1996 Porsche 993 Carrera 4 Cabriolet

This great looking 993 Convertible ticks all the boxes. Fitted with the more powerful VarioRam engine feeding power and twist through the six speed G50 gearbox and presented in a totally original condition. It is also the Carrera 4 derivative marking it out as the traction maximising four-wheel drive version now based on the 959 flagship’s system, replacing the centre differential with a viscous coupling unit.  This is a UK specified and supplied example first registered in August 1996 and supplied by AFN of Reading.

The Porsche has been used and enjoyed by four previous keepers. The fourth of which acquired the car in February 2013 and kept it for a full 10 years. At the time of his purchase the Porsche had covered 99,000 miles. The previous keeper sold the 993 via Bonhams Cars Online in April 2023 with 120,400 miles having been covered at that stage.

Current and fifth owner, Andrew, is now only selling due to lack of use with him having added “less than a thousand miles in the year and a bit that I have owned it.” Andrew goes on to say that “I have had the suspension sorted, the soft top changed, and the car thoroughly serviced, spending about £13,000 in all. It drives perfectly and has been great fun to get around in, but I don't drive it enough and it deserves to be driven.”
 

This 993 Carrera 4 Cabriolet looks purposeful in its blue paintwork. It is one of those colours that convinces you that you can speak German after all – “Nachtblaumetallic (Midnight Blue Metallic).” This combines with its original 17-inch “Cup II” five-spoke alloys to make for a highly original and eye-catching example. 

With the complementary, slightly lighter blue, new mohair hood up or down (fitted in May 2023 at the cost of just under £2,000) the car manages to exude an air of power, sophistication and unmistakeable 911 style. The Hatter / Lagaay design aesthetic, even after 25 years, remains an absolute winner making it easy to see why this period of 911 remains a favourite of so many enthusiasts and connoisseurs.

For a 28-year-old car having covered over 120,000 miles the condition of both paintwork and bodywork must surely be considered excellent. Age-related blemishes and marks seem very hard to spot with just some minor paint cracking noted on the front bumper cover. The paint exhibits a deep and lustrous shine throughout, and the panel gaps appear of the usual Porsche “military-grade” standard. 

The Cup II alloy wheels are in decent shape overall. There is the odd scuff and scab of lacquer deterioration in places, but they are only evident upon close inspection. The open, five spoke design allows sight of the well-finished, Porsche inscribed brake callipers. The wheels are shod with a set of quality Michelin Pilot Sport tyres which are date stamped from 2019 (fronts) and 2020 (rears).
 

Much like the exterior, the comfortable cabin remains “recognisably 911” and better for it. Predominantly trimmed in Marble Grey leather, the interior exudes a light and airy ambiance. The wing-backed sports seats are a highlight, exquisitely finished in perforated leather. These feature the composite back panels complete with inset Porsche emblems. The front seats are electrically adjustable and provide an admirable amount of support in the twisties. The overall condition seems excellent with only the driver’s seat bolster exhibiting some noticeable discolouration and wear. 

The rear seats are not…….. for humans really, given their diminutive dimensions and upright backs. They are, however, in excellent condition, provide perfect accommodation for up to two small canine friends and do fold forward to provide some very useful additional storage.

The carpets are in a complementary charcoal grey hue and retain a good pile. There is some cracking to the original heel pads, but Porsche branded carpet over mats are fitted over these. The door cards are trimmed in the same Marble Grey leather and appear pristine. Both the door cappings and the top and bottom dash panels are trimmed in a contrasting black leather. The leather steering wheel is original and also finished in black.

The wheel sits ahead of a comprehensive instrument binnacle with the big, signature 911 tachometer mounted slap, bang in the centre and hence always in the driver’s eye-line. The centre console houses assorted switchgear and the slightly worn leather trimmed lever for that important, six-speed G50 gearbox. Behind this sits a period highlight in the form of four push / push cassette storage trays.

The front luggage compartment is trimmed in matching grey carpet and houses the original jack, tool roll and spare wheel. The factory original and informative build sticker is present on the luggage compartment hood, an item of importance and interest to the Porsche connoisseur. 
 

The 3.6L air-cooled M64/21 engine fitted to this car proved to be a gem of a unit. Uprated from the 993’s original engine courtesy of the innovative VarioRam induction system which dominates the top of the engine bay. This bit of Stuttgart trickery optimised airflow at various engine speeds to deliver increased power and torque, especially in the mid-ranges. Whilst this model was the last air-cooled 911 it was also the first with a six-speed version of the desirable G50 gearbox. This combination of lasts and firsts makes this somewhat of an aficionado’s dream car. 

In Andrew’s ownership in June 2023 the car has enjoyed a thorough going over at the hands of specialists La Rose Porsche. La Rose performed a major service (£1,000), a full suspension overhaul and recommissioning (£5,994), a brake overhaul (£840) and a few sundry bits and pieces. This was at 120,398 miles – a mere 858 miles ago.

It should come as no surprise then that engine bay of this example looks both well maintained and highly original. The underside of the car appears to be straight and leak free with no areas of concern noted.
 

This 993 comes with a range of provenance providing paperwork as you will see from our 55-image photographic package. First and foremost is the current V5 registration document in Andrew’s name and noting four previous owners. The current MoT is present and is valid until March 2025. A good number of earlier MoTs are present.

The remainder of the archive consists of a number of invoices for work undertaken including the La Rose invoice referred to earlier and the replacement hood invoice. Others document a diligent and high level of spend on maintenance throughout the 993’s life. 
 

Hindsight truly is a wonderful thing. In this case it has shown us the importance of the 993 in the Porsche 911 world famous lineage. In amongst a dizzying array of specification variations, changes and model year refreshes the 993 stands tall as a milestone car. The last of the air-cooled Porsche 911’s. To many eyes it is one of the most successful, and perhaps dramatic, evolutions of the line. It Light by today’s standards and with a 282 bhp sting in tail this is a sub six second to sixty car with a 160mph plus top speed.

This example stands out as a great exemplar of an important 911 model, too. In six-speed G50 and VarioRam specification it also boasts the confidence giving four-wheel-drive set up and the desirable Cabriolet body style. With over £13,000 spent in the last year or so alone, and earlier diligent maintenance this is a 933 that is ready to be enjoyed and relished immediately and without worry. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £34,000 - £38,000.

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