Classic Sports Cars

1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 6-Speed

Porsche’s 1995 911—or the 993 generation—advanced technology and performance, but in many ways remained true to the rear-engined sports car that launched in 1965.

The 993 was much improved over and quite different from its predecessor. According to Porsche, every part of the car was designed from the ground up, including the engine and only 20% of its parts were carried over from the previous generation. Porsche refers to the 993 as “a significant advance, not just from a technical, but also a visual perspective.” Porsche’s engineers devised a new light-alloy subframe with coil and wishbone suspension (an all new multi-link system, Weissach axle), putting behind the previous lift-off oversteer and making significant progress with the engine and handling, creating a more civilized car overall and providing an improved driving experience. The 993 was also the first 911 to receive a six speed transmission.

This 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe was subsequently fitted with aftermarket bodywork by tuner Akira Nakai of RWB. The car has been refinished in gray over black upholstery and is powered by an air-cooled 3.6L flat-six features Bosch Motronic engine management and has been fitted with an FD Motorsports Stage 3 exhaust system, a heater blower motor bypass pipe, and RS-style motor mounts.

Staggered-width 18″ Rotiform modular wheels are finished in black and mounted with 265/35 front and 335/30 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires showing 2010 date codes. Braking is handled by cross-drilled and ventilated discs with black-finished calipers at all four corners.

The interior has been fitted with Recaro Profi XL fixed-back bucket seats with body-color shells that are trimmed in black cloth and mounted with aluminum side mounts. The factory headliner, pillar trim, and rear seats have been removed, and appointments include an FD Motorsports Golden Rod and shifter bushings, a black felt headliner, a radio delete plate, and an RS-style shift knob, door panels, and carpets. A Rennline lower dash delete kit, front floor covering, and aluminum pedal covers have also been installed. A 340mm FVD airbag steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation that includes a central tachometer, a 180-mph speedometer, an analog clock, and auxiliary gauges.

Would we offend someone if we called the Porsche 911 a religious icon? Probably. But clearly, the 911 doctrinethe gospel according to Ferdinandkeeps packing ‘em into the pews. The Stuttgart sect of the sports-car faithful observes its longstanding tradition (30 years of production), inviolable orthodoxy (the rear-mounted, air-cooled engine), mysterious rituals (turn the ignition key with your left hand), and canonical law (don’t lift in a corner!). If that doesn’t quite qualify as a religion, it’s a mighty powerful shared enthusiasm.

About the only thing the new Carrera doesn’t do more successfully than its predecessor is drain your bank balance. Remarkably, Porsche has cut $5000 from its suggested base price, down to 63 grand with luxury tax. All together now: “Hallelujah!”