1996 Porsche 911 Targa (993) Manual

Highlights

• Stunning example of rare 993 Targa

• One of the very last air-cooled 911s

• Enormous history file

• Recent £5k service and overhaul

• Immaculate inside and out

Overview

There are some cars that have symbolism for being the very first of a breed and there are others that are revered for being the last of a legendary line. 

The Porsche 911 ‘993’ falls into the latter category. Introduced 30 years after the original 911, it was as good as a standard air-cooled 911 ever got – still pure to the original concept, with a unique and addictive soundtrack, but with a wider body, flared arches and a fresh, advanced multi-link rear end, with a brand-new subframe and what became known as the ‘Weissach’ axle, taking away some of the twitchy edginess of 911s of old and reducing lift-off oversteer to a point where it was much more predictable on the limit, yet still exciting enough for those who still liked the tail to wag the dog. 

Yes, it was more civilised. But only in a way that made the 911 easier to live with rather than making it anodyne or insipid. Far from it, in fact, especially in the final full model year of 1996, when the power output of the 3.6-litre flat six was upped to 281bhp in standard tune.

And that’s what we have here. It’s a very late 993 Targa in Polar Silver, with the most incredible file of service history and photographic evidence of restoration work carried out to make it as good as it is today – and it’s genuinely one of the nicest 993s we’ve seen in a long time. That targa roof, too, is no compromise. While earlier 911 Targas weren’t as stiff as their forebears, the 1996MY 993 came with an electric sliding glass panel and felt just as sharp and tight as the coupé. 

Unsurprisingly, given their significance, 993s have shot up in value in recent years and are actively sought-after by Porsche enthusiasts. Now’s your chance to grab what’s already a sure-fire collector’s piece – a genuine asset as well as a marvellous car to drive. 

History and documentation

• Registered 25 April 1996

• Porsche Certificate of Production showing the car was completed on 23 February 1996, 

• Stamped service book with services as follows: May 1997 @ 6,072 miles, Mar 1998 @ 18,394 miles, Nov 1998 @ 29,360 miles, Nov 1999 @ 39,479 miles, Jun 2001 @ 44,497 miles, Feb 2002 @ 53,126 miles, Jan 2003 @ 61,013 miles, Jul 2003 @ 67,024 miles, Feb 2011 @ 85,511 miles, Sep 2016 @ 88,966 miles, Aug 18 @ 89,352 miles, Aug 22 @ 90,025 miles

• Separate invoice from Jan 2024 for £5,808 for substantial mechanical overhaul including new cam covers, gaskets, plugs, belts and fluids

• Full document pack

• Collection of invoices 

• All old MOT certificates

• Two keys

• Current MOT with no advisories, expires 07 May 2026

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Copies of old V5 documents

• The car incurred some car park damage to the front wing in 2002, which resulted in the insurance company declaring it a Cat D 

• Comes with full alignment report and description of repair

• Also includes a photographic record of restoration work and a respray carried out for the previous owner, where corrosion was cut out of the screen surround and professionally restored to an exceptional standard

• History is presented in a bound file, and contains over 60 receipts and invoices. 

 

Interior

• Smart Marble Grey leather with Midnight Blue dash rails and steering wheel

• All upholstery in excellent condition, as are the carpets and door cards

• Fully retractable electric targa roof

• Electric windows

• Air conditioning

• Aftermarket retro-style Continental stereo with USB and Bluetooth functionality

• Tailored floor mats

• 2+2 rear seats

 

Exterior

• Gorgeous Polar Silver metallic

• Repainted and presented to an exceptional standard – glass-out respray carried out in 2018

• All alloy wheels are in superb order

• Matching Bridgestone Potenza tyres 

• Underside appears excellent and has never received a corrosion advisory at MOT

• Truly superb condition with no notable marks, dents or paint chips

• All glass in great order, including retractable roof

 

Mechanical

• 3,600cc air-cooled flat-six

• Six-speed manual

• 281 bhp

• Brake calipers refurbished and overhauled in 2025

• According to the vendor, the car drives brilliantly and there are no reported mechanical faults or issues
  
  

Summary

If you want a good tip for a future investment, then the 993-generation of Porsche 911 is probably it. Not only are they great cars to own and drive, but they’re becoming increasingly collectable and cherished among enthusiasts. Good ones have shot up in value in recent years as people latch on to the appeal of the last of the air-cooled 911s.

This one is an absolute gem. Despite the insurance marker, the condition of the car is both stunning inside and out, and it has clearly been cherished and adored by its recent owners. You’ll struggle to find a nicer one, and being a ’96 and a Targa, it’s also the quick one, and the rarest body style. There’s a lot here to like. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Kings Lynn, Norfolk