An instant classic, the 993 generation of the Porsche 911 is now highly sought after. As the last of the air-cooled 911s, they are the most developed of the original formula that first appeared in 1963. The layout of the instruments, the sheetmetal of the door, and the entire greenhouse is fundamentally unchanged from the original 911, and these cars have a feeling of solidity and craftsmanship that was not only missing from the 996 generation that replaced the 993, but is missing from almost every car made in the last 25 years.
Yet despite this old-world craftsmanship and the occasional sign that the fundamental architecture dates back to the 1960s, the 993 is impressively modern, even 25 years after its introduction. The sophisticated multilink rear suspension and massive rear tires make the rear placement of the engine a non-issue, while the twin plug 3.6 liter flat-6 is a torquey high-performance unit that is both tractable and full of character. The brakes, always a Porsche strong suit, are superb, and the gearbox is Porsche's robust 6-speed G50 unit. Sophisticated and high performing but also capturing the essence of the original 911, the 993 has become a genuine classic, one which can be safely driven and enjoyed daily in modern traffic.
Offered in a wide variety of configurations, the Carrera 4S is a particularly desirable variant of the 993. Featuring the flared wheel arches, suspension, and brakes (interestingly the Carrera S did not receive these brakes) of the Turbo but the clean profile and robust naturally-aspirated engine of the Carrera it has a combination of chassis competence, responsiveness, and visual presence unmatched by any other 993.
This particular example is a two-owner car that has spent its entire life in the San Francisco Bay Area, having been sold new by Rector Motor Car Company in Burlingame, California on 31 October 1995. Finished in midnight blue with light grey interior with dark blue dash, steering wheel, beltline trim and rear parcel shelf, the car is nicely equipped with Becker CR 210 radio, power seat package, embossed Porsche crests on the headrests, rear window wiper, wheel caps with Porsche crests, hi-fi sound system, and supple leather.
The car’s first owner kept it for nearly 20 years and the second owner bought it in 2015 and has spent considerable money sorting the car, including a $17,000 plus engine-out service in 2020-21 which included resealing the timing covers and valve covers, engine fan bearing, oil level sensor, alternator, new distributor caps, rotors, spark plugs, and spark plug wires, all belts, fuel filter, brake fluid, new motor mounts, new Michelin PS2 tires, and new battery. Additionally, the car received new front brake rotors and pads about 2,500 miles ago.
Cosmetically, the car is in good condition, with a few paint chips and scratches around the car, and one area less than an inch long on the roof where the paint has been polished thin. The paint is otherwise in good condition and the car has straight panels and good panel fit and operation. The glass and lights are generally in very good condition as well, with minor road rash on the front windscreen. The interior presents nicely with minimal wear to the leather, and excellent dash, instruments, and switches.
The car is complete with books, tools, compressor, original window sticker, conventional and switchblade keys, and service records from the current ownership period as well as a VMI printout showing the car’s full dealer service history from new until the current owner purchased the car in 2015.
