff]

I totally agree paul except could I ad that for me the 2.7 would slot in securely above the 2.5
what do you guys think ?

 

[pauljmcnulty]

ORIGINAL: ukmastiff

I totally agree paul except could I ad that for me the 2.7 would slot in securely above the 2.5
what do you guys think ?

Yep, it would. I'd say the luxes would probably rank: concourse series one, 2.7, limited editions like the Celebration, good late lux, then down to average late or early cars appealing to different buyers. Non-sunroof cars possibly always worth a punt.

The 2.7 is another strange one, as they do seem to command a premium. The difference in performance is irrelevant now as you can only go by condition and recent history, there is the slight extra potential cost in parts, and the real risk of worse corrosion in the later cars. Worth extra if the car's a good one, but then that's 944 Lux buying in a nutshell. []

 

[Veerzigzag]

The 2.7 is another strange one

Not strange, just that little bit better.....
To get back on thread, cars always look better in photos, so given the issues in the pictures of that one (rust visible, badges missing, paint job poor), in the metal it is probably pretty rough. The attitude of the seller is not attractive either, it implies rather low standards of what is "good". "Interior in great condition, just a hole in the driver's seat" - doesn't exactly sound "great" by our standards. I would suggest that a few hundred quid more could get you a very much better car.

 

[Lowtimer]

Like for like condition, the 2.7 should always have a higher breaking value than a 2.5, because of the rarity and utility of the cylinder head for a simple bolt-together 3.0 conversion for a Turbo using off-the-shelf bits.

 

[John Sims]

ORIGINAL: Lowtimer

Like for like condition, the 2.7 should always have a higher breaking value than a 2.5, because of the rarity and utility of the cylinder head for a simple bolt-together 3.0 conversion for a Turbo using off-the-shelf bits.

I agree with you in that respect. Otherwise the 2.7 wasn't a great engine and I would suggest people are better off with a good 2.5.

 

[GlennS]

The thing to bear in mind with "limited edition" cars is that rarity doesn't necessarily mean "more valuable". Value is only higher than the "vanilla" models if buyers consider them more desirable and are specifically looking for them.

I haven't seen anyone in the last several years popping up and asking for a "Celebration" 944... from that I'd judge that there's no particular interest. The car should probably be considered and valued as a normal 944 and I wouldn't put any store in a future boost in prices due to rarity.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Having had a 2.5 and a 2.7, I must disagree, the 2.7 is a lots nicer to drive everyday due to its extra torque.

I'd love a square dash, no PAS with a 2.7.