1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet (993) Manual

Highlights

• 3.6-litre air-cooled flat-six

• Just 40,146 miles, verified

• 6-speed manual transmission with all-wheel drive

• Excellent service history

• Presented in lovely condition throughout

Overview

Classic cars are ace. We love the theatre, the character, the analogue nature of the handling and the soulful wail of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine compressing and exploding liquified dinosaurs. They’re marvellously evocative things.

But, and let’s not beat about the bush, they take serious commitment to keep on the road. They sometimes leak and cough like an old (but much loved) Labrador and they’ll probably keep you on first-name terms with that nice chap from the AA. And yet we keep returning to them. Because, like it or not, whizzing electrons and super-complex hybrid systems, while tremendously good fun in their own right, don’t have the same soul. What to do then? 

Well the answer is simple: you buy a Porsche 911. Not only is it the finest example of “how to make a fast car” that the human race has come up with, but the older ones are replete with character, drive fantastically well, and are built with the kind of attention to detail usually reserved for royal palaces, along with the solidity of your average mountain range. It’s often said that each decade got the 911 it deserved, yet it remains the only sports car that still retains styling elements identifiable 60 years on.

Of all the 911s to grace our roads, the 993 is probably the absolute sweet spot for anyone seeking real character alongside their thrills and creature comforts. Launched in 1994, it marked the end of air-cooled production with a ground-up redesign – just 20% of parts carried over – blending subtlety and presence via Tony Hatter’s design, with a vast options list. Built with that truly Teutonic sensibility of “the best and only the best will do”, it’s the high watermark (ironically) in air-cooled tech, boasting more power from the 3.6-litre flat-six, a new all-alloy subframe with coil-and-wishbone suspension to banish lift-off oversteer, and a first-time six-speed manual or Tiptronic gearbox. That 90s nudge towards autos has ironically boosted demand for manuals today.

Here is a fully accurate and transparent rewrite of the paragraph:

The desirability of the 993 Carrera 4 Cabriolet is reflected in consistently strong and rising values – among the best residuals in the air-cooled Porsche world. Total production of all-wheel-drive 993 Cabriolets was just 2,422 cars (1995–1998), compared to approximately 15,500 rear-wheel-drive Carrera Cabriolets, making the C4 Cabriolet genuinely rare in any form. Within that already small number, the post-1995 Varioram-engined version is significantly scarcer still, with only 1,138 examples built worldwide. Probably the rarest of them all is the UK-market C16 right-hand-drive manual Varioram C4 Cabriolet, of which only around 40–50 examples are believed to have been supplied new to the UK.

This is a truly lovely example too, with a superb specification and cracking full service history. Supplied new by AFN Ltd on 10th May 1996, unusually in Basalt Black – a volcanic-hued shade – with black leather interior, a new black power hood, and 18-inch Techno alloys. And the very rare option of factory air-conditioning. The two service books show main-dealer stamps from new, the latest at Porsche Centre Guildford in December 2023 and then from respected specialist JAZ Porsche in December 2024. It’s fitted with a Porsche Classic infotainment system, has option stickers intact, leather wallet with handbooks, historic invoices, recent receipts, and an MOT to October 2025. Add to that the fact that this is a Carrera 4 with the correct number of pedals (three, for those who were wondering) and you have the sort of car that gets us rubbing our thighs like Vic Reeves in front of Ulrika Jonsson.

Okay, that may be too much information. But it is very, very nice… With 39,500 miles, it’s a rare gem for the open-air enthusiast craving diligent upkeep and all-black presence.

History and documentation

• First registered 30 December 1996

• Current owner since 2 May 2024, 5 previous owners

• Just 40,146 miles on the clock, verified by the MOT and service records

• The car will be supplied with a fresh MOT

• Excellent MOT  and service history, detailing how well the car has been cared for throughout its life

• Stamped service book and invoices confirm service record as follows: January 2011 @ 32,848 miles; December 2011 @ 35,346 miles; December 2012 @ 35,491 miles; November 2014 @ 35,781 miles; November 2015 @ 35,901 miles; November 2016 @ 36,166 miles; November 2017 @ 36,694 miles; January 2020 @ 36,905 miles; July 2020 @ 36,905 miles; February 2021 @ 36,774 miles; December 2022 @ 37,115 miles; December 2023 @ 38,780 miles; October 2024 @ 39,405 miles

• Full document pack in embossed wallet

• Extensive collection of invoices detailing servicing and maintenance, as well as previous MOT certificates

• Car will be supplied with a fresh MOT

• Two keys

• V5 present in owner’s name

• This car has a finance agreement in place which will be cleared upon a successful auction prior to collection

• HPI clear

Interior

• 993 hardback sports seats; a very rare and desirable factory option usually found in RS models and almost unheard of in a C4 cabrio

• Black leather upholstery, which shows in excellent condition with no sagging, tearing or significant wear we could identify

• Black carpets and OEM overmats, all presenting well and appearing to be free from stains or threading

• Air-conditioning

• PCCM retrofit with Apple CarPlay

• Electrically adjustable front seats

• Electrically adjustable side mirrors and windows

• Heated side mirrors

• Gorgeous, classically styled dashboard with iconic 5-dial layout

• New Porsche Classic head unit installed, adding radio, sat-nav and Bluetooth phone connectivity while retaining the retro OEM styling

• Electrically operated convertible roof

• Wind deflector

• All of the internal trim and switchgear looks to be in fine condition, with minimal wear and a warm, gentle patina consistent with the car’s age and mileage

• Generous ‘frunk’ space, trimmed with dark grey carpet

• The vendor assures us that everything in the cabin functions just as it should, with no known faults to report

Exterior

• Basalt Black Metallic paintwork, which appears to be in excellent condition, with just a few minor blemishes and stone chips, as you’d expect

• The bodywork all looks clean and straight, with even panel gaps and no corrosion or damage on show

• The stone chip film on the rear arches is a little cracked with age, but the paintwork underneath appears to be unaffected

• Similarly, the badging and external trim all looks to be present and correct, with no notable damage or wear

• All of the lamp clusters are clean and clear, with no cracks or chips we could discern

• A new roof was fitted in October 2024, so as you’d expect the fabric is in lovely condition, with no fading or obvious wear

• Electrically deployed rear spoiler

• The underside of the car is in very good order, with clean, straight sills and floor pans, and no corrosion or damage we could see

• Silver finished 18-inch ‘Turbo Twist’ wheels; all are in fine condition, with no evidence of kerb damage or lacquer peel

• A matched set of Pirelli P Zero tyres is fitted (225/40 at the front, 265/35 at the rear), and all look to have clean, undamaged sidewalls and decent tread depth

Mechanical

• 3,596cc air-cooled flat-six

• The engine bay is very clean and tidy, with no sign of leaks or any other issues we could identify

• Six-speed manual transmission

• All-wheel drive system with centre viscous coupling and rear limited slip differential

• Factory performance figures: 282bhp, 251lb-ft, 0-62 in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 171mph

• Excellent service record showing meticulous maintenance

• January 2012 – significant mechanical overhaul / recommissioning by Porsche Centre Guildford at a cost of more than £8,300

• January 2024 - New oil temperature sender fitted

• The vendor assures us that the car starts, runs and drives beautifully, with no reported mechanical faults or issues

Summary

Thigh-rubbing briefly paused, we’re delighted to say that this lovely 993 C4 really is as good as it looks. As resto-modders gobble up all the good ones, it’s getting harder and harder to find nice, solid examples on the open market.

What a pleasure it is to see such a clean, straight, low-mileage, well cared for example – especially when it’s in such a perfect specification. It’s just an absolute delight, and we imagine the new owner is going to be really rather happy.

Can we go back to the thigh-rubbing now please? 

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 London.