Fancy Jenson Button’s rare Porsche 911?

Big name wheels

Collecting Cars might be a relative newcomer to the world of classic car auctions, but it is already attracting big names. Like 2009 Formula One Drivers’ World Champion Jenson Button.

Yes, that’s right, Button is selling his 1994 Porsche 911 turbo 3.6 X88 right now through the online vendor – and it is being offered with no reserve.

But, as we’re about to find out, this car is pretty special in itself, quite apart from its global superstar current owner.

Special order

This image gives a clue to one of the reasons why this is no ordinary 964-generation Porsche 911.

It was built in March 1994 and was specially ordered by the Sultan of Brunei, someone who is well known for having a fleet of high-end, bespoke and often unique cars.

The one and only

And this 911 is no exception – it’s a one-off.

This 964 turbo 3.6 was equipped, from the factory, with the rare ‘X88’ power package, which takes the 3.6-litre flat-six’s output up to 380bhp.

Blue chip

What makes it a one-off is that this is the only 911 with the ‘X88’ pack to be painted in this, we think rather glorious colour, called Horizon Blue metallic.

As you can see, this is a fine match for the interior which is also uniquely specified with full Marine Blue leather upholstery, as well as electrically adjustable comfort seats and a matching, leather-trimmed, airbag-equipped steering wheel.

Not the average

This is no ordinary Zuffenhausen export, then.

With its no-reserve listing it is sure to attract a lot of attention, from automotive enthusiasts and F1 fans, as well as from serious Porsche collectors.

In control

This spectacular, right-hand-drive Porsche 911, for sale now with Collecting Cars, sends its increased output to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.

It also has a limited-slip differential.

Champion’s chair

This 27-year-old 911 appears to be in great condition.

That Marine Blue leather upholstery is described by the vendor as being ‘well-preserved, with some light creases on the front seats and very minor wear in front of the driver’s electric seat controls’.

Room for a little one!

The rear seats look barely used. Each has a leather seat base and upper back, as well as a three-pointed seatbelt. You might need to be pretty flexible to get to them, though, and slight of frame, too.

We know Jenson Button has a young family, but without Isofix, we suspect this was not an option for his family classic.

Low-mile lovely

It has all the hallmarks of a lightly used classic – which is exactly what this Porsche 911 is.

In fact, it is yet to hit the 20,000-mile mark, with 19,283 miles showing on its odometer. It has been enjoyed, then, we are pleased to see, but there is plenty of life left in it. What a prospect.

Rear view

We hope that this car’s winning bidder adds to that figure.

This Type 964 is one of a mere 13 turbo 3.6 coupés produced by Porsche with the factory ‘X88’ pack and we’d hate all that extra performance to go to waste.

The joy of six

From October 1992, Porsche endowed the 911 turbo with a 355bhp 3.6-litre engine, fewer than 1500 of which were sold.

The ‘X88’ package of performance enhancements swapped this for the 380bhp M64/50S Turbo ‘S’ engine, and also added 18-inch Speedline split-rim wheels as well as a four-pipe exhaust system.

Exclusive club

Buyers could either spec the ‘X88’ kit as a factory option via the ‘Porsche Exclusive’ scheme, or it could be retrofitted by Porsche dealers. It is thought that, in total, just 52 cars received this engine from the factory.

Which means it is part of a pretty exclusive club.

As for Porsche Club GB, we don’t know if Jenson Button is or was a member, but we like to think this sticker is a sign that this car has received enthusiast care.

Great plate

You might have noticed that this Porsche 964 turbo 3.6 wears quite a cool numberplate – ‘G4 TBO’.

Prospective bidders might be pleased to learn that this is included in this sale, and we’re sure it will do the final price no harm at all.

Wonder wheels

And here are those polished 18-inch split-rim Speedline alloy wheels.

Fitted as part of the ‘X88’ package and with the ‘turbo’ script at their centre, they look to be in excellent condition and certainly add to the visual appeal of this rare Porsche 911.

A breath of fresh air

As you might expect in a car whose first owner was the Sultan of Brunei, this unique 911 is very well specced.

It has an electric sliding sunroof and air conditioning, so you can choose what type of ventilation you prefer, plus the headlight levelling system, a top-tinted windscreen, a rear windscreen wiper and an onboard computer.

Present and correct

That is quite a lot of kit on a nearly three-decade-old classic Porsche, but the vendor reassures us that there are no electrical or mechanical faults.

Collecting Cars adds: ‘The interior trim, switches and buttons are also in great shape, and while there is a hairline crack on the plastic heater control panel this is commensurate with the car’s age.’

All in order

Everything is as it should be here, too.

Plus, it will be sold with its original handbooks and service book, invoices detailing its maintenance history, all its previous tax discs and a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.

Whatever it takes

And having been owned first by real royalty and then, for the past three years by racing royalty, we suspect that this Porsche has enjoyed no-expense-spared maintenance.

The Sultan of Brunei, we are quite sure, gave no thought to the added expense of the extras he specified from the factory back in 1994, and this car certainly seems to have been cherished.

Specialist knowledge

This 964 goes to auction with a new MoT that it passed first time on 4 November 2020, with no advisories.

It has also recently been serviced by Suffolk-based classic car specialist Tudor & Black.

Only the best

Prior to that, in February 2014 when it had done 18,008 miles, it was serviced in Newcastle-upon-Tyne by independent Porsche specialist Tom Ferguson, and in September 2012 at 17,117 miles by another marque specialist, Strasse in Leeds.

All of which should reassure this Porsche’s next lucky custodian.

An epic soundtrack

Vendor Collecting Cars has shared a super video of this 911, with Chris Harris at the wheel, and in that you have opportunity to hear this 964 turbo under load, the ‘six’ singing through that optional four-pipe exhaust system.

It really does sound glorious – and Harris is clearly smitten with this car, too.

The real deal

Harris concedes he used to never be into 964s, but recently that has changed – and this example only underlines that fact.

He describes it as “the last of the old-school Porsches” and “built to last”, with a strong engine and crisp gearbox, and he revels in the turbo lag of a car with serious performance.

Hey, good looking

Harris describes it as “exciting” to drive, and while we haven’t had the pleasure we love that it delivers from behind the wheel as well as aesthetically – who doesn’t love that famous, functional rear spoiler?

“This is 911 perfection for looks,” says Harris, who confirms there are no squeaks or rattles from the interior when driving.

True blue

From its swollen rear arches and exclusive split-rim wheels, to that lovely but understated soundtrack and that hewn-from-solid interior, this is one very special Porsche.

Sadly, we can see it heading into a collection rather than being enjoyed on the road, its famous current and former owners perhaps increasing the likelihood of this.

How deep are your pockets?

So, what will it go for? Bidding started at just shy of £11,000 and at the time of writing it stands at £200,000 – we’ve watched it tick up to that figure as we’ve been writing this. We suspect the price will continue to climb…

With the Sultan of Brunei and former F1 champion Jenson Button in its history, as well as being a low-mile, rarely specced example, you’re likely to need to dig really deep to call this your own.

The clock is ticking

Bidding is open now on this unique, 964-generation 1994 Porsche 911 turbo 3.6 X88.

If you like the look of it, and you are lucky enough to have the means to buy and care for it, you have until 7pm BST on Thursday 2 September 2021 to place your bid.

And you can check out the full listing here.