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Car Tales: Unimprovable, Porsche Carrera Coupe G50

The very first Porsche gearbox was a transaxle, a common case sharing the gear stack and the differential. All Porsche 356-997 street and race cars share this same design theory. From the first 356 design through the 1980s 911s, Porsche used their own design synchronizers. Yet even with several evolutions of their own designs, they could always be problematic.

1988 Porsche Carrera Coupe G50 for sale

The very first Porsche gearbox was a transaxle, a common case sharing the gear stack and the differential. All Porsche 356-997 street and race cars share this same design theory. From the first 356 design through the 1980s 911s, Porsche used their own design synchronizers. Yet even with several evolutions of their own designs, they could always be problematic.

In 1987 the Porsche 911 transmission took on a huge improvement in reliability, durability, and ease of operation with Porsche design 950, commonly called the G50 gearbox. They have been used from 1987 to the present day in all 911, 964, 993, 996, and 997-bodied cars. These gearboxes, made by Getrag, use the Borg-Warner (Ford) style synchromesh. A variant of this is still used in the 996/997 GT3, GT3R, and 996/997TT/GT2 cars. And hence the G50 appellation of the 1988 Porsche Carrera Coupe we presently have on sale at Beverly Hills Car Club.

Buyer or Seller Questions? Let’s Talk! 310-975-0272

This 1988 Porsche Carrera Coupe G50 is featured with matching numbers and has 59,373 miles on the odometer. Finished in its factory color Silver Metallic (980), the car is complemented by a black interior, a timeless color combination that exudes elegance and understated sportiness. Power is delivered by the legendary air-cooled 3.2-liter flat-six engine, paired with the desirable 5-speed G50 manual transaxle.

1988 Porsche Carrera Coupe G50 side view

Additional mechanical and exterior features include a single exhaust outlet, four-wheel disc brakes, VDO instrumentation, Bosch-branded headlights and front fog lights, rear rubber bumperettes, a classic 4-spoke steering wheel, and iconic 16-inch Fuchs-style wheels, with the spare tire properly housed in the front trunk.

Inside, the Carrera offers a well-appointed cabin with factory comfort and convenience features such as power windows, cruise control, power-adjustable seats, door pockets, a glove box, OEM radio, and dual-side rearview mirrors, making it equally enjoyable for spirited drives or relaxed cruising.

This example is supported by a clean CARFAX report. A particularly noteworthy detail is the presence of the color code and options sticker under the hood, an often-overlooked but highly prized element among collectors and Porsche purists.

Do not miss this excellent opportunity to acquire an air-cooled Carrera 3.2 that is mechanically sound.

As with the earlier Porsche transmissions, Porsche has manufactured many different gear ratios, as well as ring and pinion sets to allow the gearboxes to be set up for virtually any kind of driving.

1988 Porsche Carrera Coupe G50 rear view

Most of the street car gearing is selected with fuel economy in mind, so there are many opportunities for performance improvements with changing gear sets or ring and pinions.

The first version of the gearbox was a 5-speed, but the introduction of the 993 brought on a 6-speed version of the G50 gearbox. The 993TT and four-wheel drive 993 and 993 4S use a similar gearbox with a driveshaft that extends through the nosecone to drive the front wheels.

1988 Porsche Carrera Coupe G50 interior

However, that was for the future. Our G-body Carrera boasts the highly sought-after G50 five-speed manual gearbox – a feature introduced in 1987 and now a must-have for enthusiasts and collectors alike, a distinctive aspect of our car, which is ready to be enjoyed immediately and a great addition to any classic collection.

What a G, may be your consideration…

As the final evolution of the original 911 before the arrival of the 964, the Carrera 3.2 represents the pinnacle of Porsche’s classic air-cooled era. Its 3.2-liter flat-six engine, sending power to the rear, offers a thrilling yet approachable driving experience that makes every journey special. Unlike some of its rarer and more expensive contemporaries, the Carrera 3.2 remains an accessible entry point into classic 911 ownership – one that rewards spirited driving.

With its timeless design, mechanical robustness, and a history that underscores its careful ownership, this example is not only a stunning car to look at but one that can be thoroughly enjoyed on the road.

The 3.2-liter production engine was claimed to be 80 per cent new, although its basis was still the proven 3-liter assembly, coded 930/20 for Rest-of-the-World models or 930/21 for the United States, Canada and Japan. It used the 95-millimeter (3.71-inch) Nikasil barrels from the SC and the 74.4 millimeter (2.90—inch) a stroke crankshaft from the Turbo, giving a displacement of 3,164cc (193.0 cubic inches).

1988 Porsche Carrera Coupe G50 engine

The core engine parts were the same for all markets, only the compression ratio and the emissions devices varying. Porsche was moving toward one model for all its markets.

The 3.2 engines were the first to be fitted with the ‘mother of all chain-tensioners,’ the engine oil-fed hydraulic type. These new tensioners effectively closed the story on the 911’s famous weakness. The feed pipes to the tensioners were taken off the external oil supply pipes to each cylinder head bank.

There was no looking back.

-Alex Manos, Owner

1988 Porsche Carrera Coupe G50 buyer Alex Manos

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