2001 Porsche Boxster S
When you think Porsche, you think 911. That’s a valid thought process, one that you almost certainly will be forgiven for making. Throughout the years though, Porsche has on occasion tried to shift that process, to develop their brand beyond, and challenge the Stuttgart status quo.
In the 1970s and 80s that meant building new and exciting models that were by definition the complete opposite to the 911, with a front engine, water cooled models like the 924, 944 and 928. Today, that looks more like family haulers and EVs like the Macan, Cayenne and Taycan.
But if there is one symbol of success outside of the 911 that Porsche can look to as a north star, it’s the Boxster. The car that up until the launch of the Cayenne, was its highest volume sales success. It brought the Porsche brand to a whole new market, with a mid-engined layout like the 914, but styling cues of the 996 generation 911, it was the birth of an icon.
This example is an early, ULEZ 3.2-litre Boxster S. It’s a C16 - UK specification car, finished in Artic Silver with a contrasting blue soft top. Despite its UK spec it was purchased new to Northern Ireland from D’leteren Porsche Centre Brussels, an interesting tid-bit.
The Artic Silver paintwork is in excellent shape, with a deepshine which is characteristically difficult to achieve on silver cars. The wheels are genuine 18” Porsche Turbo twist items, wrapped in a matching set of Pirelli tyres, they're a tasteful “OEM+” upgrade that leans into the shared design language of the 996 generation 911.