1996 Porsche 911 Cabriolet

Finished in Midnight Blue and a Marble Grey leather interior, this 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet is fitted with the desirable manual gearbox and a highly appropriate registration number.

It also has what might be the most impressive service history of any 911 we’ve seen this year. Despite only having just ticked over into six figures, there are no fewer than 25 stamps in the service history booklets – and it saw the inside of a Porsche main dealer twice in many years.

Showing just three previous keepers on the V5, it is a strong contender for the best-maintained sportscar we’ve seen this year. The vendor states " the person who restored it is an air-cooled specialist and works only with air-cooled Porsches. "

The 993 is a neat and understated design, so the Midnight Blue colour of this one is entirely appropriate. Even with the hood folded down and neatly stowed, it projects gravitas rather than frippery, which is how it should be.

It helps, of course, that this one is in such a good condition. With shutlines that might have been etched, the panels are straight and true and free of ripples and dinks and dents; you’d know it’s been treasured and maintained properly, even without those fully stamped service history booklets.

The 17-inch alloy wheels tell the same story. Free of marks bar tyres bar small scuff on the offside rear alloy wheel (#45), they are also fitted with a matching set of Michelin Pilot Sport. Fitted in August 2021 and 119,608 miles, they still have plenty of tread left on them.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The light lenses, badges and glazing is all good too, and the rear spoiler deploys as it should.

The black folding roof rises and falls to order, tucking itself away under that iconic rear tonneau cover when it’s not needed. It’s a heavyweight design, almost as weatherproof as the coupé but offering the full wind in the hair experience when the weather cooperates.

The hood does have a small tear on the offside rear but apart from a slight misalignment and some scuffs on the lower edge of the front spoiler (#21 and #143) and a couple of scratches and some stress cracks on the bonnet (#24 and #25) that’s it for flaws.

The interior might lack the slick design and flawless ergonomics of some of its countrymen but there’s no doubting its strength and durability because this one, after the passage of more than a quarter of a century, still looks amazing.

And that’s factoring in the impracticality of the Marble Grey leather interior. Sure, it looks fabulous but its pale hue makes it a magnet for every little spec of dirt – and that this one looks as good as it does speaks volumes about the careful use it’s enjoyed over the years.

Because, while we can find a small mark on the rear seat and the rear edge of the centre console (#94), and the gearknob is lightly worn (#77), that’s all we can find worth mentioning.

This means the lidded door pockets are still as they should be and the cassette holders in the centre console are undamaged. Small stuff, perhaps, but indicative of how even the little things are in good shape.

Just like everything else because the electrically adjustable sports front seats are still firm and supportive.

All-in-all, it’s an absolutely delightful place to be.

The frunk is neatly ordered and very clean and home to the tool kit and a car cover.

The engine bay is every bit as good as you’d expect given the maintenance it’s received over the years. The engine also starts well, and runs and ticks over as it should, with good oil pressure showing on the gauge.

The underside is good with just one small patch of developing rust to take care of (#146).

Supplied by AFN Reading on the 1st of August 1996, the 911 has the following service history recorded:

· 21.08.1997 and 15,740 miles – service by AFN Reading

· 01.06.1998 and 28,665 miles – service by AFN Reading

· 22.06.1999 and 40,982 miles – service by AFN Reading

· 28.09.1999 and 41,195 miles – service by Paragon

· 25.01.2000 and 43,946 miles – service by Paragon

· 12.07.2000 and 48,864 miles – service by Paragon

· 10.01.2001 and 53,102 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Paragon

· 15.01.2002 and 59,840 miles – service by Paragon

· 13.01.2003 and 65,632 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Paragon

· 21.01.2004 and 69,090 miles – service by Paragon

· 20.01.2005 and 74,042 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Paragon

· 25.01.2006 and 77,691 miles – service by Paragon

· 20.01.2007 and 81,556 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Paragon

· 23.01.2008 and 84,668 miles – service by Paragon

· 20.01.2009 and 87,762 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Paragon

· 26.02.2010 and 90,575 miles – service by Paragon

· 09.03.2011 and 93,967 miles – service by Paragon

· 06.03.2012 and 96,981 miles – service by Paragon

· 21.02.2013 and 99,083 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Paragon

· 14.02.2014 and 105,799 miles – service by Porsche Centre West London

· 18.06.2015 and 111,183 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Tognola Engineering Ltd, independent Porsche specialists

· 02.08.2016 and 115,896 miles – service by Tognola Engineering Ltd, independent Porsche specialists

· 24.10.2017 and 117,291 miles – service and fresh brake fluid plus a new clutch and engine mounts by Tognola Engineering Ltd, independent Porsche specialists

· 08.04.2019 and 118,659 miles – service and fresh brake fluid by Tognola Engineering Ltd, independent Porsche specialists

· 17.07.2020 and 119,210 miles – service by Tognola Engineering Ltd, independent Porsche specialists

· 19.08.2022 and 120,396 miles – service by Tognola Engineering Ltd, independent Porsche specialists

The Porsche’s MoT certificate is valid until March 2024 and it was issued, like so many before, with no advisory points being raised. But that’s not a surprise given the above, is it?

It also has its book pack, two sets of keys, and a thick wad of old invoices and bills to back up the stamps in the book.

NB: We note the V5 registration document shows the Porsche as being fuelled with ‘heavy oil’. This is obviously incorrect.

Also, the seller tells us that the odometer wasn’t working for approximately one year, so the actual mileage the car has covered will be slightly higher than that shown.

The vendor also states "the car has been driven down to Italy and back twice by myself, each time going over the Alps. It performed faultlessly each time and those trips were where I racked up about a third of the total 20,000 miles during my ownership. The car has been fantastic but I want something a little bigger now."

With a guide price of somewhere between £25,000 and £35,000, this Carrera 4 is sensational value anyway – but when you learn the seller has agreed a reserve that is significantly lower, the value it represents shoots off the charts.

This is, you’ll recall, a car with one of the finest service histories we’ve ever seen. It’s in a great specification too, and offers genuine all-year-round motoring thanks to that ultra-secure hood and tenacious four-wheel-drive chassis.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.