CHECKLIST

BACKGROUND

A four door Porsche saloon was first mooted in 1952, though not until 1988 did a project get under way. The 989 of which about 15 prototypes were built looked promising, but the potential market evaporated and Porsche, already in trouble, abandoned it (painfully writing off DM150M). When the four door idea was refired in 2005, it was underpinned by the run-away success of the Cayenne; the economies of component and platform sharing with the 4x4 also ensured a sounder start. The Panamera has been crucial in markets like China and has sold 4–6000 annually in the US. In 2017 global sales were 27,900 against 32,000 for the 911.

WHERE IS IT?

Devizes-based Steve Bull began in 1996, largely as a service operation. In 2016, Steve’s older son Daniel joined him and built up retail sales as well: “We always seemed to be doing ‘post-purchase’ inspections and corrective work for customers who had bought elsewhere so we thought we might as well sell them decent cars in the first place!” Steve Bull Specialist Cars Ltd: Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes, SN10 2DX , 01380 725444.

FOR

Like a new car, superb interior with almost no sign of use; new Michelin Sport Pilots on front.

AGAINST

Rare manual gearbox will excite enthusiasts, but probably not majority of buyers.

VERDICT

exceptional Porsche for well under 30K.