1996 Porsche 911 Convertible (993) Manual

Highlights

• Sought-after rear-wheel drive manual

• One of the last air-cooled 911s

• From long-term ownership

• Specialist service history file

• Ready to enjoy

Overview

There’s a lot of hype around Porsche 993s at the moment, with the last of the air-cooled 911s really shooting up in value since the model passed its 30th birthday a couple of years ago.

But then it’s a car that deserves the recognition. It's the last of the purest, in many ways – the final iteration of a legendary line of Porsche 911s that used an air-cooled six. Whisper it, but 2023 was the tipping point. There’ve now been more years of water-cooled Neun-Elfs than air-cooled ones – a hard truth for Porsche purists and one that’s edging values of the most traditional models ever higher.

The 993 has dual appeal. It still has that classic clatter that defines the non-coolant fed engine, but was as good as an air-cooled 911 ever got – still pure to the concept, with that unique soundtrack, but with a wider body, flared arches and a fresh, advanced multi-link rear end, with a brand-new subframe and what became known as the ‘Weissach’ axle, taking away some of the twitchy edginess of 911s of old and reducing lift-off oversteer to a point where it was much more predictable on the limit, yet still exciting enough for those who still liked the tail to wag the dog. 

Compared with its forebears, the 993 was more civilised – but only in a way that made the 911 easier to live with, not at any detriment to its character. Far from it, in fact, especially in the final full model year of 1996, when the power output of the 3.6-litre flat six was upped to 281bhp in standard tune. 

This one is one of the very last, registered in August 1996. It’s a completely standard 911 Carrera 2 Cabriolet, which has been with its current owner for over a decade and has been carefully maintained during that period by a well-regarded Porsche specialist and is a genuine, low-mileage car with just 76k from new on the clock. 

An honest, unrestored, unmodified and nicely presented car, it’s a great example of the 993 in its simplest and purest of forms.

History and documentation

• Registered 1 August 1996

• V5C in the name of the vendor

• Current owner for 10 years

• Stamped service book shows the following services: 20 miles (PDI – 1996); 9,518 miles (1997 - main dealer); 17,612 (1998 – main dealer); 25,377 (1999 – main dealer); 28,120 (2000 – main dealer); 35,990 (2001 – main dealer); 40,729 (2003 – main dealer); 46,766 (2004 – main dealer); 50,251 (2005 – main dealer); 52,520 (2007 – specialist); 53,594 (2009 – specialist); 64,037 (2015 – specialist); 69,376 (2016 – specialist); 70,731 (2019 – specialist); 72,941 (2021 – specialist)

• We're advised that the mileometer failed one year and was picked up at the point of MOT but it wasn't noticed as the car was hardly used that year

• Most old MOT certificates

• Some old tax discs

• Full document book pack

• Collection of invoices 

• Two keys

• The seller reports that only one of the immobiliser keys works but that there is a new one ready for programming

• Current MOT until 26 April 2026

• The seller tells us that he's avoided using the car in the wet wherever possible and that it is always garage stored

 Interior

• Marble Grey leather with Midnight Blue dash rails and steering wheel

• All upholstery in good condition, with minor age-related creasing to driver’s side leather

• Some wear to the piping on the seats

• Passenger seat electrics aren’t currently functioning

• Very minor wear to gear lever and handbrake

• Carpets and door cards in good order but vendor reports that the carpets would benefit from a deep-clean

• Fully retractable electric roof

• Electric windows

• Aftermarket Blaupunkt San Remo CD34 stereo

• Tailored floor mats

• 2+2 rear seats

• Original toolkit and jack

Exterior

• Lovely, original Midnight Blue metallic

• Still looks great overall

• On closer inspection, there are with some chips to the front end and light bramble scratches

• All alloy wheels are in superb order

• Matching Continental Sport Contact 2 tyres – vendor reports that these are in good order and have covered about 6,000 miles

• Underside appears sound and has never received a corrosion advisory at MOT

• The hood has some frays where it folds down, but is in generally good order. 

• No tonneau cover

• Roof mechanism cogs were replaced about five years ago and the control unit last year, and it is said to work perfectly 

• The rear plastic window is a little foggy due to age

Mechanical

• 3,596cc air-cooled flat-six

• Six-speed manual

• 281 bhp

• There was an exhaust rear baffle vibration noted in a previous inspection, but that is no longer discernible 

• The battery was replaced in 2019 and a battery drain from the boot light rectified but there may still be a residual drain on it, possibly from aftermarket immobiliser

• Oil level gauge does not work, but level has been regularly checked with no issues

• Last minor service was March 2021 at 72,941 miles, and since then has only done 3,100 miles

• According to the vendor, the car drives brilliantly and there are no reported mechanical faults or issues

Summary

If there’s one car that’s a safe bet as an investment as much as it is a car that you’ll thoroughly enjoy owning and driving, the Porsche 911 993 is it. They’re terrific drivers’ cars, beautifully made, timelessly styled, comfortable and a truly enduring icon – so it’s no surprise that they’ve shot up in value in recent times. 

This one is a genuine car, unspoilt, pure and in lovely overall condition – its originality, the fact it’s a manual and a rear-wheel-drive Carrera 2 all counting heavily in its favour along with the fact it has the later, more powerful engine. There are some opportunities to improve its cosmetic condition but it’s one you could use quite happily. Put simply, there’s an awful lot here to like. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Surrey.