A dutchman’s poster story – Porsche 993 Turbo

We at Elferspot Magazine are always happy to talk to Porsche enthusiasts from all over the world about what sparked their passion for Porsche sports cars. After all, it is often precisely these stories that connect us enthusiasts and lead to many friendships over the years. This time I got together with Peter Geurts (@petervroem) for the Elferspot Porsche Talk. Peter has fulfilled his childhood dream of owning a Porsche 993 Turbo.

Would you please introduce yourself to our readers, Peter?

Of course! My name is Peter Geurts, born in 1980 and living in Nijmegen, Gelderland. Until very recently, I was in charge of two major dutch tech websites. I started in 2006 with an iPhone focused website called iPhoned.nl and later on AndroidPlanet.nl. My mission was to get people into mobile tech, from tips and tricks to unboxing and dealing with technical issues. But after fifteen years, it was time to do something else. So a year ago, I sold my internet publishing company. I am now self-employed, working as an internet strategy consultant for online companies and publishers.

And as I was always into cars, I set myself a very specific target. I wanted to gather my personal automotive icons from the 90s, 2000s and 2010s. 

Peter Geurts

That meant, that I can divide my time a little easier. And as I was always into cars, I set myself a very specific target. I wanted to gather my personal automotive icons from the 90s, 2000s and 2010s. What started with a BMW 1-series M Coupé (in Valencia Orange!), has now led to a BMW M3 CSL and – probably the most interesting of the trio – a Porsche 993 Turbo WLS 2. So within just three months, I would call the mission complete.

Wow, that escalated quickly! What got you into cars in the first place?

You know, it all started at a very young age. With video games like Test Drive 1 & 2, to be specific. I found it amazing that you could “test drive” sports cars you could never own there, like a Ferrari Testarossa or a Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3. I was so much into cars, that on some occasions, I took my bike and went to town, just to see if I could spot a cool car. Just like the kids today, but without a camera.

I had a Porsche 993 as a poster on my bedroom wall at the time. When I pulled up my blanket, I always imagined sitting in that very car. And way before I was able to legally drive a car, I was reading all car magazines available, went every week to the local library for that. I knew the specs of all the cars and had to get my hands on as many as possible. So I asked a local garage, if I was allowed to wash their cars, when I was 13 or 14. And guess what, they let me do it!

So you’ve been a Porsche enthusiast from the get-go?

To be honest, I wasn’t. As much as I adored the 993 on my bedroom wall, Porsche hasn’t really been on my map, when I grew older. There was no Porsche driver in my family, as it was dominated by Saabs and Audis. So my focus shifted towards Audi as well. I was always impressed by their build quality and the timeless designs. They have always been a bit ahead of their time. But that’s true for BMW, Mercedes and Porsche as well, if you ask me. All of them had very classy lines and aged exceptionally well.

But when I grew up, I drove several BMW’s and got more into Porsches. Freek Janssen, the brother of my childhood friend started working for Porsche Center Gelderland. Later on he became the manager of the newly opened Porsche Classic Center Gelderland. Often I visited his showroom, saw the classic 911s and told him that I would buy one when it became possible.  It was around that time, that a Porsche 993 Turbo model car found its place on my desk. I always liked its elegant front and the very masculine looking rear end of the Turbo. Its minimalistic approach outside and inside, combined with the iconic aircooled sound just strikes me.

In the end, you fulfilled your dream and bought a Porsche 993 Turbo WLS 2 (X51). Congratulations!

Thanks, and I am very grateful for being able to do so! At first I wanted a Porsche 993 Carrera S/4S. But I have always been too late. The cars, I liked, were always sold within days and hours. Two months ago, I was totally committed. I told myself that whenever I see a nice one, I will drop the pen and go there immediately. At that time, I saw a Porsche 993 Turbo on Dutch plates on Elferspot’s Instagram account. It still had the original plates, which it got in 1995 when it was registered new. In the Netherlands that shows that the car has never left the country, as the plates remain on the car for its entire lifespan.

This particular Porsche 993 Turbo was a three-owner car with a very rich service history. As I learned later, it also had a retro-fitted WLS 2 package. You may laugh at me, but at the time I had no clue, what that meant. I had to look it up, first. As you know, I completely fell in love with the car. I called my friend from Gelderland. He told me that it was a good car on paper. I instantly made an appointment with the seller Amsterdam Car Company (ACC). I went there and noticed, that already guys from abroad came over to check the car. I was a bit surprised about the attention it had drawn, as I wasn’t that much into the classic Porsche market at the time.

Wait, you wanted to buy a Carrera and ended up with a Porsche 993 Turbo WLS by accident?

I know, that it sounds a bit strange, especially considering the difference in prices. But when I saw that car on your instagram page, I remembered my bedroom wall and the little car on my desk. I had to follow my heart. There was one slight problem I had with it however. You probably know the saying “Never meet your childhood heroes”.

It relates to the car world as well, as you’re often left a bit disappointed after driving your childhood dream car for the first time. As I have never driven a classic Porsche before, I was very much afraid of that. At ACC I then went for a test drive, which really made me nervous. The ergonomics were a bit weird for a start. And as I use a Tesla Model 3 Performance as a daily driver, I feared disappointment according the acceleration.

As I have never driven a classic Porsche before, I was very much afraid of that.

Peter Geurts

But it didn’t disappoint?!

To be honest, it was the exact opposite of what I expected. I really love the sound, the power and especially the smell. Its acceleration is still immense. When the Turbos spool up, it really shifts. The first feeling under acceleration was mind blowing. All the talks about feeling the kick in your back in an aircooled 911 Turbo, they’re true!

I wasn’t disappointed at all. It was all I hoped for and nothing I feared of. So during the drive back home from Amsterdam I phoned the owner, to agree on a deal. I told him, that I’d buy the car, but only after a pre purchase inspection at Porsche Classic Center in Heteren. Besides some very minor things, everything was in good condition, the car was perfect. As I wanted to do this once in a lifetime, I was fine with spending so much money on a car. I just fell in love, so the budget was secondary. Hence, I agreed on the deal and bought it.

What are your plans with your Porsche 993 Turbo in the future? Is there another car on your list?

Well I achieved my mission to collect three iconic cars this year which are all in mint condition. There are some other iconic cars on my bucket list, but I first want to drive these more often next season and also let others enjoy them by showing them to the public (on meetups or other events). Inside myself, I feel some sort of a mission to preserve them and save a bit of automotive history in the country.

The positive feedback of other car lovers is great, as they often give me a thumbs up or make photos of the car. Hence, I started my instagram account @petervroem. There I can share all the adventures with my cars and connect to other enthusiasts and collectors. Of course, I love driving the cars, but I like seeing the reactions they create at meetups in equal measure. It’s very interesting that most people don’t care as much about the newer stuff and prefer the older icons.

Another thing that I really like about my little fleet is, that I really enjoy the huge contrast between them. The Tesla is a bit like an iPad. It’s very functional, clean, digital, it can even drive on its own! Driving the Porsche almost feels like a dial telephone in contrast. That analog experience, being in command of everything by yourself is an amazing feeling. And even though I am very aware of my own carbon footprint, I still think those icons need to be shown and preserved. They are a testimony of progress. And with the very little mileage I’m doing, its ecological impact is negligible.

What was your favourite reaction to your cars then?

I recently went to a car meet with my BMW M3 CSL (2003). It has drawn quite a lot of attention there. Soon afterwards I got a DM on Instagram with a photo of it. The guy who sent it to me, Maks, told me, that he would love to do a photo session with my car. So I looked into his feed and was really impressed with his work. We then agreed on an appointment with the 993 at his place. When I arrived at the address, there was a 16 year old boy with a huge camera. I didn’t expect that, at all. But it reminded me of my younger self, as I was at a similar age, when I started washing cars.

He loves cars and already started a business around his passion, which is fascinating. His father drove him around and we went to an industrial estate. He took a lot of photos and after finishing the static shots, he said “Let’s do some rolling shots now”. Then we drove around, with me closely following a VW Polo with a teenager in the boot, taking pictures while hanging out of it. It honestly scared me a bit, but everything went very well. In the end, Maks told me, that he doesn’t like classic cars, but he really fancies this one.

After we finished, I met up with some friends in a pub around the block. I told them about the experience and while sitting there, I got a message by Maks, stating that my photos are ready. That was just eight hours after we met! The second I saw them, I was blown away. It felt like I was impersonating the poster I had on my bedroom wall almost 30 years ago. My poster story came true, so to speak. I am still thrilled and thankful for that. And Maks did an amazing job there.

Peter, it was a pleasure! And be sure, we’ll follow your journey!

Pleasure was all mine, thanks fo having me!

© for all images: MKS.VISUALS

Fancy a Porsche 993 Turbo now? Have a look at these beauties for sale on Elferspot!

View all

Meet our contributor

Richard Lindhorst is our chief-editor and lives in Northern Germany. He thinks about cars and bikes almost 24/7. If you’ve got a story for him, or just want to get in touch, feel free to contact him on his Instagram (@rchrdlndhrst).