There’s little doubt these days that the 993-chassis Porsche 911 is among the most collectible air-cooled models out there. This generation represented peak 911, with what many feel is the best mixture of performance, comfort, and of course, rarity, owing to it being the last air-cooled 911 ever made. The seller’s car is not only a 993, but it’s also one of the more desirable specs you can buy in naturally-aspirated form. This 1997 911 C2S is one of just 3,714 models made in this configuration, and it’s made rarer still due to the first owner checking the box for the X51 package that increased output to 300 b.h.p. via a variety of factory upgrades. Find the 911 here on eBay where bids have reached $90,600 with no reserve.
On a purely subjective basis, this was the purest expression of a 911, in my opinion. As much as I would love to own the preceding generation – a 964 – the 993 is just a beautiful shape that is both modern and retro at the same time. You know it’s a 911, with a look that harkens back to the earliest models, but it could still be mistaken for new today by the casual observer. This example clearly has beautiful paint with perfect cosmetics all the way around, including blemish-free Turbo-style wheels, which makes it seem likely that the listed mileage of 3,000 is accurate. Still, this car has been extensively updated mechanically, including a rebuilt engine and refreshed suspension and brakes.
The interior doesn’t look like that of a 3,000-mile example, so perhaps the seller is referencing how many miles have been put on the drivetrain since its overhaul. That would make more sense than tearing down a relatively fresh engine unless it was accidentally oil-starved or somehow damaged to the point of needing a rebuild. The listing points out that the seller wanted to increase power over the 300 b.h.p. the X51 package made possible. In addition, in 1996, the 911 was equipped with a new variable intake system called VarioRam that increased base power from 272 to 286. The color combination isn’t the most desirable – red over black or gray gets that nod – but I doubt anyone will care for a chance to own a 911 as desirable as this.
The X51 package featured “…pistons and cylinders with 102 millimeters and modified camshafts to drive the horsepower higher,” according to the seller. What he doesn’t detail is how the rebuild got over the magical 300 b.h.p. threshold, so you’ll have to reach out to the seller to find out what magic he worked in the lab. And while I would say the car speaks for itself, I would want more details on the rebuild before plunking down $100,000, which this 911 will sell for, if not higher, when all is said and done. To some extent, I would say a bone-stock C2S with the X51 package would be more desirable than one with a rebuild in its history file, but it’s clearly not deterring bidders at the moment.
I had a 97 Targa I purchased with higher miles back when they were at the bottom of the depreciation curve. It was my last air cooled 911. Very robust and refined. I started out with my first one a 76 that had an engine rebuilt to euro specs and fitted with the Weber IDA’s then moved on to a 84 Carrera before taking the plunge for the Targa. What I liked about the experience was with each model change you experienced the evolution in design but yet there was no disconnect form the Porsche DNA.
Kind of funny that when I was in the 911 fold my desire was to step up to the newer generation. However now if given the opportunity my pick would be the 76 for its raw experience. No electronic intervention, mechanical brakes and steering, and handling that took skill and the knowledge that if you overcooked into a turn and let your guard down it would stab you in the heart! Not so much the issue with the 993 where you really need to poke it hard for it to bite you. If you are doing that then you belong on the track anyway.
The 993 was also pretty robust. Some suffered from valve guide issues but if you made it past 60K you were okay. I didn’t know they offered the X51 in the C2S which makes it a 3.8. I’m not a red car person. Give me something unique instead. As far as the interior back, brown, or red gets my vote.
It’s amazing that a car with 3k miles got an engine rebuild as part of its’ extensive maintenance.
“The car is perfect inside and out.” Uh…right.
I’d be interested to know if it runs so they could drive it out of the building and get some decent shots of the entire car.
I had a 97 C4S. What a great car!
Regarding the milage- BS! There’s no way the seat looks like that at 3K miles. What I suspect, is that the top end was rebuilt due to carbon build-up, a very common problem with the 993.
There are chambers that run parallel with the cylinders that are there to recycle gases so the car can meet emissions. They almost always clog and require that the top end is pulled to clean them. It costs about $10K to do this (if you don’t do it yourself), but once it’s done, it’s good for the life of the car.
I should have kept my C4S. :(
Those were the secondary air injection ports that would clog. I forgot about those and I believe the ones that suffered also had valve guide issues. Long debate about the lower engine tray trapping heat causing this issue as well. I know I was relieved when I measured my oil consumption to be a quart every 3K and not a quart every 800 miles.
Correct. When they clogged it would cause a dash light to come on and your car couldn’t pass emissions. It had no bearing on the performance of the car.
And, I still don’t think it’s a 3K car.
If that is 3000 original miles i would be bragging about that.
Located in:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Who owns a car like this and only drives it 3,000 miles anyway?