1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet Six-Speed

Description

While most attribute Porsche’s epic 30-year run of success to the Cayenne or perhaps the Boxster, what most overlook is the sales successes of the 993-generation (1995-1998) 911 in advance of the introduction of either of those two very successful models. At their nadir in 1993, Porsche sold just 3,713 vehicles in the US and Canada. Dire times indeed, especially with three distinct models 968, 964, and 928 comprising the lineup. Dire enough, in fact, that Porsche was considering bankruptcy. Yet, just five years later, with a model line consisting of only two models (993 and Boxster) Porsche sold almost five times as many cars, closing their 1998 US and Canada ledger with 18,207 total sales with 7,547 of them being 993s. An incredible turn around, due to the sales successes of the most elegant of all air-cooled 911s, the 993-generation.

When design work began for the new 993 in 1991 Porsche touted the current 964-generation (1990-1994) 911 as over 85 percent new, “but visually it looked barely 20 percent new” according to Tony Hatter. Hatter, lead of the new 993 design team, set out to make many visual and aerodynamic enhancements over the previous generation 911. Following Ferdinand Porsche’s mantra, “Change is easy. Improvement is far more difficult,” Hatter and his team set out to improve the bumpers as they were “too bulbous” and unbalanced from front to rear on the 964. They smoothed the headlights to mimic the 959s while maintaining the classic 911 front fender profile and added width to the rear fenders. When the new 911 Coupe and Cabriolet debuted at the 1993 Frankfurt Autoshow Porsche knew they had a sales success on their hands with the newest generation of the evergreen 911. 

Highlights 

• A long-term two-owner example with current ownership since 1998 

• Six-speed manual transmission 

• The most expensive variant of the naturally aspirated Porsche 911 offered in 1996 

• 2011 repaint by Stuttgart Auto Shop of Denver, Colorado in its original color of non-metallic Black 

• Offered with a Black “LT” interior with partial leather 

• Features unique to the 911 Carrera 4 when new: 

  • All-wheel drive with viscous center clutch. Solid torque tube connects rear engine/transaxle to front differential 

  • Dynamic driving differential system (ABD, 25% / 40% LSD) 

  • 17 inch wheel and tire package 

  • Shift knob pattern titanium colored 

  • Brake calipers titanium colored 

  • Wheel centers with “Carrera 4” designation 

• Kenwood KDC-X998 CD Receiver with built-in Bluetooth & HD Radio 

• MB Quart rear speakers 

• Consistent servicing at Stevenson Imports, now Porsche Littleton most recently completing a PPI in March 2024 and remedying various issues that included: a sticky convertible top, a loose window switch, a loose interior light, and a minor oil leak. 

Features 

• Optioned from new with the following equipment: 

  • 329  - Cassette-radio Becker Porsche CR-210 

  • 437  - 8-way electrical seat, left 

  • 445 - Wheel caps (Steel Grey) with colored Porsche crest 

  • 454 - Cruise 

  • 490 - Sound system 

• 3.6-liter 282 horsepower air-cooled flat-six 

• 250 lb-ft of torque at 5,250 rpm 

• Single overhead camshaft 

• DME M2.10 electronic fuel injection 

• Zero to 60 mph: 5.2 seconds 

• Top track speed: 168 mph 

• Ventilated and cross-drilled discs 

• Speed activated rear decklid spoiler 

• Hydraulically assisted rack and pinion steering 

• Front independent MacPherson strut  

• Rear independent multi-link suspension 

Known Imperfections 

• The CARFAX Vehicle History Report notes “minor damage” in August 2015. The consignor notes that this was to replace the lower front valance under the front bumper due to pulling over a curb when parking. 

• Scraping under the front bumper 

• Tear in the driver’s seat bolster 

• Driver's door seal is in need of replacement 

• Missing cover place for one of the four console cassette holders 

• Missing center console dummy switch plug 

• Odometer repair noted in June of 2020 

Included 

• Owner’s manuals 

• Toolkit 

• Air compressor 

• Jack 

• Boot cover 

Ownership History

Completed at Porsche in September 1995, this Carrera 4 Cabriolet first shows ownership in New Jersey. According to its CARFAX Vehicle History Report, by 1998, the car landed with its second owner and current consignor in Colorado. Under their long-term ownership, the consignor notes that the car has always been garaged during their ownership and features a repaint in its original color in 2011.