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1996 PORSCHE 911 (993) TURBO

This 1996 Porsche 993 Turbo is a very impressive example of the last air-cooled and last hand-built 911 model, presented with outstanding service history. It is powered by the 3.6-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine producing 402bhp, with all-wheel drive via a six-speed manual gearbox. The odometer shows just 49,775 miles from new.

Delivered via AFN Porsche in London on 29 February 1996, this 993 Turbo was specified with Arena Red paintwork, complemented by a two-tone interior of Midnight Blue and Grey. Its factory-fitted features include soft ‘ruffled’ leather finishes to the seat centre panels, a power sunroof, high-level stop lamp, top-tinted windscreen, rear wiper, and the Nokia digital surround-sound system. There are four previous registered keepers on the log book, and the current owner acquired the car around five years ago, covering some 8,000 miles since then.

The bodywork of this 993 is described as being in excellent condition, with no accident damage or dents in any of the panels. The seller states that there are only a handful of stone chips around the entire car, though there is a visible patch of lacquer missing on the offside front bumper from storage. There are also some imperfections along the edge of the driver’s door, as well as around its key lock.

There is a Porsche Lifetime Guarantee of Repair note in the history file, which seems to be in relation to repainting of the bonnet and front bumper in 2006 to rectify stone chips. The seller also had a thumbnail-size area of common corrosion in the scuttle panel removed, repaired and repainted in 2017. It rides on the original 18-inch alloys, which present very well, with only a few minor chips in the paint and some lacquer bubbling on the nearside rear wheel, but no kerbing marks whatsoever.

In the cabin, a full leather trim package is present - including the headlining and dashboard - and the blue and grey upholstery is all original. In general, it is in very good condition for its age, though there is some prominent wear and discolouration on the driver’s seat bolsters. It could of course be left as-is, but a professional re-connolising treatment would improve the appearance relatively easily. The leather headlining is in very good order.

Factory-fitted equipment includes electrically adjustable hard-backed Sport seats and climate control, and there is also a Becker Grand Prix head unit. All of the switchgear works as it should, and there are no known electrical faults. At the front of the car, the boot lining is in good order, and the tool roll and space-saver spare wheel are present.

The car’s maintenance history is very impressive, with 19 stamps in the service record booklet, and a raft of old receipts. There are invoices totalling some £35,300 on file that go back to 2001, and in the last five years alone more than £12,000 has been spent on keeping this car in fine fettle.

The last scheduled maintenance was carried out in June 2019 at 48,939 miles by Porsche specialist Fearnsport. This consisted of a full service with renewal of the engine and gearbox oils, the oil, air, fuel and pollen filters, a fresh set of spark plugs, and new boost pressure hoses. Prior to this, it was also seen by Fearnsport in 2018 at 46,215 miles for yearly maintenance.

The service in 2017 took place at 44,303 miles, and during this maintenance Fearnsport also renewed the brake fluid. During that year, a new rocker cover gasket and seal was fitted, and the brake calipers were all stripped and refurbished. Major work was carried out during 2015, which included renewal of the fan belt, alternator belt, and air-conditioning compressor belt, as well as replacement of the clutch. The exhaust system and silencers were put back to factory specification, and the anti-roll bar drop links were replaced. The turbochargers were refurbished at 37,777 miles.

The most recent MOT test was on 13 June 2019 at 48,931 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories whatsoever. In fact, its outstanding MOT history is a testament to the care and attention of previous owners, with only four tester notes in the last 13 years. The wheels are shod in a set of N4-rated Pirelli P Zero Rosso tyres in size 225/40 ZR18 at the front and 285/30 ZR18 at the rear. They are date-coded to 2016, with around 5mm of tread at the front and 2-2.5mm at the rear.

Peter Morgan’s guide to the 993 model calls this variant “the most accomplished air cooled 911 Turbo of them all”, adding, “It can be as docile as a Carrera in town and stunningly quick point to point”. This particular example also benefits from being fitted with a PA2000 Thatcham Category 1 immobiliser, and two original keys and fobs are present.

This Porsche 993 Turbo is a cherished, low-mileage example of a coveted 911, presented in superb mechanical condition throughout. While there are a few cosmetic jobs that the next owner could address if they wish, this car presents very well indeed, and would be a credit to any collection. With excellent maintenance history from new, this 911 drives superbly, and is ready to thrill on the road with its addictive analogue performance.

Summary of service history: