An Ignoble Experiment: M491 Cabriolet

July 06, 2026

Good Morning! I hope this Monday morning finds you with all your fingers intact after a fun-filled long weekend. Between blowing things up in the backyard, I compiled June’s market numbers, and for the first time this year, we saw a slight year-over-year dip in sell-through rate, finishing at 73% versus 74% in June 2025. Even so, dollar and unit volume crushed last year’s totals, with more than $60 million in sales across 746 cars, compared to $38 million from 614 cars a year ago.

THE MARKET

Sell-Through Rate (STR): 76% (3rd), 88% (5th)
Market Volume ($): $1,562,695 (3rd), $568,000 (5th)
Market Volume (Units): 17 (3rd), 8 (5th)

TOP SALES

1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 $524,999* duPont Registry Live
2004 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe 6spd $292,946* duPont Registry Live
1961 Porsche 356B 1600S Roadster $175,000 Bring a Trailer
2023 Porsche 911 Targa 4S $165,000 Bring a Trailer
1986 Porsche 911 Cab. 5spd M491 $142,000 Bring a Trailer

SPOTLIGHT

PHOTO CREDIT: BRING A TRAILER

Introduced along with the Carrera 3.2 in 1984, Porsche’s M491 option was a way to get the looks of the 930 Turbo for your standard, non-turbo 911. The Turbo-Look package contained the front fenders of the 930 turbo along with the widened fenders at the back, which were attached the same way as the Turbos with flares welded to the narrow body. It also included the front apron with Black rubber spoiler and integrated driving lights along with the 930 Turbos rear wing, a stiffer suspension, Turbo brakes, and wider Turbo wheels.

This 1986 911 Carrera Cabriolet 5-Speed M491 came finished in White Gold Metallic over a Grey Green leather interior and showed 61,000 km (~38k miles). In addition to the desirable M491 Turbo Look package, it was factory optioned with a limited-slip differential, and appeared to be in very nice condition overall, with only a few age- and mileage-appropriate imperfections noted by the seller. Paint meter readings and service records were also included in the gallery, along with plenty of pictures and a very cool cockpit cover.

Over the past twelve months, Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet values have averaged $58,000, with a low of $37,700 and a high of $96,500 for a 53,000-mile Guards Red example. Although our Spotlight Car was located north of the border in Canada, the color and mileage drove the bids, helping it set a new high at $142,000.

NOTEWORTHY SALES (AND NO-SALES)

PHOTO CREDIT: DUPONT REGISTRY LIVE

Showing just 463 miles on the clock, the question for this 2004 911 Turbo Coupe 6-Speed wasn’t whether it would set a new high, but by how much. Finished in Black over Black, this 996 also featured a factory Aerokit, 18-inch SportTechno wheels, and a host of Exclusive Manufaktur options. It sold at a final bid of $278,996, or $292,946 with buyer’s fee, obliterating the previous twelve-month high of $182,996.
The last time we saw this 1961 356B Notchback was back in July of last year when it failed to sell at a final bid of $69,999. Coming out of 62 years with the same family, the car was repainted in its factory color of Slate Gray in 2005 and had some rust repairs since the prior listing. Other work completed over the years included an engine rebuild in 2012, a rebuilt shifter and odometer replacement in 2018, a valve adjust ment in 2021, and replacement of the temperature sensor and an oil change in 2023. It sold this time around at a final bid of $75,500, which was a strong (and welcome) showing for a Notchback.
Had this 122,000-mile 2007 Cayman S 6-Speed been stock, estimates would have been in the $15,500 to $24,100 range. But stock it was not. Finished in Speed Yellow over Black, this 987 S was modified with an engine rebuilt to 3.8-liters using an LN Engineering Nickies kit with replacement Mahle pistons and Carrillo connecting rods. Additional modifications include Bilstein coilovers, H&R sway bars, Tarett Engineering and Rennline suspension components, a Numeric Racing shifter, and a Fabspeed exhaust system. It topped estimates, hammering at $36,500.

NEW LISTINGS

PHOTO CREDIT: PCARMARKET

The Kiln Red Metallic this 1983 911SC Coupe 5-Speed wears is a pretty interesting color and one I don’t think I’ve featured before. Showing 190,911 miles, this example had a complete engine rebuild over 2025 and 2026 with the seller uploading some extra photos of the work. The Tan leather interior is a bit mis-matched, but I could live with that as the big work has been done. Recent high-mileage comps sit in the $44-55,000 range, so we’ll see where this one lands.
This 2016 911 GT3 RS comes finished in Lava Orange over a Black leather and Alcantara interior and shows just 86 miles on the odometer. It’s a little light on the options with a $187,145 sticker and is a bit light on the photos as well, but how many do you need for an 86 mile car? The current twelve-month high of $285,000 sits with a 170-mile example, also in Lava Orange, that sold a few months ago. That car had a few more options, though. Options > Miles?
With four days left to go, this 1991 911 Carrera 2 Coupe 5-Speed is already bid to $150,964 as it comes finished in its original shade of Mint Green from the factory. Showing 133,000 km (~83k miles), it was imported to the US from Japan earlier this year and had a $15k engine-out service back in April. The current twelve-month high of $194,964 is held by a 57,000-mile example in Maritime Blue. But we’ve seen Mint Green bring serious money recently.

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AUCTIONS ENDED JULY 3rd-5th

2026 Porsche 911 C4 GTS Coupe $191,000 Bring a Trailer
2023 Porsche 911 Targa 4S $165,000 Bring a Trailer
2022 Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo $86,250 Bring a Trailer
2022 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo $56,500 Bring a Trailer
2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S $91,000 Bring a Trailer
2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo $64,500 Bring a Trailer
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 $94,200 Bring a Trailer
2015 Porsche Boxster GTS $70,000 Bring a Trailer
2014 Porsche Cayenne Diesel $20,100 Bring a Trailer
2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo $8,000 Bring a Trailer
2007 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe $82,000 Bring a Trailer
2007 Porsche Cayman S 6spd Modified $36,500 Bring a Trailer
2006 Porsche Boxster S 6spd $28,000 Bring a Trailer
2004 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe 6spd $292,946* duPont Registry Live
1995 Porsche 911 C4 Coupe 6spd $116,000 Bring a Trailer
1995 Porsche 911 Cab. 6spd $82,500 Bring a Trailer
1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 $524,999* duPont Registry Live
1991 Porsche 911 Targa 5spd Modified $166,000 Bring a Trailer
1986 Porsche 911 Cab. 5spd M491 $142,000 Bring a Trailer
1986 Porsche 944 5spd $11,000 Bring a Trailer
1973 Porsche 911T Coupe 5spd $82,500 Bring a Trailer
1973 Porsche 914 Project $2,900 Bring a Trailer
1965 912 Coupe 5spd $49,250 Bring a Trailer
1961 Porsche 356B 1600S Roadster $175,000 Bring a Trailer
1961 Porsche 356B Notchback $75,500 Bring a Trailer

*Prices in Red denote a high bid and no sale. All prices are high bids and do not include the buyer’s premium unless otherwise noted by a (*). Cars listed include those offered on US online auction websites and at US in-person auctions. Unless noted, 12-month averages, lows, and highs are from online sales from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, and PCARMARKET.