1985 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

The introduction of the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet marked a practical shift in Porsche’s model strategy during the early 1980s. After years of customer requests, the company finally paired its core 911 platform with a fully open body style. Alongside the Targa, it reflected changing expectations of how a sports car could be used and enjoyed.

Technical Details:

The Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 represented a technically mature stage of the classic air-cooled 911. At its heart was a 3,164 cc air-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine producing 231 PS at 6,200 rpm. This powerplant offered strong torque delivery and a top speed of around 240 km/h, while keeping overall vehicle weight at approximately 1,180 kg.

All Carrera 3.2 variants benefited from a reinforced braking system with a larger brake booster, as well as a standard brake pad wear indicator, underlining Porsche’s focus on durability and everyday usability. Optional aerodynamic packages, consisting of a front spoiler and rear wing, could be specified to improve high-speed stability and marginally increase maximum speed.

From the mid-1980s onward, Porsche also responded to changing emissions requirements and customer demand by offering a catalytic converter option. This version reduced output to 207 PS but allowed the Carrera to meet stricter environmental standards. The Carrera 3.2 is widely regarded as robust and capable of very high mileages, reflecting steady refinement of engine and injection systems compared to earlier generations.

• Manufacturer: Porsche
• Model Name: Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet & Targa
• Year of Manufacturing: 1983–1989

Design:

Visually, the Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet and Targa remained faithful to the familiar 911 G-model shape. The Cabriolet introduced a fully open body style with an electrically operated fabric roof, carefully engineered and solidly constructed. Some critics noted the relatively high roof curvature when stowed under the cover, but the overall execution marked a decisive step toward restoring open-air driving to the 911 lineup.

The Targa version continued alongside the Cabriolet, retaining its fixed roll hoop, now finished in black. It remained popular with customers who appreciated the balance between open driving and structural reassurance. Both body styles could be ordered with wider tires and optional “Turbo-look” bodywork, though some purists felt this softened the clarity of the original 911 lines. Inside, the Carrera followed Porsche’s established functional design language, with clear instrumentation and a driver-focused layout that emphasized control rather than decoration.

Historical Significance:

For almost twenty years, customers had questioned Porsche’s reluctance to offer a true Cabriolet or Roadster, despite such cars being part of the brand’s early history. The Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet, first introduced in 1983 and fully integrated into the model range by 1984, addressed this gap directly. It also served a strategic purpose: revitalizing interest in the 911 at a time when the Porsche 928, despite its technical sophistication, was not meeting sales expectations.

Production of the Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet and Targa ran until 1989, with a total of 38,466 units built across all body styles. Throughout this period, Porsche steadily improved corrosion protection, extending the long-term anti-rust warranty to ten years by the 1986 model year. The Carrera 3.2 also formed a technical bridge between the earlier 911 SC and the later 964 generation, consolidating lessons learned over decades of development.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

Within enthusiast circles, the Carrera 3.2 is firmly associated with the late G-model era and is often described as one of the most mechanically settled air-cooled 911s. It is known for its raw, analog driving experience, defined by direct steering, a heavy clutch, and the distinctive rear-engine balance that newer generations would gradually refine away.

The reintroduction of the Cabriolet became symbolic of relaxed yet sporty driving in the 1980s, particularly in export markets. Early Cabriolet examples are now considered especially desirable, with originality and documented history playing a major role in collector interest. Despite the availability of the open Cabrio, the Targa remained a consistent sales success, underscoring its loyal following.

The era concluded with the arrival of the Speedster version in 1989, finally satisfying long-standing roadster enthusiasts and closing an important chapter in 911 body-style diversity.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Classic Expo Salzburg in 2021. As one of Austria’s premier classic car events, the show has established itself as a central meeting point for collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts from across Central Europe. The 2021 edition took place at Messezentrum Salzburg and featured more than 250 exhibitors, along with a strong turnout of over 20,000 visitors. Attendees could explore a broad range of offerings—from historical vehicles and motorcycles to automobilia, spare parts, and literature.

Conclusion:

The Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet and Targa combined proven air-cooled engineering with the long-awaited return of open-top driving. Technically robust, visually familiar, and strategically important for Porsche’s model range, these cars helped reaffirm the appeal of the 911 during the 1980s. Today, they stand as clear expressions of a mature classic formula, balancing tradition, usability, and enduring enthusiast appeal.