Of all the generations of the Porsche 911, it is the 993 produced between 1994 and 1998 that many enthusiasts would consider their favourite. This incarnation, the last to be air-cooled, came right after the 964 in the model’s timeline, and brought a host of notable innovations. As the German manufacturer says, the 993 “It was a major breakthrough, not only from a technical perspective, but also visually.”
Gone are the prominent bumpers first introduced on the G 911 series in 1973, giving way to a sexier, more streamlined silhouette. The fabulous 993 also featured wider, flatter fender flares at both ends, but the most significant improvements came on the mechanical side of things, under the car’s redesigned bodywork.
The brilliant minds at Porsche devised an all-new aluminum chassis for greater rigidity and reduced weight. On the other hand, they improved the handling stability of the flagship by increasing the track width and giving it a multi-link suspension arrangement at the rear. This setup managed to tame the 911’s tendency towards take-off oversteer, making for a more predictable and confident driving experience.
Under the hood, the P car had a refined version of the previous 964’s 3.6-liter M64 engine, and a six-speed manual gearbox became standard equipment (eventually). With variable-length intake runners, the air-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine was tuned to a very respectable 268 hp in its base configuration, feeding that growl to a rear- or all-wheel drive system.
An optional four-speed Tiptronic automatic was also offered on RWD variants, while the sportier 911 Carrera RS received a larger 3.8-liter mill with forged pistons, dual oil coolers and around ten percent more power on tap. When the 1996 model year rolled around, the Targa body style returned after a brief hiatus, with a power sliding glass roof replacing the removable hardtop of its predecessors.
Then there were the narrow special editions during the 993’s production run, like the ultra-rare GT2 homologation special of 1995. Only 200 copies have been assembled by Porsche, and each one has the potential to fetch more than $500,000 at auction in our day and age. But of course, what we’re here to talk about is the Turbo version, which remains a highly desirable cult classic despite not being as rare or new as the aforementioned GT2.
Compared to the previous force-fed 964, this updated beast benefited AWD and two turbochargers instead of one. Its flat-six powerhouse could generate up to 408 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 398 pound-feet (540 Nm) of torque at around 4,500 rpm. This force gave the 911 Turbo a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h) and 4.5 seconds would be enough to go from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h).
As you can probably imagine, not everyone was happy about the lack of a rear-wheel drive option, which had only appeared on the rarer and more powerful Turbo S in 1997. However, this lack does not change the fact that Porsche’s all-wheel drive – the 911 Turbo alone was a force to be reckoned with! So let’s go ahead and talk more specifically about the ’96 MY example shown in this article’s photo gallery.
The coupe shows approximately 55,000 miles (88,500 km) on its six-digit analog odometer and rolls on 18-inch-diameter Turbo Spin-style wheels. On the rims, the alloy wheels wear a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires, their dimensions are 225/40 at the front and 285/30 at the six. This 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo has a black exterior finish over tan leather interior upholstery.
Interior amenities include heated and electrically adjustable front seats, a Becker CD stereo and automatic climate control, as well as an electronic sunroof for those who love fresh air. The vehicle’s valve seals and timing chain cover have recently been replaced with new alternatives, as have the turbocharger and intake hoses. All in all, this well maintained 993 Turbo would make a fantastic addition to any enthusiast’s collection.
So, those of you with deep pockets and fat bank accounts will be excited to know that it is currently available online right now. The auction process is taking place at Bring a Trailer, where this retro air-cooled gem will remain listed for five more days (until Friday, February 17th). With all that said, it’s time to talk numbers and wrap it up.
Of the four bids submitted so far, the highest is placed at a generous $160,000, but we don’t expect this bid to stay on top for long. While you’d be right to say that’s a lot of mass, it’s certainly closer to the everyday person’s reach than the GT2 or Turbo S models of the same era. Well, make sure you act fast if spending six figures on an old-school sports car is your thing.
