Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cabriolet
Estimate
£14, 000 - £18, 000
Registration No: AJ02 ZKD
Chassis No: WP0ZZZ99ZZ56444587
MOT: July 2024
Desirable 'Gen 2' 3. 6 litre example
Only four former keepers from new
Full service history from new documented in extensive history file with full original book pack
Recently subject to much recent expenditure for a full borescope check and IMS Bearing change, plus a new steering rack, discs and pads, rear shocks and OEM exhausts
Specified in the incredibly rare Porsche Exclusive colours of Cobalt Blue over a Light Blue Interior
Asked to nominate his favourite generation of Porsche 911 during its 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2013, racing driver and journalist Tiff Needell chose the 996 commenting: "This was the model that brought the 911 into the modern world. We finally got rid of the VW pedals and had a chassis that handled in a much more progressive and controllable manner. Not a convert before, completely converted after!" Traditionalists may have decried the 996's water-cooled engine and shared Boxster componentry, however, the newcomer's use of a brand-new platform (the 911's first since 1963) meant that it was notably lighter, stiffer, and more aerodynamic than its 993 predecessor. Equipped with four-valve cylinder heads, the 996's 3. 4-litre engine developed 296bhp and 258lbft (outputs comparable to those of the 993 Carrera RS's 3. 8-litre unit). Allied to either a six-speed manual or five-speed Tiptronic transmission, the free-revving flat-six enabled the 2+2-seater to sprint to 60mph in 5 seconds and onto 174mph. More ergonomically laid out and spacious than that of any previous 911, the 996's cabin also boasted a far better HVAC system. Model year 2002 saw a major upgrade to Carrera 2 and 4 with a 'facelift' to include the Turbo's 'teardrop' headlamps, glovebox, sports steering wheel, and the larger 320bhp 3. 6-litre engine (featuring Variocam Plus variable valve timing and opening technology).
First registered on the 11th July 2002, ‘AJ02 ZKD’ was specified through the Porsche Exclusive programme in the rare colour scheme of Cobalt Blue over a Light Blue extended leather interior and was specified with such luxuries as heated ‘memory’ adjusting front seats, Tiptronic gearbox, Sat-Nav, air-conditioning and dark burr maple trim. Externally, the car came with a body-coloured matching hardtop and rides upon 18” Porsche Sport Classic alloy wheels.
Purchased by the vendor in 2014, there are four previous keepers recorded, with the previous owner having been the custodian since 2009. The history file records seven Porsche main dealer services and five Porsche specialist services, with the latest recorded in August 2021 at 118, 222 miles. Furthermore, the car has been subject to much further work as recorded by several invoices within the history folder, including an IMS and RMS bearing change plus more recent works for new rear shock absorbers, reconditioned steering rack, new brake discs and pads, an oil service in 2023 and a new stainless-steel exhaust. The vendor now rates the 911 mechanically as in ‘very good to excellent’ fettle. The bodywork has also been equally well cherished, and the vendor also rates this as ‘very good for the age of the car’ and ‘feels all round to have covered far less than its currently indicated 124, 000 miles’.
A genuinely delightful soft-top Porsche, ‘AJ02 ZKD’ is offered to market as the vendor has in his own words ‘simply not been using the car to its full potential’. Representing excellent value compared with some of its newer 911 siblings and given its specification is arguably far more interesting.
