{"id":12665,"date":"2025-07-31T17:31:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T16:31:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/?p=12665"},"modified":"2025-08-06T11:09:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T10:09:43","slug":"why-the-porsche-944-cabriolet-is-the-ultimate-usable-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/why-the-porsche-944-cabriolet-is-the-ultimate-usable-classic\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Porsche 944 Cabriolet Is the Ultimate Usable Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you think of classic Porsches, the 911 often steals the spotlight. But for Richard Head, an IT manager and lifelong Porsche enthusiast, it was a 1991 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet<\/strong> that captured his heart. Owned for over 26 years, this Cobalt Blue drop-top isn\u2019t just a car \u2013 it\u2019s a member of the family.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

From 911 Dream to 944 Reality<\/h3>\n

Richard\u2019s journey into Porsche ownership didn\u2019t start with the 944. Back in 1999, when he was finally in a position to afford his first sports car, his initial plan was to buy a 911. There was just one problem: at 6ft 6in, he simply didn\u2019t fit comfortably in any of the affordable 911s available at the time.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when he discovered the Porsche 944<\/strong>. Its sleek lines, balanced proportions, and spacious interior instantly won him over. But it was the rare Cabriolet version that sealed the deal: \u201cI always wanted the soft top,\u201d Richard says. \u201cWhen I found the right 944 Cabriolet, it just clicked. I\u2019ve loved it ever since \u2013 and I\u2019ll never sell it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Driving Experience: Old-School Porsche Character<\/h3>\n

One of the things Richard loves most about his 944 is its mechanical simplicity. \u201cNowadays, if you own a car, the first thing you do if anything goes wrong is plug in a computer,\u201d he explains. \u201cWith the 944, you can get under the bonnet, understand what\u2019s going on, and fix things yourself. I enjoy that connection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the hood sits a 3.0-litre, four-cylinder engine producing around 210bhp \u2013 the largest four-cylinder engine Porsche ever made. Despite being over three decades old, the car still offers a rewarding driving experience. Richard recently proved this by taking it on a road trip from the UK to Stuttgart, parking it proudly outside the Porsche Museum.<\/p>\n

\u201cDriving for hours at a time, a few hundred miles a day, and getting out feeling fresh \u2013 it\u2019s just so comfortable,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s a grand tourer that happens to be a classic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A Rare Sight on Today\u2019s Roads<\/h3>\n

Part of the Porsche 944 Cabriolet\u2019s charm lies in its rarity. While the 944 itself is becoming less common, the Cabriolet is even harder to spot. \u201cIt\u2019s become a bit of a unicorn,\u201d Richard explains. \u201cPeople stop me to say, \u2018Wow, I haven\u2019t seen one of those in years!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cobalt Blue paint \u2013 resprayed about a decade ago \u2013 adds to its appeal. \u201cI\u2019m not chasing concours perfection,\u201d he says. \u201cI just want it to look good, turn heads, and make people smile. And it does exactly that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Restoring and Refreshing with Design911<\/h3>\n

Keeping a 30-year-old Porsche in top condition takes dedication \u2013 and the right parts. About ten years ago, Richard decided to invest in a major refresh. \u201cThe car was looking a bit tired,\u201d he recalls. \u201cI had it resprayed, put a new hood on it, and decided to rebuild the brakes and suspension.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when Richard discovered Design911<\/strong> at the NEC Classic Car Show. \u201cI spoke to one of the guys on the stand about what I was planning. He told me to email after the show, and he\u2019d sort me out with a discount \u2013 and he did,\u201d Richard says.<\/p>\n

But what really impressed him was the extra effort: \u201cWhen the parts arrived, they\u2019d included anti-squeal shims for the brakes with a note saying, \u2018We think you\u2019ll need these \u2013 if not, send them back.\u2019 That level of service was above and beyond. From that moment on, I\u2019ve only ever used Design911 for parts.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re restoring your own 944, here are some of the upgrades Richard recommends:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    944 Brake Parts<\/a> \u2013 including discs, pads, and anti-squeal shims.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Suspension Components<\/a> \u2013 for better ride quality and handling.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Soft Top & Interior Parts<\/a> \u2013 to keep the cabin and roof looking fresh.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Originality with a Personal Touch<\/h3>\n

    Despite the restoration work, Richard\u2019s 944 Cabriolet remains true to its roots. \u201cOther than the respray, new hood, and the usual consumables from Design911, it\u2019s pretty original,\u201d he says. \u201cEven the leather interior has held up beautifully.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The only major change? The stereo. \u201cIt originally had a Blaupunkt unit, which failed. I replaced it with a modern head unit, but I\u2019m actually looking for a period-correct Blaupunkt to bring it back to that proper 90s vibe,\u201d Richard adds.<\/p>\n

    And of course, there are the details that make the 944 so iconic: \u201cThose pop-up headlights. Who doesn\u2019t love pop-up headlights?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    A Family Affair<\/h3>\n

    For Richard, the 944 isn\u2019t just about his own enjoyment. Recently, he insured his 21-year-old son to drive the car for the London to Brighton run<\/strong>, sharing the experience of a classic Porsche for the first time.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWatching him drive it \u2013 and seeing him fall in love with it the same way I did \u2013 was special,\u201d Richard says. \u201cThis car isn\u2019t just a piece of metal; it\u2019s part of our family history now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Why the 944 Cabriolet Is One to Watch<\/h3>\n

    The Porsche 944 has long been a hidden gem in the Porsche world, but the Cabriolet is something else entirely. With its low production numbers, balanced handling, and usability, it\u2019s a car that\u2019s becoming more desirable by the year.<\/p>\n

    For anyone thinking about buying one, Richard\u2019s advice is simple: \u201cIf you find a good one, buy it. They\u2019re comfortable, practical, and they\u2019ve got that old-school Porsche soul. You won\u2019t regret it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    And with parts availability from Design911<\/a>, keeping one on the road has never been easier.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Conclusion: More Than Just a Car<\/h3>\n

    Richard\u2019s 944 Cabriolet isn\u2019t going anywhere. From cross-country drives to father-son road trips, it\u2019s given him memories that no other car could. \u201cIf there was a fire and I could only grab the keys to one car,\u201d he says, \u201cit would be this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

    For those who want a classic Porsche with character, rarity, and genuine driving enjoyment, the Porsche 944 Cabriolet<\/strong> is hard to beat. And if you already own one, you\u2019ll find everything you need to keep it running \u2013 from brakes and suspension to interior parts \u2013 right here at Design911<\/a>.<\/p>\n