The Screamer: A $200,000+ Porsche 944 Turbo

PCA Hurricane Region Member Steve Bastian has loved Porsches since the 1980s, and instead of pouring his automotive passion into just air-cooled or rear-engined cars (he has those, too), his pride and joy is a highly modified 1989 944 Turbo that he lovingly refers to as a "944 RS." We saw it at PCA's Werks Reunion Amelia Island this year, and when we learned Bastian and the previous owner had more than $200,000 invested in it, we had to find out more.
Bastian's 944 Turbo is a far cry from how it rolled off the factory line, with the inline four bored out to 2.7 liters and 400+ horsepower plus braking and suspension upgrades to match. The exterior color is a custom formulation based off of Porsche Fashion Gray, and the interior has been spared no expense. Watch the video above, and be sure to read the in-depth article in the December 2018 Porsche Panorama: www.pca.org/pa...

[@hunterjones9822]

Where did the other $130,000.00 go? Is there 200 Kilos of coke in the trunk or something?

[@leedye6687]

$111k in original maintenance and repairs + $90k = math is simple.

[@ftnppg1272]

These cars are expensive to build. It isnt much cheaper than a 911. I see 100k. Not 200k.

[@s-loke9047]

😅😂😂

[@fila6243]

i own one everything costs triple not because thats what it costs but because everyone sees you coming. 2700 for a wheel alignment i was quoted.

[@hcm1457]

Well, there was 200 kilos. Took her out for the weekend now only 199. All that machine shop work and a frame off resto I can believe it.

[@timothymills733]

I think these have always been underrated cars. Great build, and great story. Well done.

[@QuickshiftCars]

Nice RX7!

[@genetung8590]

Sirpalmtree. Your momma

[@andyglenn464]

Too bad the 924/944 came out before the RX7.

[@RedbadvanRijn-ft3vv]

Nsu ro 80. Germans invented it,bu never look back after the nsu.

[@viggolorenzodevries2531]

Sirpalmtree sure as hell looks like an FC

[@darkcrusher-jt1dr]

Nice Starion/Conquest

[@sebastianperalta9052]

Great video! This car was featured in the December 2018 issue of Panorama (pca memebers magazine). Fantastic article as well if you are interested in 944 / 951.

[@henrymorgan3982]

Very nice!

[@user-vg5dj6qi9b]

🔥🔥🔥

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Glad you enjoyed it. Be sure to subscribe.

[@928pcar]

Dude spent a bunch of money on parts etc then calls it worth what he put into it 😂

[@lefarron82]

Typically I'd youtube 944 videos and get a bunch of ppl setting the camera by the exhaust pipe doing engine rev's as if it's intriguing. This video is hands down the best (American) 944 video I've seen to date, damn Im proud to own a 944.

[@Ghost-fh5mz]

you haven't heard my exhaust then...

[@adriancrozier7929]

Sicccck......based on this story......and the inspirational art work I just bought one 20 min ago....woo ha cant wait to get rollin....took 30 years for that dream to be realised awesome vid👍👌

[@douglasmartinez2756]

I was 16 when the 87 came out and it was just a dream! Finally got one a week ago!😂

[@vrdriller1822]

Got mine in July. I am upgrading and fixing a few things. Can’t wait to drive her with all the new parts and cosmetics.

[@bon6461]

I'm online shopping for mine as well.

[@nirusinghr]

This is the first 944 I have seen that has been properly put back together. Ever since I got fascinated by the car, I imagined fixing the car exactly like this! Well done sir!!

[@1cbsmithsanjuan]

Nirupam Singh, Think you’ll be seeing more restored 944’s in the near future. They’re finally appreciating in value. Long overdue if you ask me! I’ve always had an affinity for the 944 turbo. Guys in my age bracket (early 40’s) will definitely help drive prices up.

[@eanbarrett6736]

@@1cbsmithsanjuan The NA 944 is still dirt cheap though. I really need to upgrade to the turbo before it gets to outrageous.

[@garage9283]

Nirupam Singh that’s because your are looking in the wrong country. Go do a search in Germany where you will find a lot off P-cars restored, rebuild, just fine tuned at a level the Americans will nowhere be close! Well except for this one in the video.

[@palatinaworks7251]

Thanks for this video! I am much more a fan of transaxle Porsches than 911s. 911s are great but 944s, 968s and 928s deserve much more attention. They are in the shadows of the air-cooled. Thanks for getting attention to them! Really cool build! Best, 944, and 968 wishes from Taiwan.

[@928pcar]

The 911 is the poor man’s 928

[@zzzgarage2704]

pop up headlights 951 was the ultimate 4 cylinder car back in 80s

[@macwoods8011]

Got a 84 NA 944 for my daily driver. Learned to shift on it and love it so much

[@christopherwilliams8423]

944 is sexist car ever! I’d want an LS3 myself.

[@apexalpha4947]

I would own 10 of the Nicest 944 Turbos in the country for that Price ! WTF Dude ???

[@edjackson4389]

Nice example o a 944 but, the title is a bit misleading. This car could be easily reproduced for $80K- $100K

[@douglasmartinez2756]

I kept hitting the like button over and over. The best 944 I’ve ever seen! Great job sir!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Glad you liked it!

[@JohnMalik]

Great video Mr. Keown and what an awesome car. I always thought the 944 was a tremendous car and a true Porsche.

[@bradpace2261]

Well I thought I had the nicest 944 turbo out there. But thanks for proving me wrong, only have 70k dumped into mine lol. Love this car

[@evanfinch4987]

No offense to dude, but his is not the nicest 951 out there and $200k is preposterous.

[@cdres74]

I just want to know what rims those are on the car. Working on a 944 now and those look amazing on it with the right suspension setup.

[@henningh]

Agreed, looks amazing

[@Tangster1205]

Your love for the 944 is contagious. And am envy of the relationship you have with your son. Thank you for sharing.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe.

[@jcenterpriseinc]

Love your car...I regret selling my 951...never liked them until my Bro convince me to try them out...was always a 911 guy...but glad i had the previledge...one of the best car ever...

[@michaelcampbell4503]

Awesome, I thought I was spending a lot restoring my 944S but its clear $200k buys you a hell of a great car! Fascinating to see what you've kept from the original and what you upgraded.

[@random816]

No. That is not a $200K 944. You would be lucky to get $40K for it.

[@fatherandsonrc]

Fantastic video and amazing car.

[@manudelmarche]

200K$ on this car? Utter nonsense

[@allenh7266]

That's a lot of love in a 944 turbo, respect 🙌

[@joejoe188]

That's insane $$$ in that car. I tell you what, i saw this car in person at Werks Reunion Amelia Island and it looks impressive. A lot of people simply because they are wealthy, are more likely to pay whatever the price is quoted to get the car to their liking bec they can't do the job themselves or just don't feel like shopping around and or use common sense. $200k for 450hp? Hummm, idk about that. Yes I know a good paint job and body work, and custom anything gets expensive, but really?

[@stevebastian7519]

That's what makes America GREAT ! You can do what you want to with what ever you own. $111K was spent on the car before I bought it for $15K. The $90K is on me and the enjoyment my son and I got doing this is well spent.

[@eanbarrett6736]

The paint job is very nice but personally I would have kept an original factory color.

[@slowlearner984]

Nice car, but you can do what you want for a lot less than $111k. I personally don't see the value. I've not even spent 10% of that and my car is finished... werl as finished as they ever get. LOL

[@Horrido05]

@@stevebastian7519 What headlights did you use?

[@MrJearley6]

Thank this Video!!! This 944 is so nice DAMN this is so nice!!! Wonderful job!!! Once again Thanks!!!

[@projectg408]

The 944 continues to grow on me a lot. I love the way they look and what good platforms they are.

[@gavinc74]

Great car....think it just needs the later teardrop wing mirrors to finish it off and maybe the later raised boot spoiler.

[@danopureblood7066]

I own a 71-911t, a 2001 996 cab and a 1990 928GT The 928GT is by far the best of them all!

[@disbsam333]

@@HerrKuhn928 thats becsuse the owners are trying to recoupe the massive maintenance costs LOL

[@simmo2745]

By best, what do you mean? I’ve had a 928 a 944 and now have a 911 72S, love em all, but for me the ‘best’ as a cruiser/GT was the 928, but for a drivers car (which is what Porsche is about) the 944 and 928 don’t even come close to my 72S, for me it’s the best by a long way

[@56588]

200k hahahahahhahahahahahahhahah

[@jeremysutton696]

Love your 951, I have a silver rose 951, do you know the performance of the car? I’ve managed to achieve 425bhp from a standard 2.5 8valve engine.

[@stevebastian7519]

Jeremy: My car is right around 425 bhp as well. That is without the nitrous. The low end Lindsey Turbo really makes it fast out of the gate. Top speed of 160 mph on a very rural road.

[@jeremysutton696]

I fitted meth injection also which made a noticeable difference in performance.

[@i-never-look-at-replies-lol]

Mine is 363 RWHP with 2.8 stroker and 17 lbs of boost off a big ass turbo. E85 and more boost = 500 at the rears

[@afeudale]

Beautiful! I'm 25k into my 944 already (1 year in), and don't have nearly the mods yours does...but I see how it adds up fasssstttt!

[@vgidenko47]

Nice clip! I was never much of a fan of 944, this one might have changed my mind about them Nicely done sir

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Sorry for my French but I exclaimed WHAT THE FUCK?! Every 30 seconds. Absolute dream I wish I could give this much love to my NA. Beautiful. Well said. Drive this car and it’s Porsche all the way. Just because it’s not a 911 doesn’t mean it’s not a fantastic machine. Engineering and design, form following function. How can you get any more purebred Porsche than that? Thanks for increasing all of our cars values lol. Exactly what I’d love to do to my car. Money is not a factor. This car is going to one of my future kids. I bought it when I was 17 in my Senior year of high school. With money that I had saved for 13+ years. Love love love this video, perfect depiction of what Porsche ownership is about. At the end of the day, we get in our cars, whether they are worth $200,000 or $4,000 and we love and cherish them. Most importantly we DRIVE them. Cheers.

[@jeremysutton696]

Beautiful car, I have a Silver Rose coloured 944 Turbo, did you get the car on the Dino, do you know the bhp?

[@tim2468]

Great to see the 951 getting respect again!

[@OnPointFirearms]

I could’ve watched an hour of this. Beautiful video. My new favorite 944 on the web.

[@MrLince-hr4of]

to much bla bla bla !

[@alloutofdonuts3998]

I still don't understand how people can say a car is a $___k car when lots of that $ is in maintenance over the years or just bring the car back up to par. I understand this car is a different beast but I've met people who think because they replaced a bunch of worn parts and had the car painted that it's worth 20x the book value. IMO only mods can improve the value of an older car, and that's subhectable to each individual. Restoring a car that is actually collectable is another story.

[@nixadroneguy6319]

I've owned a 924s, 944s and 944 turbo along with several other sports cars and the water-pumpers have always been my favorites. Sir, your car is amazing!!!

[@Human2Ai2030]

Great car ! True classic , I have been privileged enough to own several 944's . What people do is use the 944S2 3.0L bottom end and the 944 2.7 single cam top end , how ever the late last 2.5 Turbo top end use bigger exhaust valves that are ceramic coated to withstand the heat .

[@colinbowman8816]

Ooo modern turbo, torsion bar delete, 968 6spd transaxle. I'm sure this car is brilliant to drive.

[@virgilrytaar9083]

Wow......just wow. Could be the perfect Porsche right there. Purists will disagree of course but everything here is just so 'right'. Good job!

[@kmagnuss4597]

Great video! Wish it was longer.

[@Martin944turbo]

$200,000? I have a '89 944 Turbo. Now I need to watch this video because the amount is beyond insanity.

[@carljung9230]

should have taught your kid how to control a fork.

[@peterszybura8552]

Wow I just love this car. And I need too know who makes that front carbon fiber front splitter???

[@ryans4633]

Been a 944 owner since 2003. Will always be one of the most beautiful cars to me and that’s ok if you disagree

[@JIANYM36]

Now that is a guy that loves cars, his 944. Congrats on being unique and not caring about re value but about what you love. I salute you

[@ernestocaballero4680]

Beautiful car, very admirable work. I one day hope to work on a car with my child(boy or girl) and pass on to them. Great story and awesome video.

[@lee2217]

Great to see some love for the 944

[@1958gibsonxplorer1]

What a MONSTER! I’d love to decimate on the road/track with this thing.

[@erikbritz8095]

*Were $6700 extra into our 944 but right now it is the best condition Porsche 944 in our country so that extra cash is nothing*

[@hkwan]

What a gorgeous and unique machine! I had a 944 S2 Cab for a few years and the feel of those cars are so distinct. The chassis, even in cab form, was stable and predictable. A totally sorted out 944 Turbo must be a joy to drive. Well done!

[@Gozar111]

I have a beautiful white 944 Turbo. Love it and will never sell it. Hi from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@BadBrad61169]

I also have a 89 turbo lol. finally have some creative inspiration thank you for this !

[@idokwatcher2062]

Respect to the original owner that spent $115K building a stroker. All you did is paint it.

[@mg_streetkandi]

I need to drive to Raleigh and see this car at a show...🏁👍

[@nachodestructor1]

Does anybody knows how to contact Steve Bastian? The protagonist of this video, owner of that car?

[@jerrygoldstein3028]

Kids dont always dig what their dad is into. Often times as a sign of rebellion they stray away from the "family business" in hope of doing something unique and different. The moment his kids get their hands on the title to that car, it will be sold for less than 25k.

[@back2nick]

You sound like a sad bitter old man

[@med8tor1]

Take the 2 out. Leave the 5. 😅

[@wheelbasscheen]

hey everyone. just wanted to give an update on this 944 in particular. we are selling this one now to someone who is also a porsche lover so it will be in great hands. my father has a lot of cars now and the 944 was not being driven enough to keep it in our minds. smith still owns and drives his own convertible 944 that he loves and drives constantly, we will always love the 944 :) we still have numerous pictures and videos of this vehicle so let me know if anyone wants to know any specifics of this 944

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for the update!

[@928pcar]

Dude adds up repair bills and labels his car worth that much 😂 what a joke

[@stanthorne6887]

Great video. Makes me miss my '88 951.

[@bjrnrs]

Great car. And great choice of a Transaxle Porsche. Love my S2

[@rbarnard264]

Nothing like back roads in North Carolina! Awesome car!

[@sebastianm.8383]

most probably the nicest and cleanest 944 on this planet.....

[@pauldavies8638]

Where did you get the replacement headlights from I want a set for mine

[@OGloc_SA]

Awesome video, awesome car, awesome build. One of my favorite videos on YT

[@pruett89]

This guy is awesome, so chill and his draw is amazing. He just loves this bad ass car and I love the story and passion

[@wheelbasscheen]

thank you for this comment :) i will let him know the love for his creation

[@howtoknight]

@@wheelbasscheen Hello, I just came across this beautifully built 951 and it seems you are somehow in contact with its owner :) Could you ask him which Headlights these are and where I could get them? I'm in love with the angeleyes yet retro full glow of them! Best wishes from Germany

[@wheelbasscheen]

@@howtoknight I asked him for you and he said he cannot remember specifically but will check his records to see if he can find the name. He knows for sure he found them on eBay. I will absolutely let you know whenever I find out!

[@howtoknight]

@@wheelbasscheen Thank you so much, I didn't think you would respond so quickly, haha No stress on finding them though, I've got time :D

[@obeb787]

Nice car to keep the rest of your life! But 200k? Fuck!

[@ftnppg1272]

Maintenance is most of that...not necessarily a good thing.

[@DaniDani-dl6iw]

Beatiful well done car!

[@edwinthomas618]

The red headed step child that grows up and you want to marry

[@Ghost-fh5mz]

Anyone know where the headlights are from?

[@sassall4284]

This is lovely

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Glad you enjoyed it. Be sure to subscribe!

[@hitlersmissingtesticle69]

The 944 is one of the only cars that makes me want to sell my 2020 mustang gt to build one😩

[@jessekerlin6725]

I need to know what rims those are, it’s an emergency

[@Cam-pe3nd]

Anyone know the wheel setup here? It's perfect.

[@volksbugly]

What are the wheel/tire specs and what wheel model is it?

[@edwardjohnson5331]

What no V8? Thank Heavens. Very nice !

[@RealRavi]

I miss my champagne 1983 944😢

[@bentyson2431]

Great vid - keep em coming !

[@SimonatMac]

I ve owned my s2 for more than 20 years now. 465.000 km without major problems, still first engine NOT rebuild, these cars are meant to last.

[@smacdiesel]

Keep it stock and save a lot of money.

[@alpinecenter]

I had a 1986 944 Turbo, guards red. The car was sold and prepared by Vasek Polak Porsche in Manhattan Beach, CA. It was upgraded to Turbo Cup specs including the K26/8 turbocharger, larger injectors, and electronic ignition. Along with cup suspension and wider tires, it was fast and lots of fun.

[@RobertZampardi]

Steve, great car, glad we were a part of it enjoy the sMILES

[@stevebastian7519]

Rob: Always enjoy seeing you and the crew at DC Automotive in Rocky Mount NC. As you know, there are a lot more parts on this 944 Turbo that were sourced from your company.

[@micahhurst8986]

I own a 1982 931 Turbo. I love it! Currently in a slow restoration. Sweet Turbo Brother! How much boost are you running?

[@ASocea]

Is the transmission original ?

[@jacobwolfe5568]

I would flip if I saw this beauty. My 944 is half orange right now. The other half is the factory silver. My fuchs are dirty, dash is cracked, it needs cleaned and reupholstered. Can’t wait to put $200k in mine.

[@thedrunkninja12]

If Rick Grimes was a car guy

[@tocatoast861]

A Beautiful car, just the right amount of changes to make it unique but still remains that porsche original feel to it. I also have a 944, bone stock almost, but I would love to do something like this some day.

[@matts_.4494]

The Porsche 944 is a great car. The front engine, rear transaxle design was brilliant. The styling is timeless. And of course you can go to the Porsche parts bin to upgrade. It was a car well ahead of its time, unfortunately it is now 30 years old and moving into a realm where only the rich can afford it. Much as I would like to have one I probably will have to be looking at something like the Toyota 86 or an MR2

[@davidcampos268]

2 million dollar 914 next

[@Covkiller]

I've just bought my own 1986 Turbo and I'm in the process of restoring it. Great to watch your video as a goal to achieve one day.

[@EuroRastaMotorsports]

My Friend and I just brought one and going to be doing a full track/ drift build follow the channel & #EuroSpecGarage ...That car is so perfect and motivational would love to meet you and those guys also from New Jersey !!

[@valoriekohoutek8262]

are those stock size tires?

[@paulthomas4166]

Looks gorgeous, is the gauge cluster original? The later models here in Australia have an average looking perspex integrated gauge cluster, this one looks fantastic with individual chrome dials. Does anyone know where to source the same gauges from?