The car is finished in a sleek Arctic Silver with a black leather interior – a classic combination that, like a well-tailored suit, never goes out of style. And it's a manual, because of course it is. Driving a manual is like making coffee: it's just more satisfying.
The Porsche 911 Targa from the 993 series is a real beauty. The last hurrah of the air-cooled 911s and a small rarity with its Targa top, which was available from 1995. It's like stumbling across a rare butterfly in the garden, whose uniqueness you just have to admire.
Well, Porsche, in its wisdom, decided that the classic Targa, with its quaint, manually operated folding roof, was a bit too old-fashioned for the modern age. They wanted something that was a bit more… modern. Their big idea? A large glass sunroof that slid cleverly under the rear window when you wanted to feel the wind in your hair. Even with this new-fangled roof, the car retained its coupe silhouette whether the roof was stowed or firmly closed. "That's progress," Porsche probably said.
Picture credit: Porsche
But here's the rub: We suspect Porsche slightly misjudged Targa enthusiasts' affection for the traditional Targa look – the iconic bow tie. Historically, about 40% of 911s sold were Targas, a testament to its popularity. But the 993 Targa, despite sharing the same name, hasn't garnered quite the same level of admiration. Was it too far ahead of its time? Or did it stray too far from the Targa path? That's a subject for a long and probably fairly civilized debate.
Now for the details. The Porsche 993 needs no lecture on quality or engineering prowess. This last air-cooled maestro was fitted with visual and technical updates, such as the rather clever multi-link rear suspension. These features still make it a tempting choice for enthusiasts today. In addition, many believe that the Harm Lagaay design, with its flatter front fenders, almost horizontal ellipsoid headlights and rounded rear, represents the pinnacle of 911 beauty.
The heart of this machine is a 3.6-liter boxer engine that produces 286 hp. With the glass roof open, the characteristic rumble of the engine fills the interior, a symphony for the car lover. A 993 Targa? Why not, indeed.
Here is a brief overview of the Porsche 993 Targa (1995 to 1997):
A new body: The torsional rigidity of the body has been increased by 20%. It feels as if it was carved from a single block.
Revised Targa roof: The old Targa bar has disappeared, the glass sliding roof is there. The coupe look is retained, regardless of whether the roof is open or closed.
A new multi-link rear axle: This new system received top marks for driving stability and agility.
In short: the 993 Targa is a bit like a finely aged wine – complex, a little surprising and thoroughly delicious.
This Porsche 993 Targa is quite a fascinating piece of machinery. It's a bit like discovering an unopened bottle of wine in your cellar – you know it's going to be good.
This 993 Targa was first registered in March 1997 in beautiful Aachen. It's a bit like finding a rare stamp in the attic; it's not just any old Porsche, it's a piece of history. The odometer shows a modest 58,000 km, which is considered barely run in in the world of treasured Porsches. It has passed through three pairs of hands, although it's all in the family – a bit like a treasured family recipe passed down through generations.
The car is finished in a sleek Arctic Silver with a black leather interior – a classic combination that, like a well-tailored suit, never goes out of style. And it's a manual, because of course it is. Driving a manual is like making coffee: it's just more satisfying.
Picture credit: Porsche
The last service was in 2021 and since then it has been kept like a precious jewel in a safe at Drivershall in Berlin. It has not been driven since then, but it has been properly stored and checked occasionally to keep everything in impeccable condition.
The ownership of the 993 is crystal clear. It started with its first owner in 1997, then changed hands in 2006 and was finally passed on within the family in 2017. All papers are in order, including the old vehicle documents, some workshop invoices and TÜV receipts from 2006 to 2021. The last major maintenance, which cost the owner 1,921 euros, was carried out at the Porsche Center in Cologne.
Since April 2021, the car has been in a kind of automotive hibernation in Berlin, kept dry and pampered and occasionally stirred to make sure everything still works as it should. The paintwork is believed to be completely original and there is no known damage. It's like finding an old book in perfect condition; it's rare and it's special.
A recent report by Classic Analytics rated the car as being in 2-
In conclusion, this Porsche 993 Targa is not just a car. It is a piece of automotive history, a well-preserved artifact that tells a story of careful ownership and mechanical integrity. Just the thought of it makes any car lover's heart beat faster.
