James’s Porsche Boxster S ‘986 facelift’ (2003)

In the mid 90’s, after years of extreme financial difficulty, Porsche were on a mission to reinvent themselves. Part of that plan involved releasing their first ‘purpose-built’ roadster since the infamous 550 Spyder (thanks mostly to a certain James Dean).

The first generation Boxster (or 986 as it is less excitingly known) was a huge hit for Porsche and until the Cayenne stole its thunder, was their best selling car by a long margin. Despite the fact some 911 die-hards turn their nose up at the Boxster, its mere existence is a large part of what has enabled Porsche to do such incredible things with the 911 over the past 20 years.

The Owner: James, Age 36, Lives in Bolton, UK

Check out James’s instagram for more pictures.

Owner Profile

The 986 Boxster (like most Porsches) was released over two phases. The pre-facelift car was available originally with a 2.5 litre flat-six which, with just 200bhp, admittedly lacked the power to justify the badge. Thankfully this was soon upgraded to a more torquey 2.7 litre engine on base models, and a 250bhp 3.2 litre lump for the Boxster S.

In 2003 the facelift model arrived with some much needed aesthetic upgrades (the previous design had dated very quickly). Amber turn signals were replaced with clear ones, the bumpers were re-sculpted giving the car a more muscular, purposeful appearance, and the plastic rear screen, which had always let the car down, was replaced with glass.

By 2006, ten years after the first one rolled off the production line, Porsche had sold no less than 200,000 Boxsters. This was a real testament to the success of a car that, considering Porsche’s financial circumstances at the time… HAD to succeed.

We’ve often argued that the first generation Boxster is a car crying out to be modified. The shape itself has all the right ingredients, but in standard form, is just let down by looking a bit, well… 90’s! James clearly gets this. He’s recognised that with the Boxster, there is a really classic shape, and a thoroughly capable car. A set of nice wheels, a touch of lowering… and you get something that looks like this! Hats off to you James.