Porsche 993 Targa

There are certain cars that need no introduction. The 993 is one of them.

Widely regarded as the sweet spot of the 911 lineage, it represents the end of an era—the last hand-built, air-cooled Porsche 911. The unmistakable whirr of the flat-six, the beautifully weighted steering and that uniquely mechanical driving experience are things Porsche simply couldn’t replicate once water cooling arrived.

Finished in timeless Polar Silver Metallic over a beautifully preserved Light Grey leather interior, this factory six-speed manual Targa has covered 113,202 miles and is exactly the sort of honest, well-maintained example we’d happily keep ourselves. Unlike many collector cars that have spent years hiding under dust covers, this 993 has been enjoyed and maintained exactly as Porsche intended.

It comes with an extensive maintenance history documenting years of careful ownership and significant expenditure, including a quality repaint in 2018 that still presents beautifully today. Since arriving in Ireland the car has continued to receive the attention it deserves, including new rear shock absorbers and, importantly, a full Targa roof rebuild just two years ago, complete with new cables.

Anyone familiar with 993 Targas will know this is one of the biggest jobs you can carry out—and one you’ll hopefully never have to worry about again. As part of the sale we will also carry out a major engine-out service, ensuring the next owner receives the car exactly as it should be. It’s an expensive job, but one we believe is simply part of preparing a proper Porsche.

Specification is exactly what you’d hope for. The desirable factory Sports Seats offer noticeably better support than the standard chairs while remaining incredibly comfortable over long distances. Combined with the six-speed manual gearbox and the panoramic Targa roof, it creates one of the most usable and enjoyable 993s Porsche ever produced. On the road this car reminds you why the 993 has become such a benchmark.

The steering is beautifully alive, the gearshift is precise, the suspension feels composed and the air-cooled flat-six pulls cleanly throughout the rev range with that unmistakable soundtrack only a naturally aspirated Porsche can produce. It’s one of those rare cars that actually encourages you to take the long way home.

The market has also begun to recognise just how special the 993 Targa really is. Produced in far smaller numbers than the Coupe and Cabriolet, good manual examples have become increasingly difficult to source, with values continuing to strengthen as collectors search for the best air-cooled cars available.

Anyone can buy another modern sports car with touchscreens, driving modes and a warranty. Only one of them lets you slide open an enormous glass roof, listen to an air-cooled flat-six behind you and experience the last chapter of Porsche’s analogue era.

Some cars appreciate because they’re fashionable. The 993 appreciates because Porsche got it right.