Vehicle Description
The 944 was introduced by Porsche in 1982 and represented the
company's continued foray into the front-engined, rear-wheel-drive
sports car market. Featuring the 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder
with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel-injection and a five-speed manual
transaxle, the 944 was capable of producing 147 bhp and a top speed
of 130 mph. Car & Driver declared the 944 the "best handling
imported car in the world" at its debut and subsequently the most
successful Porsche model, with continued production into 1991.
This pristine Porsche 944 was ordered by JoAnn Stark of Illinois as
a gift to herself, upon attaining her dream job as a teacher in the
English Department at Northwestern University. She purchased the
car through a dealer in Elk Grove Village in February 1984 and
lovingly maintained it for 34 years, until transferring stewardship
in 2018. Ms. Stark drove the car sparingly, having recorded just
10,262 miles by 1999, when she moved to Seattle with her husband.
The beloved 944 remained garaged except for short fair-weather
excursions, after which fluids were renewed and systems checked.
When the Starks were no longer able to administer the necessary
service checks themselves, they employed a technician to maintain
the car's cosmetic and mechanical regimen, ensuring its exceptional
originality and longevity.
Still wearing its original Guards Red livery, this 944 is
extraordinary in every aspect. It was ordered from the factory with
door protection moldings and 15-in. ATS forged alloy
'cookie-cutter' wheels in red with Porsche logo center caps and
wrapped with Pirelli P6 radial tires. The factory installed a
limited-slip differential, sports shocks, and stabilizer to ensure
superior handling. The cabin features a pop-up sunroof with black
leather interior exhibiting the minimal wear of a vehicle with only
11,457 original miles, as attested by a notarized affidavit by the
first owner. The original three-spoke Sport steering wheel and
Blaupunkt Tuscon AM/FM/Cassette music system are in excellent
condition. Accompanied by the original tools, keys, and manuals as
well as the 1984 sales order, this 944 comes with a clean CARFAX
report.
Rare in its originality, unique for its authenticity, and
exceptional for its condition, this 944 is a time capsule, ready
for its next well-balanced exploits in the hands of another Porsche
devotee.
