Introduced in 1994, the Porsche 911, Type 993, was the last of the air-cooled 911 line and as such will always hold a special place in the heart and minds of Porsche 911 fans. What followed (the Porsche 996) was very much a revolution.
The 993, by contrast, was more evolution, but even so it was quite a significant one, over the 964 model 911, which it replaced. For the first time the basic shape of the 911 was changed, the front end, wider and flatter, mirroring its 928 and 968 contemporaries (albeit without the pop-up headlamps) for a more ‘family’ look. The rear end took on a wider stance, with bulging rear arches, even on the narrow-bodied Carrera 2. The basic 911 silhouette was still unmistakeable, but with a modern twist.
Mechanically the 993 retained the 3.6-litre engine, but with detail changes, that raised power to 272bhp and then 285bhp, with the arrival of the Varioram induction system. Click here to see our take on the great Varioram v non-Varioram debate.
A new six-speed gearbox offered a greater range of ratios, and an all-new multi-link rear suspension set-up offered greater control of the rear-engined mass. The front suspension remained much as the 964.
As with previous 911 generations, the 993 was available in varying configurations and body styles from Coupe, Targa and Cabriolet to Turbo and of course the racey RS and GT models. Never has a sports car been quite so versatile.
Open Season
And versatile is exactly what we have here. Hardcore 911 fans might dismiss the Cabriolet, but have they ever driven one? Probably not. Indeed, to drive any Cabriolet 911 is some of a ‘penny dropping’ moment as in, this is surely what a sports car is all about: roof down, wind in the hair motoring? And this 993 Carrera 4 Cabriolet is really quite special.
Delivered in March 1998 to Porsche Cars Great Britain Ltd, Reading, this is one of the very last 993s built and the very last 993 Cabriolets available in the UK, according to dealer correspondence. Also included in the extensive file of paperwork is the original bill of sale, plus options showing an ‘on the road’ price of £79,255! And of course, in 1998 the 996 was already on stream, making this a very rare period when it was possible to buy a new air-cooled 911 as well as a new water-cooled 911 side-by-side. And now, 28-years later, this particular example has covered just 19,800 miles.
And it gets better. Finished in popular Arctic Silver, with a special-order Boxster Red and black interior, this is a rare six-speed manual example, for maximum driver interaction. And of course, being a late model 993, it also features the sought after 285bhp Varioram engine too. That’s a lot of boxes ticked. And there’s more: lowered sports suspension and air-conditioning also feature. Air con in a Cab? Air con in anything is well worth having in these increasingly heated times, and it just adds to this 993’s versatility. And talking of options, more recently a period correct looking Blaupunkt Bremen DAB radio head unit has been fitted.
With just two previous owners, as you would expect, this 993 is in exceptional condition and is backed up by a fully stamped service book, with all work having been carried out by Official Porsche Centres and latterly by respected specialist Williams Crawford, in Saltash, Devon, this 993 having spent the majority of its life in the South West.
And as you would expect, given its low mileage, servicing and maintenance has been largely routine over the years. In short, it is in exceptional mechanical condition. Likewise, the overall condition of the paintwork and interior is flawless and, as is the all-important fabric hood, which being powered operates exactly as it should.
On The Road
A quick anecdote here. Here at Paul Stephens we recently supplied four 993s for a group test in Porsche Post, the Porsche Club GB magazine. In Coupe, Targa and Cabriolet, plus varying transmissions and two wheel and four-wheel drive, it’s fair to say that manual Cabriolet was the surprise hit amongst the journos more used to hardcore coupes, and it wasn’t even a Varioram! Safe to say, had we fielded this example, then it might have wiped the floor! Oh, and here’s a fun fact: Mr Porsche GT himself – one Andreas Preuninger – is a 993 Cabriolet owner… Enough said!
There is something absolutely life affirming about roof down motoring and its even better with a flat-six soundtrack, and a manual gearbox, with which to fully control the action. And Porsche spent a lot of time and effort stiffening up the bodyshell on the 993 Cabriolet and it shows with barely a creak or shimmy, even on our rough roads. Talking of which, even with Sports suspension, the 993 rides well.
All the controls operate as they should, the steering is sublime, the clutch and gearbox work together in in well-oiled harmony and the four-wheel drive system is largely unobtrusive, and there if you should ever need some extreme traction.
In Summery
Is there really anything else to say? This 993 Carrera 4 Cabriolet shouts out for itself in terms of late-model rarity, specification, mileage and condition. Summer is just around the corner and what finer way to enjoy it?
