Guards Red Survivor: 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Convertible – Sold?

May 16, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Deciding to chop the top off of a gorgeous coupe is a decision that should never be taken lightly, but fortunately for Porsche 944 enthusiasts, the resulting creation was almost as pretty as the original. The seller of this 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet provides limited details, but with low miles and seemingly excellent cosmetics, the 944 originally listed in April 2021 on Craigslist in Miami, Florida listed for $21,999 could be worth the airfare if it presents as well in person. Comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has the 944 priced in line with market trends, as an “Excellent” specimen is valued at $22,200 and a “Concours” model pegged at $31,000.

The 944 in coupe form is one of the best drivers you’ll find from the rad era. It has superb balance, and it is legitimately fast in turbocharged guise. It was of little surprise to see models like the 944 S2 coupe find their way into competitive driving events in droves, with track day events littered with amateurs pushing their 944 to its limits. Therefore, it was particularly painful to see Porsche decide to chop off the roof – and eliminate the wonderful structural rigidity – that made the car so special. Still, as everything Porsche does, the company tried valiantly to preserve that which made the 944 such a balanced, purposeful sports car, giving it an entirely reconstructed tub consisting of two OEM floor pans welded together in the interest of stiffening up the chassis. Whether it was worth doing, we’ll never know, but it was still fairly obvious that you weren’t driving a two-door coupe (if the missing top didn’t give that away.)

The MotorWeek YouTube Channel features this Retro Review of a similar spec 1991 Porsche S2

The seller doesn’t provide much information about his car or its history while in his care. The low miles do help, as 52,500 miles showing on the odometer definitely pegs this example as one of the lower mileage cabriolets we’ve seen lately. But even with their lower cost of entry, 944s are still Porsches, and therefore have Porsche part prices and shop labor rates. Understanding what’s been done to preserve this 944 for the long-haul would be useful information, especially for pricey jobs like a clutch replacement. The listing claims the 944 still has working air conditioning, which is sort of ironic considering how many ads we see for fixed roof cars where the HVAC has been dead for years – of course the convertible would have functional A/C! The seller further claims Guards Red and a beige leather interior is the best color combo there is, but I’d love to see one with this paintjob and gray leather inside if it were mine. If you plan to make this low mileage 944 S2 convertible yours, go for it – and then report back here when you get it!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1990 Porsche 944S2 Convertible; 54,500 miles ; guards red with beige leather interior and black convertible top; Best Porsche color combination ; Cold AC; 5 speed manual transmission ; Looks and drives like new.“

Do you have a Porsche 944 story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!