The 3.2 Carrera joined the 911 line-up in late-1983, and by the following year plans were in motion for a more sporting, lightweight version of the flagship coupé.

Though not a fully fledged Rennsport creation, the famed M637 “Club Sport” option pack offered enthusiastic drivers a suite of upgrades that turned the 911 from sports car into a roadgoing quasi-racer.

The new model eventually made its debut at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show, bringing with it several notable improvements.

Though it shared the same 3.2-litre air-cooled flat-six as its stablemates, the engine was enhanced with hollow intake valves and a new engine management system that lifted the rev limit from 6,250 to 6,840 rpm.

The tried-and-tested five-speed Getrag G50 transaxle remained, though the gear ratios were revised, while a limited-slip differential became standard equipment.

Bilstein dampers were added, along with stiffer engine and gearbox mounts.

On paper, at least, the 3.2 Carrera’s 231 horsepower output...