The Porsche 911 is perhaps the most significant dynasty in motoring history, the roots of the rear-engined and air-cooled formula stretching way back to Ferdinand Porsche’s endeavours with the original ‘people’s car’ back in the 1930s, and the legacy continuing into the showrooms today. The 911 era we’re considering here, the one designated ‘993’, represents something of a turning point in the model line’s very essence: this generation, built from 1994-98, was the last to feature an air-cooled engine. It was all-change when the water-cooled 996 arrived to replace it, and for many enthusiasts the 993 is the most desirable of the lot – not just for the end-of-an-era definition, but for the fact that it was a magnificent evolution of the formula in its own right. Whereas its predecessor, the 964, carried over much of the classic 911s in its architecture, the 993 was largely a clean-sheet design. An all-new multi-link suspension setup mated to a light-alloy subframe meant that the car was more civilised and the handling more predictable, while the flat-six motor benefitted from the VarioRam system to improve low-end torque. The body design worked around the 964’s hard points but entirely reworked the silhouette, with more pronounced wheel arches, revised integrated bumpers, teardrop mirrors and a large retractable rear wing.
A large number of variants were offered, including rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts, Targa, Cabriolet and Turbo versions and much more besides. The car we have here is arguably the sweet spot of the range: the Carrera models were the lightest of the bunch, with the 3.6-litre M64 engine having just 1,400kg or so to shove down the road in this Carrera 4 guise. The all-wheel-drive model benefits from an Automatic Braking Differential system, and the setup was markedly lighter than that in the outgoing 964 Carrera 4. Every individual improvement leads up to a big difference, and the 993 Carrera 4 is widely regarded as a connoisseur’s choice. And this particular C4 looks like a very good buy indeed…dsc_6853_50668111932_o.jpg3.15 MB
The History
It’s always preferable to buy a classic car from somebody who knows what they’re talking about, as you can be sure that the car has been correctly maintained, serviced, driven, and generally looked after. In the case of this 993, peace of mind is absolutely assured, by virtue of the fact that the current owner – a Porsche Club member – a dedicated Porsche enthusiast who has owned many Porsches over the years. You can’t buy this sort of ingrained knowledge, it’s hard-earned.
This 993 has been in his possession for three years, having traded in a 996 Turbo which he’d owned for a decade. (The 993’s previous owner had had it since 2008.) It’s got an excellent history with a nice thick pile of documentation, and crucially the car is HPI clear – not always a given with 993s on the market today. The car has been properly looked after and enjoyed as it should be, including the odd holiday road trip, and it’s proven to be a trusty and reliable companion – as well as a thoroughly enjoyable one! The only reason for sale now is that, as befits a 911 enthusiast of this nature, there’s another one incoming: a 997 Cabriolet is on the way, so the 993 needs to go to a new home that will love and cherish it as it always has been. dsc_6818_50668037191_o.jpg2.21 MB
The Paperwork
As well as the HPI certificate and two keys, we find a full set of original Porsche books and manuals in the file. The service book is fully stamped, with the first five services taken care of by Porsche dealer AFN, and each subsequent service carried out by Porsche specialists including Paragon and Design 911; the most recent, at 118,121 miles, was done by Ray Northway in August 2020. Previous services prior to this were carried out by Peter Tognolia in April 2018 at 115,817 miles, and then by Cridfords at 114,600 miles - which included Plugs, Belts, Gaskets and Brake Pads.
The correct brake fluid changes and status reports are fully stamped too. There’s also a thick sheaf of invoices and receipts, including one from November 2018 detailing a new clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder at a cost of £546, and one from August of this year for brake pads, assorted gaiters and boots, anti-vibration dampers and a front screen seal. There are many further receipts stretching back through the car’s history, keenly demonstrating how fastidiously the 993 has been maintained. dsc_6711_50667305483_o.jpg6.33 MB
The Interior
The 993 has a superbly focused interior, beautifully packaged for sporting driving as well as grand touring; indeed, if you’ve got a couple of very small friends there’s even room for them in the back! This Carrera 4 comes fitted with the optional hard-back seats, which are supremely supportive and free from any wear beyond the expected light patination of a car of this age. The seats tilt forward as they should, and they’re also electrically adjustable, all of which is working.
Everything in the interior is completely standard-spec, except for the addition of an aftermarket Sony CD/radio head unit. All of the gauges are working correctly, as is every single switch and button. The car is fitted with a factory sunroof, which is in good working order and well-sealed with no leaks. The owner has advised us that although the air-conditioning is working, but only on the booster fan setting.
The carpets, headlining and door cards are all in great condition, and inside the front boot we find everything dry and correct. Gummed inside the bootlid is the original factory sticker outlining the option codes, proving the originality of the spec.dsc_6795_50668114157_o.jpg2.83 MB
The Exterior
The bodywork of this car is beautifully presented, testament to having been so lovingly looked after by its current and previous owners. Indeed, the fact that the seller can point out every specific imperfection shows just how little there is to be concerned with here: there’s a small stone-chip in one of the front lamp lenses, another on the bonnet, some very minor crazing around the nearside headlamp washer’s base, and a little crazing on the rear bumper where it has presumably been very lightly knocked in a car park or similar; something that a simple smart repair would most likely remedy. The overall presentation, however, is simply wonderful – as the photos demonstrate, it looks great and there’s not a bad angle to be found.
The paintwork gleams beautifully in the sun, and all of the correct trim pieces and badges are in place. The window glass is all in excellent condition with good rubbers, there are uniform panel gaps throughout, and the wheels are all in superb unmarked condition with the correct centre caps. The tyres are quality Falkens which have done fewer than 1,000 miles. The car appears to be very solid underneath, with no evidence of visible corrosion or accident damage. Everything straight and true, just as it should be.dsc_6746_50668118882_o.jpg5.32 MB
The Mechanicals
The VarioRam-equiped M64 is a trusty and dependable thing, offering a pleasingly Jekyll-and-Hyde character which is both smooth and tractable when cruising and around town, and amusingly hedonistic when you open the taps. The history with this car proves that it’s always been serviced correctly and at the appropriate times, and this is evident in the manner in which it behaves today: the venerable flat-six fires up without drama, idles quietly and evenly, and behaves impeccably. It pulls strongly through the gears and performs exactly as a 993 should. The gearbox is excellent, shifting with slickness and precision, and the owner reports no issues at all with the suspension, steering or brakes. The car recently benefited from new rear brake pads, and the owner has been regularly using and enjoying the car with the sort of everyday reliability you’d hope for. It’s a car which has always been correctly maintained, and as such it’s an entertaining performance machine without compromise – no mechanical to-do list at all, simply ready to be enjoyed.
There’s a reason why so many 911 enthusiasts stay so brand-loyal. And it’s not just a case of falling in love; this is a decision arrived at via the head as much as the heart. The quirkiness of the rear-engined platform, the sonorous air-cooled flat-six, the widescreen array of dials, it all adds character to the formula, and these machines are engineered to handle with verve and vivacity. What really completes the package, however, is how the 911 makes it look so darned easy – there’s no hissy-fits when trying to start on cold mornings, no oozing coagulations of fluids on the driveway, no rattly interior trim; these are well-built cars designed for reliable and regular use, which also happen to be hilariously entertaining sports cars.
For many, the 993 is the one to have for the way it looks and the manner in which it’s engineered as much as the zeitgeist-capturing nature of its air-cooled swan-song. And 993s don’t come a lot more alluring than this Carrera 4: solid and provable history, superb running order, owned by enthusiasts, it ticks all of the boxes. A true polymath, and a superb example of the breed.
** Please note that the vehicle currently sits on a private registration, which is not the plate shown in the pictures. **
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
