This post was one of the first I wrote for this blog, and definitely the first on a Porsche. Substantially revised and updated, it’s now also almost 80% lengthier.
“Keeping Up with a Porsche 944 Has Just Gone from Difficult to Impossible”
Porsche released its Turbo version of the 944 for the 1986 model year, marking yet another step in the evolution from the original 95 bhp (!) 924 “nearly a Volkswagen” design, which dated from 1976.
The 944 Turbo featured a turbocharged and intercooled version of the standard 944’s 2.5 liter/151 ci inlin-four that produced 217 bhp. New forged pistons were included, along with a strengthened gearbox and standard external oil coolers for both the engine and transmission.
Despite some major turbo lag, performance was quite good for the mid-1980s: Car and Driver managed to get a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 157 mph, though they noted that the base price of almost $30,000 might freeze out some previous 944 customers.
Looks weren’t sharply different from the “civilian” 944, which stayed in production. The nose was somewhat simplified with an integrated front bumper, and the rear had a fairing fitted to clean up the appearance of some underside components. Wheels resembling those on the “big brother” 928 were fitted. The result looked quite good in commercials.
Standard exterior and mechanical equipment on the 944 Turbo included fog lights, all around tinted glass, front and rear stabilizer bars, and power steering. Tires were 205/55VR-16 in the front and 225/50VR-16 for the rear, both mounted to 16-inch pressure cast wheels (both tire sizes are still readily available). Inside, a leatherette interior with cloth inlays, a driver seat with electric height adjustment, a 4-spoke leather-covered steering wheel, automatic full climate control, and power windows were included.
Options & Production Numbers
Options included a limited slip differential ($625), 16-inch forged alloy wheels ($516), a central locking system ($263), and a Blaupunkt Monterey digital cassette radio ($657).
The 944 Turbo sold well in 1986—Porsche sold 7,513 in the United States. 1986 would turn out to be the best year for the 944 Turbo—by 1991 the 968 would take over.
The View From 2025
There is excellent club support for the 944 Turbo, as there is for all Porsches. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1986 944 Turbo in #1/Concours condition is $70,000, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $22,000. I’m seeing 944s at judged car shows, and they maintain a reasonable presence in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer.
Make mine Guards Red, please.
Other eighties Porsches I have written about include the 1980 911 SC coupe, the 1980 924 hatchback coupe, the 1982 924 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1982 928 hatchback coupe, the 1985 911 Carrera Cabriolet, the 1986 911 Turbo coupe, the 1987 911 3.2 Carrera coupe, and the 1988 944 hatchback coupe.
Last updated August 2025.
Eighties Cars 