(1989 – 1991) Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet – Ultimate Guide
In 1989, Porsche introduced the 944 S2 Cabriolet, the first 944 to feature a convertible body style. The contract to build Porsche’s 944 S2 Cabriolet was awarded to ASC (American Sunroof Company) in Weinsberg, Germany. The S2 Cabriolet was a very complicated build, where 944 coupe bodies were taken off the assembly line at Neckarsulm, Germany and then delivered to ASC in Weinsberg, Germany.
At ASC, reinforcement plates are welded in the front end of the car and floor plate area to give the body the amount of torsional strength and crash safety required for the convertible. After welding in these reinforcement plates, cuts are made in the body at the windshield frame, B pillars, rear side panels and tail panel, in preparation for coupe top removal. New parts to support the convertible top and the new rear deck lid are also welded in place. Then the new Cabriolet body was sent back to Neckarsulm, where it is run through the standard production paint shop and assembly line for drive train install.
Consequently the structure of the paint finish and other corrosion inhibiting measures conform with the quality standards for Porsche and its new Cabriolet. The assembled Cabriolet was then sent back to ASC in Weinsberg for convertible top and trim installation. With production not starting until May of 1989, only 16 of the 944 S2 Cabriolets were produced for the U.S. market.
For the 1990 model year, Porsche produced 3,938 cars for all markets including right-hand drive units for the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. The share for the U.S. market in 1990 increased to 1824 units and followed with 561 units for 1991, which was the final year of production for the 944 S2 Cabriolet.
