1988 Blue Diamond....info

[gkmon5150]

I purchased an '88 Commemorative Edition 911 about two years ago. This was my first Porsche, and I bought the car because it was in my budget...and more importantly I fell in love with its unique paint and interior. I recently purchased a second car, a '99/911. I was ready to sell the '88 but was informed by an acquaintance that the car was "special". He sent me a few threads detailing the car as one of only 875 built, 300 sent to the US etc. My questions are:

What is the approximate value of the car? It has no accidents, great paint/body, 133K, Cabriolet.

How can I get a hold of one of the "Commemorative" certificates that came with the original car.

Where can I find the original "Blue Diamond" wheels that came on the car?

Thanks for any help.

[pjv911]

Ive never heard of this model. Any pictures ?

Kurt Williams

[88-diamondblue]

Welcome to PP. Your friend is correct about the numbers and for the right person it may be worth more. It was to commemorate the 250,000th 911 built. Bruce Anderson puts a 10% premium on the special editions. The diamond blue Fuchs that came with them had the centers painted to match and were 15x7&8's. You should be able to find some used and have them painted to match. I have not seen or heard of a certificate that came with these cars. Have seen a medallion that came with the ROW cars but not the US models. I have a scan of the 1988 CE literature that Porsche used.

[pjv911]

Mike the wheels and ride height of your car look great. Sharp car.

Kurt Williams

[88-diamondblue]

Thanks Kurt. The car was lowered and CB'd by Bob Johnson of Johnson ********e in Shakopee MN. He is part of Toad Hall Racing known for their Porsche that they prep and race. It corners well but the inside of the front tires disappear fairly fast by the way they are set up by them.

[umfan866]

Greg -- welcome to the forums. Thanks for letting me test drive your car, and glad I could inform you that your car was a special commerative edition! That Diamond Blue paint really is a beautiful color it shines different from different angles.

I have the August 2005 issue of excellence, and the value of these cars is pretty steady, and it says that a 1988 is worth
between $19,037 (low) to $21,644 (mid) to $28,975 (excellent).
Excellent is pretty much reserved for cars with super low miles
and factory showroom condition, so lets leave that out.
Adding 10% accordig to what the author Bruce Anderson says in the article, it would be worth say $21,000 to $24,000 if you say it is somewhere between low and mid. Bruce is regarding as being a little on the high side generally, and people on Pelican tend to to think the special editions add about 5-10% values, so I would say your car is worth maybe $21,000-$22,000 depending. One other 1988 CE edition with identical miles and a similar vin and 131k sold at auction for 21,000, so I think this is right in there.

Having seen Greg's car and driven it, here are the pluses and minuses:

Positives-
-original paint shines beautiful, garaged its whole life, 1 small
ding that a dentless paint repair guy could take out
-new top in the last 2 years with only 1 minor blemish
-seats/interior show signs of wear but the signaturs seats and rear seats are in good condition with no rips.
-he has a weltmeister chip in there, and a strut bar
-shifts smooth
-low profile tires w spacers (although these might get replaced)

Negatives
- Previous owner to Greg put a dash cover on the dash (some kind of carpet/felt cover) but glued it down with some sticky substance in many places that has stuck to the dash. If you leave the cover there it isnt noticed, but if you lift it up you see the sticky areas (maybe there is a way to fix this)
-Previous owner also glued down the carpet near the door on the passenger side with some sort of yellow epoxy that you can see (he used to much or something)
-for a Porsche, the car has mid- to high-mileage at 130k compared to mint CE editions with 60k (for example 1 like that is selling in Los Angeles right now)
-because apparently the last several owners didn't know about the CE edition aspect, the car has been treated well but perhaps not been babied it to death, as if it was a very rare gemstone (e.g. detailing it with a toothbrush), it won't win the concourse de la elegance
-whoever put on the turbo twists should have kept the original wheels with the car, but obviously did not.
-if he was going to sell it now, the Cab season is over (may need to wait until spring)

Please help Greg determine the value of his car!

Greg the folks here are good people. They tell it like it is, but will be loyal and helpful. Good Luck. Marvin.

[KFC911]

Hi, and welcome! Here's a link to a thread which contains the Commemorative Edition marketing brochure that Michael mentioned.

How Many '88 Anniversary Carreras Made?

Do a search on 'Commemorative Edition' and you should find several threads over the past few years about these special editions. IMO, they're not 'that' special (other than being a G50 3.2 ), and the fact that you don't have the Diamond Blue wheels, dash condition, etc. negate any premium yours would command. With 130K on her, I think you would be doing well to get 20 or so... Good luck!

[88-diamondblue]

I agree with Keith with any premium for the CE or any of the special edition cars. Maybe in another 20 years it may make a difference. I payed about market rate when I bought my car. Glad I didn't pay what BA said they were selling for. The car I have is in very good condition but I am slowly going through and updating or rebuilding most parts of it. Suspension is next. There was one on Ebay with 65,000 miles that went for maybe $21k after the second or third listing.

[Jeff Burger]

great car ! I happen to own a set of the original wheels for your car with the original diamond blue metalic centers. wheels are very good but not concours with good Toyo RA1 mounted pm or email me if interested jburger6572aol.com

[arerrac]

I think their special!

[Ferrariguyma]

Mine just turned 13,000 miles.

[Monza_dh]

I'm bringing this thread back to try to get you CE owners with the 15" wheels to recommend tire sizes and lowering specs.

I am about to buy tires for mine and will lower it but wondering about specs with the 15"s. 205/55 fronts with 215/50rears? or 225 rears?? Tire rack ahas a few close out deals i'd like to jump on.

How about lowering? Euro spec? to low? what about 24.5 fron 24 rear or 25front 24.5 rear???

Any info would be great!

[88-diamondblue]

I am going to go to a 205/50 or 55 in the front and a 225/45 or 50 in the rear, 215/50 would be too small. I will be mounting a set of Victoracers on a second set of wheels the are 205/50 fronts and 225/45 rears. My car is lowered and corner balanced. It measured 24.75 front and 24.25 rears. The picture shows it with 195/65 front and 215/60 rears.

[Sonic dB]

I cant answer your question other than to say this: My neighbor who lives behind me, who I dont know personally...has 2 new Ferraris in his garage.

He also has an 88 Diamond Edition 911 like yours, which I heard has only 6K miles on it.

The car sits outside with no cover on it. Occaisionally his wife will take it out and putter around in it.

Guy is an example of someone with too much money and not enough appreciation.

[janandean]

I managed to get a hold of a copy of the special edition brochure for the 88 CE. If you keep checking http://www.mclellansautomotive.com/ they come up from time to time.

The CE may not command a premium, but it is a great colour and who wouldn't want the signature seats if you had a choice. Bought mine last summer and I love it.

[janandean]

Regarding the tire sizes, I think the widest you should go on the front is a 205. I have both the factory 15" fuchs with 195s on the front and also a set of 17" aftermarket turbo twists with 225/45s on the front and they rub on some corners.

I bought the car with both sets of wheels. I have since been told to switch to a 205/45 and that will solve my problem. I like different looks the car has with each set...

[janandean]

and same car with the 17s on...

[JeremyD]

Not quite the CE edition - (mine is a 1987) but you get the idea - and this is with 8" 951 wheels in the front and 9" turbo fuchs in the rear.

[KFC911]

Jeremy, Did your car come with those 8s & 9s? I seem to recall that you put them on later...if so, how much difference did it make in the cars handling, traction, etc.? I think it's about time for me to 'retire' my stock 15" Diamond Blue wheels and have always like the way yours look.

[JeremyD]

No No - mine came with 15" 7 & 8 fuchs - at the time there were not many with DB and polished fuchs - and to be honest with you - I was a little concerned about the look with DB - but they really make the car.

Handling wise - night and day. Although I did break my sway bar mount in the rear with the bigger and stickier rubber.