1996 Porsche 911 (993) C2 Targa Tiptronic

• Lovely Carrera 2 Targa in superb standard condition with factory stickers still in place
• Classically finished in Polar Silver Metallic with an all-black cabin
• Just over 55,000 miles (88,784km) with an enviable maintenance history
• VarioRam-engined example with 285bhp, enabling 170 mph and acceleration to match
• The 993-series 911 has a real and important place in the history of Porsche's most famous model and is regarded by many as a true modern classic

The 993 was the final generation of air-cooled 911s, and as such will always have a special place in the affections of Porsche enthusiasts. It is also widely said to be the last of the 911s that were built whilst engineering integrity overruled accounting pressures at Porsche. Twenty years on, it still looks modern - a truly timeless design.

The 993 was launched in the autumn of 1994 and was claimed by the company to be significantly different (80% new they said) from the 964. The bodywork was altogether more curvaceous, with a number of new panels and the overall look was much smoother and more integrated. Importantly, this new style was still every inch a 911 in the traditional manner, with the profiles of the doors and rear quarter windows remaining unchanged from earlier models.

The biggest change under the skin was the new multi-link rear suspension, giving greater driver confidence, less road noise and excellent ride quality. Designed to give a level of passive rear-wheel steering (the “Weissach effect”), thus controlling the way the suspension behaved under cornering, braking, and acceleration, it transformed the 911. It was also the first 911 to be equipped with power steering and an advanced ABS system.

The 993 used essentially the same 3.6-litre engine as the 964 and could be specified with a manual or semi-automatic (Tiptronic) gearbox. Tiptronic is a type of discrete automatic transmission developed by Porsche and it operates as a normal automatic transmission, but it also allows the driver to override the automatic mode by moving the shift lever into a second (Tiptronic) shift gate equipped with two spring-loaded positions: "upshift" and "downshift". Once in this gate, the driver takes over most of the gear changing decisions ordinarily performed by the transmission's computer. In a 993, the upshift and downshift operations can also be commanded by push buttons installed on the steering wheel.

August 1995 heralded the introduction of the 'VarioRam' induction system, helping to boost power to 285bhp, and enabling a top speed close to 170 mph and acceleration to match.

The car seen here is a 1996, 911 (993) Carrera 2 Targa with the Tiptronic gearbox, and is a RHD, C16 (UK market) example. Classically presented in Polar Silver with an all-black interior, it remains in lovely standard specification, wearing the distinctive split-rims wheels which were an option for the 993 Targa model. The car is in superb condition, (always good to see factory stickers still in-situ) having been owned and treasured by discerning Porsche-enthusiast-owners in both Hong Kong and Germany (hence km/h conversion) and maintained by Porsche, before returning to the UK in 2010 where again it was looked after by Porsche Centres and marque specialists, with a wealth of receipts to support this care. Part of a private collection since 2016 (at this time going to Porsche for their 111-Point check, resulting in only a few very minor jobs), the car has resided in a protective bubble in a professional facility, covering just a handful of miles during this time, and regularly run-up and serviced.

It has a complete service history, having covered just over 55,000 documented miles (88,784km) and, with the benefit of a recent service and fresh MOT (done only a matter of weeks ago by respected Porsche specialists Zuffenhaus of Solihull), it drives and performs as well as you’d expect from such a well-cared for car. The Targa roof creates a light and airy feel in what is already a very attractive cabin and the unique benefit of the Targa concept is being able to offer a flavour of open-top motoring whilst retaining a good degree of structural rigidity.

The 993-series 911 has an important place in the history of Porsche's most famous model and is regarded by many as a true modern classic, offering genuine usability with all the characterful quirkiness of earlier 911s. This delightful, low mileage example is a very fine specimen, patently cared for, and now ready to be used and enjoyed by a new custodian.