James May is about to part ways with a ride that’s been his trusty steed for 15 years. The beloved motoring personality is tossing his 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera S into the auction ring on Collecting Cars, offering gearheads a shot at snagging a piece of water-cooled 911 royalty—with a dash of BBC stardust sprinkled on top. Celebrity provenance doesn’t always move the needle, but the 997.2-gen 911? It’s already a legend in its own right.
Porsche rolled out this facelift for 2009, packing in upgrades that made the earlier 997 look downright quaint. Gone was the dodgy intermediate shaft, replaced by the bulletproof 9A1 flat-six. In May’s Carrera S, the 3.8-liter version pumps out 380 ponies, mated to a manual gearbox—a combo that’s pure catnip for collectors. “Essential,” they’d say, if you’re betting on long-term appeal.
When May spec’d this beast, he didn’t just tick the basic boxes. Wrapped in Carrera White with an Ocean Blue interior, it’s got those devil-in-the-details touches: a sleek “911” badge instead of the clunkier stock lettering, an optional rear wiper (because rain happens), and a Bose stereo to drown out the haters. Outside, lightweight five-spoke Carrera Classic wheels sit pretty, while Porsche Exclusive spacers give it a meaner stance. Oh, and there’s a limited-slip diff—because sideways is the best way.
Mileage? A hair over 31,000, but the service records tell a richer tale. A finicky starter in 2014 led to a clutch pedal switch swap, then a starter relay. More recently, it got the full spa treatment: new AC dryer, fresh cooling pipes, and a deactivated alarm immobilizer. Typical stuff for a 15-year-old thoroughbred, but good to know if you’re eyeing the gavel.
Here’s the kicker for Yanks: thanks to NHTSA red tape, this 2010 model can’t legally cross the pond yet. Stateside buyers will need patience. Still, for May, it’s the end of an era. Most telly hosts swap cars like socks, but he clung to this 997.2 like it was family. And honestly? Can you blame him?
Via Collecting Cars
About the Author
