1986 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa Marble Grey Original Paint 27k Miles Cold A/C $30k+ of Services

I’ve preached for years about early Carreras being my personal favorites of the “Impact Bumper” era cars. Although the later G50 transmissions are stronger, the last years of the 915 gearboxes are the best of a 15-year run and were much lighter. As a result, these cars feel quicker and much more responsive than the heavier G50 cars. The gearboxes are very strong and durable if you shift them properly. They force you to learn how to correctly drive an air-cooled 911. I love this generation of 911s so much that I have one of my own.

This Carrera was special ordered on September 25^th, 1985 through Beverly Hills Porsche + Audi.  It was built on October 22nd, 1985, and sold new on November 7th, 1985 via Porsche’s Tourist Delivery program.

California Emissions

Monterey Digital Radio

Shortened Shift Lever Travel

16” Forged Alloy Wheels (Fuchs)

Cruise Control

Front and Rear Spoilers

6-Way Power Driver Seat / Full Manual Passenger Seat

Sport Shock Absorbers

Alarm System

Tourist Delivery Preparation

The MSRP was $36,335.31.  This is equivalent to $106,474 in today’s money.

The first owner was Jim Keller of Hermosa Beach, California. Jim is a retired Chief Pilot for American Airlines.  In the 1980s, he was friends with Porsche race driver Scooter Patrick who encouraged him to order this special color, as well as the options. He also suggested he take delivery at Porsche via their Tourist Delivery program. Keller picked up his 911 new at the factory on November 7th, 1985.  He drove the car around Germany/Europe for 10 days before dropping the car back off at Porsche in Stuttgart on November 19th, 1985. It was then shipped to San Francisco and eventually delivered to Southern California.

Keller kept this 911 for 19 years/16,000 miles.  During his ownership, he serviced the car regularly with Ken at Auto Werkstatt in Manhattan Beach, California.  He eventually sold it to Ken who had it for about 8 months before he sold it in October of 2005 to an owner from Greensboro, North Carolina. This owner kept this 911 for the next 18 years and added another 10,000 miles. Handwritten notes of services done during his care include the following:

Handwritten notes of services done during his care include the following:

• Routine services
  • Oil services
    • Brake flushes
    • Valve adjustments, spark plugs, tune-ups
    • Transmission fluid flush
• Shifter bushings
• Fuel pump
• DME relay
• Drive & A/C belts
• Fuel filters
• Rebuilt alternator
• Battery
• Rear brakes

This owner sold it to Ryan Friedman Motor Cars on January 30th, 2023 with 25,304 miles. In preparation for sale, Friedman did the following services on May 8th, 2023 at 25,700 miles:

• Oil service
• Brake fluid flush
• Fuel filter
• Washer fluid
• Air filter
• Replace lower side chain feed oil line
• Adjust belts

The current owners are an Orange County couple who purchased this 911 from Friedman on May 17th, 2023 with 25,720 miles. They are Porsche enthusiasts with several older Porsches in their collection. They purchased this Targa primarily for the wife, as she had nostalgic memories for an ‘80s Porsche. However, she finds herself not using it nearly enough and spending more time in their 356. They added 1,200 miles during their 18 months of ownership. They serviced this 911 at Scott’s Independent of Anaheim, California, which is one of the top air-cooled specialists in the area. Over the past year, they invested over $30k into services to further improve this survivor Carrera, which included the following:

• Sorting and going through the car to fix any/all needs (8/23 @ 25,758 miles)
• Replace door strikers
• All new Targa rubber seals and windshield seals
• Replace bumper moldings
• Door seals
• Rear bumper strip
• Replace Targa emblem
• Drive and A/C belts
• Oil service using Swepco 20w/50
• Spark plugs
• Valve adjustment
• Lower and upper valve cover gaskets
• Inner and outer wheel bearings
• Rebuild all brake calipers
• New brake rotors, pads, and sensors
• Brake fluid flush
• Muffler straps and gaskets
• Remove and disassemble whale tail to refinish metal/grill
• Remove targa bar and ceramic coat
• Restore targa top mechanism and refinish metal structure
• Charge/service A/C system
• Lubricate front suspension
• Minor paintless dent repair throughout body
• Minor touch-up paint for nicks and small chips
• Rebuild Motronic ECU brain
• Install Porsche Classic Bluetooth radio
• Undercarriage w/ wheel wells steam cleaning, paint correction, ceramic coating (8/23)
• Replace oil return tubes (1/24 @ 26,529 miles)
• New Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 NO-for Porsche tires (2024)

The exterior is in superbly preserved original condition with minimal signs of use or age. The paint appears to be original, as verified by a paint meter and several experts. The Marble Grey is a unique color that was only available for a couple of years and rarely ordered. It’s like the precursor for Porsche’s late model color called Chalk, but a bit lighter. Almost the shade of sidewalk cement. There are hardly any chips, scratches, or other flaws. Scott’s Independent did a great job of preserving and enhancing the originality. The Targa bar is in great shape and wearing its original satin finish. It’s been carefully ceramic coated to further protect it. The body gaps are spot on and the Targa top fits nicely. The top is wearing its original fabric, but the metal structure has been refurbished, as well as all-new rubber moldings and seals. All the exterior lights/lenses are original in good shape, and working properly. The glass is also all original, including the windshield, and wears the proper factory stampings. There are no significant scratches or chips. 

The factory 7×16 and 8×16 Fuchs wheels are desirable. They were added possibly when delivered new in the U.S. The lips have been polished and the satin black centers are showing a bit of age, but there are no significant curb rashes or other blemishes. They are wrapped in new full-tread Michelin tires that were installed less than 8 months/500 miles ago. The brakes were completely rebuilt less than 1,500 miles ago and appear to be in near-new condition. The underside is equally as nice and indicative of a low-mile survivor. It is very clean with remnants of the factory Cosmoline. There are no signs of prior damage or repairs. The engine is also dry with no significant oil leaks. The engine bay is also tidy and very stock. It’s extremely clean with a fresh engine sound pad. Most of the original stickers are still in place. The trunk is the same with no signs of any prior repairs and the original carpet still looks fresh. The original jack is secured properly with the original rubber strap and the space saver spare looks unused, with all the correct fastening parts in place. The original tool kit and air compressor went missing decades ago, however, Porsche makes replacement kits and original ones are available on the reseller’s market. 

The interior of a vehicle tells the true story of mileage and originality, and this example showcases the care and proper storage this Targa has received over the last 4 decades. The front leather seats show hardly any signs of wear and the leather is still pliable. The rear seats look unused. The Targa headliner is original and slightly loose, but no tears or other major issues. The Targa bar interior light turns on manually. The door panels look fresh with none of the typical warping of the pockets. Updated speakers have been added to the doors and rear parcel shelf in the same factory location. The original carpet looks new with no heavy wear marks or stains. Custom Cocomats have been installed in the front footwells as well as another Cocomat for the back of the rear seats when they are in the down position. The dash looks new with no cracks or warping. All the gauges function properly, including the clock. The A/C system blows cold. The cruise control does not work.  The new Porsche Classic Bluetooth radio works well, but the rear speakers don’t. The power windows and mirrors both work.

This Carrera survivor drives as close to new as most will ever experience. It starts easily on the first try with no hesitation. Once at operating temperature, it pulls evenly throughout the rev range with a decent amount of torque. The handling is precise and the car tracks straight. It easily absorbs uneven road surfaces, while still providing confidence on twisting roads. The brakes have an insane initial bite with no fading or pulling. These might be the best-feeling brakes I’ve experienced on one of these Carreras. The transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears with no grinding. This car has been driven properly for the 915 gearbox to survive. With proper rev-matching, this transmission will last indefinitely. The clutch engages properly with no slipping. And, at freeway speeds with the windows up, the Targa top makes minimal wind noise thanks to its new rubber and proper fit.  The 1986 model year 911s are one of my personal favorites and this example is one of the best I’ve driven.

This 911 is currently California registered through June of 2025 and passed California’s strict smog inspection.

This 911 comes with 2 main keys, 2 wheel lock keys (no locks), 1 alarm key, 2 Targa top keys, original owner’s manual, original stamped maintenance/warranty booklet, Tourist Delivery Program documentation, Porsche build sheet, original key card, original Blaupunkt radio manuals, custom front Cocomats, rear seat shelf Cocomat, custom leather embossed 3-ring binder with recent owner service records, as well as some prior owner records, factory jack with rubber strap, and original space-saver spare.

**Note: VIN and other numbers withheld to protect against fraud.  All numbers including VIN, Engine, and color will be provided to serious buyers.