Porsche 993s for Sale | Hemmings

Porsche 993s for Sale

The 993 chassis was Porscheâ€™s ultimate air-cooled 911, the end of a technical line that originated 30 years before. It represented only the second major revision in the flat-six sports carâ€™s history, following the 964-chassis 911 of 1989-â€™94, and took technica...

The 993 chassis was Porscheâ€™s ultimate air-cooled 911, the e...

The 993 chassis was Porsche’s ultimate air-cooled 911, the end of a technical line that originated 30 years before. It represented only the second major revision in the flat-six sports car’s history, following the 964-chassis 911 of 1989-’94, and took technical and stylistic inspiration from the four-wheel-drive 959 supercar. The 993 was an instant classic upon its introduction, and remains a key 911 touchpoint today.

Developed under Dr. Ulrich Bez (previously at BMW Technik, later Aston Martin), this new model represented both the air-cooled 911’s only major redesign and the ultimate evolution of that characterful flat-six. The resounding success of the 993, on the market between 1994 and 1998, would give Porsche the funds and breathing room to develop the completely new, water-cooled 996-generation 911 (and closely related Type 986 Boxster), released in 1998 for model year ’99.
While the 964 had hid most of its technical advancements under familiar skin–well-integrated bumpers and taillamps were the most obvious visual differences from the G-chassis 911 it replaced–the 993 proudly proclaimed its improvements with smooth new bodywork that brought the classic 1960s teardrop shape right into the late 1990s. Up front, the decklid was shorter, between flatter fenders that integrated angled headlamps; those complex lighting units and the bumper below created a family resemblance to the 968. Sleek door mirrors and soft-spoke wheels added modernity, while the rear fenders were smoothed and raised, leading into taillamps that sat higher than they traditionally had. The speed-activated rear decklid spoiler, introduced on the 964, was retained on naturally aspirated 993s. Eventually, a full range of body styles would be available: Coupe, power soft-top Cabriolet, and a new-style Targa with an electric internal-sliding laminated glass roof panel and external high-mounted CHMSL.

Following precedent, the 993-generation 911 was available with either rear-wheel-drive as a Carrera, or with viscous coupling four-wheel-drive as a Carrera 4. The 911 Turbo returned for 1995, but it now sent power to all four wheels. The 1996-’97 Carrera 4S adopted the Turbo’s wide-body look and its red-caliper brakes, but kept the motorized rear spoiler instead of using the fixed “whale tail;” a similar-appearing rear-drive Carrera S variant was also built. The Turbo sported extra air intakes in front, 959-derived “Technology” hollow-spoke alloy wheels (commonly dubbed “Turbo Twists”), and a fully body-colored rear spoiler.

Providing motivation for the Carrera and Targa models was a 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six that made up to 285 hp with the addition of 1996’s torque-optimizing VarioRam induction system; it could be paired with a six-speed manual or four-speed Tiptronic automatic. The 993 Turbo’s 3.6-liter boxer was fitted with twin turbochargers and air-to-air intercoolers, and made 400 hp. The limited-production 1997 Turbo S, built by Porsche Exclusiv, got additional aerodynamic updates and rear fender-mounted air intakes. With larger KKK turbos, an extra oil cooler, and updated engine software, it put out 424 hp in U.S. spec, good for a 3.6-second 0-60 run. These Porsches weren’t only good at sprinting, as a fully re-engineered multi-link rear suspension, mounted in a subframe, largely eliminated the 911’s famous tendency towards lift-throttle oversteer. Low-production 993 variants not imported to America included the 911 Turbo Cabriolet, the 911 Carrera RS and RS Clubsport, and the 911 GT2/GT.

Just over 68,000 examples of the 993-chassis 911 were built during its production run. It was replaced by the higher-volume 996 that wasn’t universally loved, so 993s have long maintained high resale values that now can exceed their original MSRPs. Whether naturally aspirated or turbocharged, a 993 911 enjoys stellar build quality and good parts availability, and Hemmings is a great place to find one.

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