1998 Porsche 993 911 Turbo S

As Porsche's air-cooled chapter approached its closing stanza in 1998, Zuffenhausen penned an unforgettable final verse: the Type 993 911 Turbo S. 

Produced in strictly limited numbers by Porsche Exclusive, this swan song of the 993 generation was a curated farewell to three decades of air-cooled road and race dominance and a no expense spared parting gift to the marque’s most discerning clientele.

And what a farewell it was. Just 435 examples of the 993 Turbo S were produced, making it one of the rarest 911s ever built. 

Each one was adorned with a series of seemingly innocuous option codes 09981, 09991 and 09121 that to the marque’s most devoted disciples, signal something far more special: a car removed from standard production and transferred to the hallowed Werk 1 site to be hand-finished by Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur department. 

Each 993 Turbo S was a bespoke build. A unique aerodynamic package featured front air intakes for improved brake cooling, a larger rear spoiler with integrated air-intakes, and integrated rear side air-intakes lifted directly from the Type 959 supercar. 

The sports suspension was lowered by 15 millimetres at the rear, four distinctive stainless steel tailpipes underscore the vehicle’s performance credentials and the lightweight alloy wheels were finished in a one-off colour called Titanium Silver, housing the Porsche high-performance hallmark “Big Yellow” Brembo brakes that signalled the presence of the uprated braking system taken from the Type 993 GT2. 

Inside, a harmonious blend of leather and extended carbon fibre defines the cabin. The perforated roof lining, sports steering wheel, and even the smallest trim elements like the air-vents and tweeters are finished in fine leather, while the instrument panel, gear lever, door cards, steering wheel and handbrake feature precision-crafted carbon fibre inlays—uniting form and function in unmistakably Porsche fashion. This is arguably Porsches finest made interior within its 93-year history.

Most importantly though, under the engine lid sits the uprated 3.6-litre twin-turbocharged Boxer flat-six, mated to a permanent all-wheel-drive system, that develops 450hp and 585Nm – up from 408hp in the standard Turbo thanks to larger K24 turbochargers and revised Bosch Motronic engine-management to handle the increase in power.

Period demand was feverish and in fact, all 435 cars were spoken for before production had even begun.

Performance was staggering even by modern standards: 0–100km/h in 3.7 seconds, a top speed of 296km/h, and immense torque across the rev range. In period, Autocar magazine described it as having "effortless speed that seems to shrink continents". But what makes the 993 Turbo S so revered is not just its pace, its rarity or exclusivity but its era defining blend of analogue tactility and modern competence.

Over the years, we have been fortunate enough to handle the sale of 20 percent of the 11 Australian allocated Turbo S’s and the car offered here is among the finest examples we have encountered. 

Completed in March of 1998 and delivered new via Lancaster Porsche Centre to a well-known fashion retailer based in London just one month later, this superb Type 993 Turbo S was ordered in the quintessential launch combination of Arctic Silver Metallic (X1X1) over Black leather and painted hardback sports seats, set off by yellow seat belts matching its Big Yellow Brembo brake calipers. A specification chosen, we suspect, with brochure in hand.

Serviced regularly by Porsche UK in its early years, the car was imported privately to Australia in 2009 where it continued to be maintained by Porsche Centre Brisbane and later, a respected marque specialist. In 2014, this car was headhunted by a collector and repatriated to the UK, becoming the cornerstone of the significant Owen collection, known for his unrivalled Porsche Turbo portfolio: ten 930’s, four 964’s and three 993’s. Then, in 2021, the car changed hands once more, returning to Australia to join the stable of another Porsche enthusiast, stored along-side a treasure trove of Porsche’s greats.

Under current ownership, this car has recently benefitted from an exhaustive $130,000 recommissioning completed by Porsche Centre Melbourne, Australia’s only Porsche Classic Partner. The detailed works included a full engine reseal, suspension and brakes overhaul, underbody ice-blasting, and a meticulous refresh of interior components. Every outstanding item was addressed, with absolute care taken to preserve originality and ensure longevity. The result is a car that both drives and presents like few others.

Travelled just under 55,000 miles from new and accompanied by its original stamped service book with original manuals all held in the Porsche embossed leather wallet, a thick history file closely documenting each chapter of its transcontinental life, a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, MOT records from its time in the UK, and detailed service invoices including the recent factory refurbishment , this 993 Turbo S is complemented by the kind of documentation that not only reinforces its provenance but also speaks to a life of careful stewardship.

To the enthusiast, this is the holy grail of air-cooled Porsche. Low production, carefully preserved provenance, expert maintenance and a recent no-expense-spared rejuvenation by factory-trained hands. It's ready to be enjoyed.

To the collector, it's the final punctuation of the air-cooled chapter, the zenith of Porsche’s analogue performance cars and the last halo car of the air-cooled lineage. A performance benchmark and a technical tour de force.

Today, the 993 Turbo S is widely regarded as a totem of Porsche excellence, the bookend to a golden era, yet still full of visceral charm. 

In a modern world increasingly defined by electrification, turbo lag and filtered driver engagement, the purity of the 993 Turbo S shines brighter than ever, and each time one exchanges hands, it generally fetches a greater sum than the last.

Everyone who has experienced Porsche Turbo technology carries their own story. With this remarkably documented and wonderfully original Halo model 993 Turbo S, the question is simple, what will yours be?