1996 Porsche 911 993 Targa Manual

Often cited by enthusiasts as "the last real Porsche" the 993 straddles the bridge between pure high performance driving thrills, visceral dynamics, and appealing design-led solutions to emissions and safety requirements. No previous 911 variant had such high-speed cornering ability and stability via the use of widened track and all-alloy rear suspension. The six-speed manual gearbox not only surpassed the previous four and five-speed gearboxes in usability, but most commentators also found it to be a quicker reacting and a smoother gear change, in turn allowing full concentration to be employed on the road ahead rather than fighting the gears themselves.

The Targa, introduced for the 1996 model year, changed the future of Porsche Targa roof designs by being an all-glass retractable surface rather than removable panels - cementing the link between heightened functionality and aesthetic form demanded by buyers from the 1990s onwards. This design had the added visceral benefit of a clean coupe line from A to C pillar (previous Targas incorporating bulky roll-over protection on the B pillar to facilitate the removable panels).

Delivered new by Evans Halshaw Porsche in 1996 to its first owner, a Mr Derek of Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire, this much sought after manual 3.6 Varioram engined Targa, is finished in Polar Silver with a Flamenco Red leather interior, including full leather rear seats - an option rarely chosen at the time. Other standout options on this car include; Hardback Sports Seats, 17" split rim alloys, a leather steering wheel, air conditioning and remote central locking.

The service history and documentation that accompany this car can only be described as immaculate, containing all original books and driver manuals and the original service book which is now showing 17 stamps from Official Porsche Centre's since its delivery:

Date Mileage Centre01-05-14 55,293 Porsche Byfleet05-07-12 54,319 Porsche Byfleet18-05-11 53,214 Porsche Byfleet29-04-10 52,250 Porsche Byfleet09-04-09 49,873 Porsche Byfleet01-04-08 46,611 Porsche Byfleet (Camtune)12-04-07 42,898 Porsche Byfleet (Camtune)12-04-06 39,273 Porsche Byfleet (Camtune)08-04-05 35,769 Porsche Guildford13-04-04 32,481 Porsche Mid-Sussex08-04-03 29,048 Rivervale Porsche24-04-02 25,092 Rivervale Porsche05-04-01 20,185 Rivervale Porsche27-03-00 14,188 Evans Halsaw Porsche30-03-99 11,096 Evans Halsaw Porsche09-04-98 6,879 Evans Halsaw Porsche15-05-97 4,078 Evans Halsaw Porsche

The car was purchased by Mr Berman of Pulborough, West Sussex in September 2000. After the passing of Mr Berman, the car was bequeathed to Mrs Berman, who kept it until April 2014, when the current owner purchased the car.

Since then the car has undergone a major service at Porsche Byfleet (500 miles ago) and the alloy wheels have been refurbished, with new Pirelli P-Zero tyres fitted. Being a strong believer in maintaining the car to its fullest, the current owner has recently had the bonnet, bumper and front wings resprayed (since the car was photographed) to ensure the car remains at its best. At the same time, the engine bay, interior and exterior of the car were fully detailed. Showing a warranted 55,570 miles on the odometer, this beautiful Targa comes with an MoT until March 2015 and road tax paid until August 2015, as well as the V5C registration document.

Rarely do vehicles of this superb nature come to market, and with a solid Porsche service history to boot, this future classic is ready to be driven, as was intended.