Possibly the ultimate version of the 3.2 Carrera was the 'Option M491-Turbo-look' or 'Supersport' as it later became known in the UK.

Initially, Option M491 was only available on a Coupé and had to be ordered through the "Special Wishes" program, but was later extended to include the Targa and Cabriolet in 1985, before becoming an official model available from dealers in 1986.

From 1987 onwards these dramatic versions were officially known as SSE (Supersport Equipment), and the cars in this final three year run up until 1989 were fitted with the more user-friendly G50 Getrag gearbox.

'M491' was not just a sop to the excesses of the 1980s, with flared arches evoking the appearance of some dramatic Porsche models from the past, but was a popular option offering the 'macho' good looks of the Turbo without the mechanical complexities.

However it was not cheap, adding over £10,000 to the cost of a standard variant by the end of the model"s life in 1989, possibly explaining the relative...