Introduced in 1993 for the 1994 model year and in time for the 911’s 30th anniversary, the 993 would be the very last of the air-cooled Porsches before the company moved on to the water-cooled 996 for the New Millenium, a step that nobody would have expected a generation earlier and one that frustrated Porsche-philes. It was a hugely important car for Porsche that came at a formative, turbulent time. By the mid-1990s, the front-engined cars were all gone and there was a brief time – the 1996 model year – that the Boxster hadn’t arrived yet and the 993 was the only model in Porsche’s lineup.
The 993 replaced the 1989-94 version of the 911 called the 964. The 964, despite its strengths and improvements over the classic 911, was both heavier and more expensive to build than its predecessor. It also received criticism for its rear suspension, which was mounted to the body and juddered noisily under hard acceleration. Porsche even considered dropping the 911 model altogether during the 964’s production run. After putting together a 20-page paper in 1990 that defined what exactly a Porsche was, however, the company bigwigs decided that the 911 was indispensible and actually the backbone of the company. Work on an all-new car commenced.
As for styling, it was an all-new look while still unmistakably 911. Styled by Englishman Tony Hatter, it had wide, muscular bulges in all the right places, and the lower front fenders meant that it was the first 911 in which the drivers couldn’t see them from the cockpit. The body had a drag coefficient of 0.33, and while this was technically less aerodynamic than the 964, it also reduced lift at speed.
As for power, Porsche stuck with the tried and true and set about further improving the 964’s flat-six. Porsche redesigned the bottom end, added hydraulic self adjusting valve clearance and completely redesigned the exhaust.
Front brakes were also enlarged, a limited-slip differential was optional, and overall the 993 was 20 percent torsionally stiffer than the 964. Because the all-wheel drive 964 had made up about 20 percent of orders, the system was further improved in the 993, and the Carrera 4 system only added 100 pounds to a two-wheel drive version.
Reception for the 993, which was admirably priced cheaper than its predecessor, was immediate and enthusiastic. Motor Sport succinctly proclaimed “this is by far the best 911 so far” and Car and Driver remarked that “this is the first 911 that’s truly chuckable, and you would have to do something stupid to get into trouble…all the involving intricacies of the chassis’s personality are still there to be savored.”
The very last air-cooled 911 was a 1998 Mexico Blue Carrera 4S that was sold to Jerry Seinfeld, and it marked the end of an era. Porsche had built 410,348 air-cooled 911s before moving on to the somewhat unloved water-cooled 996.
The 993 is collectible for a lot of reasons. It’s not just that it’s the last air-cooled car. It’s the blend of classic 911 looks, heritage and sound with modern technology and conveniences. Many consider it to be the best looking of all 911s as well, and it’s certainly one of the most rewarding cars to drive, even if some of the newer 911s are quicker.
993s are mostly without the potentially catastrophic faults of some later Porsches. These are solidly built cars aided further by the fact that they aren’t yet old enough to have suffered severe neglect.
This example was delivered to a Doctor in Hamburg, Germany, who ordered the car with a lot of options and in a special order paint-to-sample Ragusa Green color, an Audi color, that was used for the RS2 model built by Porsche in Zuffenhausen. The car then spent some time with two UK owners, travelling between UK and Germany. The car has a full service history, serviced every year. A real daily driver with 370.000 kms on the clock. All original, only the clutch was changed. Special features are a Porsche Classic radio and a Dansk exhaust system.
This car is up for sale for the second time on our auction platform, you can see the previous result here.
Production date | 04.07.1996 |
---|---|
Body Type | Coupe |
Engine | 3.600 ccm, 286 PS, flat-6 |
transmission | Manual |
Steering | Left Hand Drive |
---|---|
Layout | All Wheel Drive |
Color - exterior | Ragusa Green |
Color - interior | Dark Grey leather |
Miles/Kilometers shown | 370.356 kms |
---|---|
Chassis / VIN | WP0ZZZ99ZTS316396 |
Location - Country | Czech Rep. |
Location - City | Kutna Hora |
2-door coupe body type; 4x4 full-time (all-wheel drive permanent, variable torque split with visco), manual 6-speed gearbox; gasoline (petrol) engine with displacement: 3600 cm3, advertised power: 210 kW / 282 hp / 286 PS ( ECE ), torque: 340 Nm; characteristic dimensions: outside length: 4245 mm, width: 1735 mm, wheelbase: 2272 mm; reference weights: base curb weight: 1420 kg; top speed: 275 km/h (declared by factory); accelerations: 0-60 mph 5 s, 0-100 km/h 5.3 s (declared by factory)
What are the next investments you have to do. Please answer the question regarding the motor revision
fs.101
The complete history of the car is known without any reported accidents and even from a complete inspection there are no signs of any accidents. There is only a slightly bent front bumper and a cracked left front turn signal. Also the measurement of the paint does not suggest any accidents, although most of the car was repainted in the past (no surprise given the mileage), but the values of 300 to 500 microns are common for a repaint without any accidents. You are welcome...
Henry the Second (SELLER)
Is the car 100% accident free? What kind of paint work has been done? Thank you best regards?
lindau-sebastian.238
Hello, the information in Autobild was not absolutely exact, I own the car already for almost 5 years. This is a re-list after the vehicle was previously sold. The winning bidder paid only a deposit, but failed to follow through with the commitment to purchase. So I am offering the car again for sale. The last complete check at Porsche Service was a year ago in December 2020 and a technical check for a new "MoT/TÜV" was made last month in November 2021.
Henry the Second (SELLER)
Why are you selling this car...you bought it this year in May... How is the engine. When was the engine revision
fs.101
Písek, CZ
Písek, CZ
Písek, CZ
Písek, CZ
Písek, CZ
Písek, CZ
The last full engine check was carried out in August 2019 at a Porsche workshop in Germany, but only the A/C compressor was replaced. A minor check was carried out this year before the MOT. The only findings were a minor oil leak and a recommendation to have the engine resealed in the future, but nothing urgent. The risk of rust under the dashboard was checked, however the rust was superficial and the only rusting was at the wipers, whose rods and motor were replaced. This is a daily driver so everything is continually being put right.
Henry the Second (SELLER)