Lot 035: 1996 PORSCHE 993 CABRIOLET

Notable as Porsche's last air-cooled 911 range, the 993 series was introduced in September 1993. A quantifiable improvement in terms of handling, ride quality and refinement, the newcomer used a monocoque bodyshell that was some 20\% stiffer than that of the outgoing 964 series. While the adoption of multi-link rear suspension in place of the previous semi-trailing arms brought notable gains in high-speed stability and road noise suppression. Further benefiting from power-assisted rack and pinion steering and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, the 993 was powered by a reworked 3.6 litre flat-six engine (strengthened crankshaft, lightened conrods / pistons, hydraulic valve adjustment, twin pipe exhaust etc) allied to six-speed manual or semi-automatic Tiptronic transmission. With some 272bhp and 243lbft of torque on tap, it was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds and 167mph. The work of Englishman Tony Hatter, its restyled bodywork remained faithful to the classic 911 silhouette but incorporated a more muscular stance with flared wheelarches, flatter set headlights and advanced underbody aerodynamics. Debuting in March 1994, the Cabriolet version boasted a specially reinforced windscreen and snug electrically-operated canvas hood. Updated alongside its coupe and targa siblings, the soft-top gained the improved Variocam powerplant for the 1996-model year (August 1995 onwards). Developing an extra 13bhp and 8lbft of torque thanks to its improved volumetric efficiency, the revised unit gave a small but welcome boost to performance. For many the last 'true' 911, the 993 made way for the water-cooled 996 in 1998. Finished in turquoise with light grey leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "excellent overall" condition (though, he notes that the rear tyres are low on tread). Said to have had "three owners" and to have covered some 23,000 miles from new (a figure apparently substantiated by "old MOTs"), it wears the appropriate registration number 'C11 CAB' (Carrera 2 Cabriolet). Reportedly "maintained by various Porsche dealerships", the two-seater is further understood to have been treated to "a new hood last year". Riding on alloy wheels, this desirable 993 Variocam Cabriolet is offered for sale with a hood cover, service history and the aforementioned MOT certificates. PLEASE NOTE: This lot has a MOT certificate valid until February 2009.