1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 2

First registered 24 November 1995, this Porsche 911 (993) Carrera Cabriolet has the ‘air-cooled’ 3.6-litre flat-six engine, delivering 268bhp through a 4-speed Tiptronic transmission.

The engine is fitted with the Varioram intake manifold (standard fit on later models), which optimises the flow of air coming into the engine at different rpm claiming 20% more torque at 5,000rpm and a 15% power increase over the earlier power plant. 

The car has had 10 owners since new, the last keeping the car for over 6 years and buying lots of extras for it, and has covered just under 131,000 miles.

It is important to note that this car suffered a small top-end engine fire in 2005 and was tagged as a Category D insurance write-off. Now known as Category N, such vehicles haven’t sustained structural damage, but the problems were deemed beyond economical repair. 

Happily, someone did see the value in salvaging this car and making good. The documents file includes relevant VOSA paperwork but nothing by way of invoices for the repair work done. The service booklet has handwritten notes suggesting that this was done by PH Sportscars of Derbyshire. 

Midnight Blue has to be one of the most attractive colours for a 993 - or any modern classic 911 really - it is a welcome change from the ubiquitous shades of grey but still sober enough so as not to scare the neighbours. That the powered hood is almost identical in colour works well too, more so than black or a contrasting shade.

The paint and bodywork on this cabrio appears in a pretty good condition; largely straight with just a few stone chips and light abrasions that you’d expect of a sports car of this age and mileage. One more noticeable defect is a small dent in the top of the nearside rear wing, the kind you might get when something drops onto the car from a shelf in the garage - “Oh, bother!” - or words to that effect. 

There are small signs of bubbling at the base of the A pillars around the bottom corners of the windscreen but nothing that seems significant. Also, on opening the driver’s door, you can see that the check strap anchor is in need of repair - a common issue with the 993.

The powered hood appears in a good condition, nice and tight, and operates as it should. The rear flexible view panel looks clear, with no creases or cracks. The eagle-eyed among you will notice the extra nostrils in the front bumper where it’s been ‘upgraded’ to the Turbo look. 

The original wheels have been replaced with 18-inch light-alloy Carrera RS Cup split-rims which look to be in a very good condition and are fitted with matching Bridgestone Potenza tyres with good tread and dated from 2013-14.

The interior is upholstered in blue leather with vinyl trims and blue carpets. The blues are different shades which helps break up what would otherwise be blue overload. It is all in a pretty good condition considering. The OEM stereo has been replaced by an Alpine unit, which is paired with a high-quality Focal multi-speaker setup.

The driver and passenger get electrically adjusted, hardback sports seats, which are in a reasonable condition. There’s a scratch in the leather on the lower seat back driver’s side and the outside corner of the passenger seat squab is rather worn but otherwise the leather just looks as you’d expect a 130,000 mile seat to look. The back shells are a little scratched here and there suggesting regular use of the rear +2 seats, or the storage when the rear seat backs are folded flat.

Under the overmats and carpet in the footwells, the foam insulation appears to be disintegrating which is something to keep an eye on. Also, a window switch has come loose from the driver’s door - that should be an easy fix. 

In the front boot/trunk, the loose lining seems in good condition and removing it reveals a new battery, Vredestein Space Master collapsible spare wheel and scissor jack. There’s a CD changer unit for the Alpine stereo too, which seems to be connected but isn’t securely installed, just tucked into place.

The undersides of the car appear intact with no obvious rust or significant corrosion, save for the speckled surfaces of the suspension components and engine mountings. Floor pans have good underseal coverage and elsewhere the undertrays cover and protect the rest.  

The new aluminium billet valve covers stand out brightly either side against the generally black underneath of the car and the aftermarket Fabspeed stainless exhaust looks in good order. This system includes 200-cell sports catalytic converters for better performance and sound.

Under the engine cover - where typically little of the engine itself is visible - the varioram intake manifold can be seen as well as the major ancillaries. All looks in good order but the insulative lining to the engine bay is coming away from the bulkhead and the slam panel is a little scratched.

We try to be as detailed and as transparent as possible in our descriptions but you still don’t have to take our word on the condition of this Porsche, we are looking after it during the sale and would welcome any further inspection, whether in person or via a video call. Use the ‘Contact Seller’ feature to arrange a more detailed look at the car.

This 993 Cabrio has a current MOT valid until June 2021 - passing with no advisories. The online MOT history combined with paper records shows almost annual testing back to 2005 by which time it had already covered 103,000 miles.

The maintenance record shows regular servicing at Porsche service centres and specialists as follows: 

Jun 96 - 12,613 - Stratstone, Wilmslow

Apr 97 - 25,411 - AFN Porsche

Dec 97 - 36,827 - AFN Porsche

Nov 98 - 49,478 - Charles Ivey, Fulham

Aug 99 - 62,073 - Charles Ivey, Fulham

Oct 00 - 74,619 - Lancaster Porsche, Stratford

Feb 01 - 77,307 - Lancaster Porsche, Stratford

Jul 02 - 82,656 - Rivervale Porsche, Brighton

Oct 03 - 92,635 - Paragon, East Sussex

Feb 04 - 94,304 - AFN Porsche, Reading

Dec 05 - 105,977 - PH Sportscars, Derby (including repairing engine fire damage)

Oct 06 - 107,573 - PH Sportscars, Derby

The history file contains a number of invoices for parts and work done in more recent ownership. The selling dealer also reports a recent major service.

This car drives well and as far as we can tell, all its interior electrics and systems are working as they should. The 993 is a highly desirable era of 911 - “last of the air-cooled” and all that - and values for top spec, manual coupés have risen astronomically over the last few years.

We think this handsome Tiptronic Cabrio will fetch between £25,500 and £28,500 which is pretty low for a 993, especially one with so many upgrades (wheels, exhaust, front bumper, stereo), but acknowledges the car’s Cat D ticket and the mileage.

The reserves are usually lower still, so why not give it your best bid and you might get lucky - it’s got to be the cheapest way into an air-cooled 911.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.