1997 Porsche 993 Carrera 4

BACKGROUND

When Porsche launched the 911 in 1963, not even the hardiest of gamblers would have betted on the company still producing modern derivatives of this iconic car over 60 years later.

Doggedly sticking to air cooled flat six engines and fundamentally the same chassis design until the 993 series, it has often been quoted that this was the car that nearly broke Porsche financially, being over engineered and too expensive to manufacture with the company’s traditional techniques. Today that translates into the most extensively developed air-cooled 911 produced by the factory and built to last.

The new water-cooled generation 996 and others would follow, with enhanced technology and efficient manufacturing techniques, ensuring the company returned back to healthy profits again, however, the special `bank vault` solid feel of a 993 has never been captured since.

As early versions of this car have now passed their 30th birthday, don’t be fooled into thinking all 993s will still perform as if they were new when poorly maintained, however buy a correctly serviced example, and the 993 is a rock solid and faithful companion.

IT’S ALL GOLDEN

Which brings us neatly onto this example we have for sale. Manufactured in 1997, this Carrera 4 Coupe was supplied by AFN on 1st November 1997 and finished in the special order colour of Palladium Metallic with contrasting black leather interior. Being a later model, mated to its 6 speed manual gearbox is the desirable 285BHP varioram engine. It’s also fitted with some desirable options including, stainless oval tail pipes, sports air box, stainless steel door entry guards with Carrera 4 logo, aluminium gear lever, aluminium dials with chome bezels (as Turbo S) 18-inch Turbo wheels, graduated tinted screen, automatic climate control, third brake light, electric sunroof and an external 993 RS aero styling kit.

So, a desirable specification 993 for sure and still in very sharp condition throughout. However, when you add just 61,000 miles and a full Porsche service history from new, with 27 stamps in the book (yes that is one for each year) all books, bills, keys and master key still with the car, this 993 is certainly an unusual find, and unique enough for Porsche Centre Swindon to use this actual car as a representative example for their Porsche Classic Programme.

OUR THOUGHTS

The jury will always be out on Carrera 2 verses Carrera 4, but unless you are a ten tenths on the limit driver, we wager you wouldn’t be able tell the difference in normal use behind the wheel, that’s until you arrive at a damp greasy corner with a bit too much enthusiasm of course, then the Carrera 4 will certainly be the better companion to save the day.

What isn’t in doubt, is this is certainly an upper tier, unusual specification 993 with a meticulous maintenance history, and when as good as this example is, a solid investment too.