1996 Porsche 911 Targa (993)

The 993 marks an unforgettable technical and emotional high point for Porsche purists. Benefiting from a full-body respray in 2018, the 'Ocean Blue' metallic paintwork presents in exceptional condition for its age, boasting a deep lustre, minimal swirling, and a perfectly even finish. While there are a few minor surface marks and light chips, most notably on the driver’s door edge alongside the occasional stone chip elsewhere, the bodywork is free of typical road wear. The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint. The car presents beautifully with a smart, cohesive body and no signs of panel damage, benefitting from the restoration of both front wings in 2021. The panels are smoothly aligned to the body with uniform shut lines, and all doors open and shut with ease. Minor, age-related imperfections are limited to the offside top of the rear wing (near the engine cover) and the lowest lips of the rear valance. The underbody is clean following a recent dry-ice cleaning treatment. The overall structure is solid, showing only light, age-related wear in places. The jacking points, wheel wells, and suspension mounts are all in good order, as are the engine bay and luggage compartment floor. We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves. The blue leather-padded dashboard is in excellent condition, with all fascia fittings, dials, switches, and controls present and working positively, aside from the heater control plate, which shows minor fractures. All controls are said to function exactly as they should, with the exception of the manual rear spoiler button. Additionally, the interior trim, door cards, and luggage area remain in good shape. Driving a Porsche 993 offers an unparalleled analogue experience. To fully appreciate its magic, you must tune into the mechanical symphony of Porsche's final air-cooled engine, which seamlessly blends the tactile feedback of a classic sports car with the usability of a modern grand tourer. On the road, the intake noise is incredibly rich and mechanical, particularly under open throttle, and it pulls smoothly, constantly encouraging you to push ahead. Thanks to the hydraulic setup, the steering is highly communicative, inspiring remarkable confidence through the corners, free of any unwanted noises. During our drive with Selina behind the wheel on behalf of the owner, Paul, the 993 rewarded us with excellent traction, confident handling, and a deeply intuitive yet comfortable ride. The engine idles smoothly at rest once warmed up with no undulations. Furthermore, over his two years of ownership, Paul reports no issues with oil pressure or engine temperature, with oil pressure consistently reading 4.5 to 5.0 bar while on the move. The glass, headlamps and seals are in good condition throughout. While the rear light lenses are in decent shape, there are a couple of fractures and signs of ageing on the rear centre reflector. All trim is complete and appears to be securely mounted, while the bumpers sit flush to the body and remain free of significant marks. The 17” 2-piece split-rim Speedlines are in good shape and present smartly with no significant marks. The front and rear of the car is fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres with the front show a spec of 205/50 and 245/40 to the rear - these are date coded from 2016. They have legal tread but show mild signs of wear on the sidewalls. Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old. The grey leather sports seats present well overall; the driver's side shows typical, age-related creasing but is free of any significant wear. While the passenger seat's centre squab requires reattaching, the seat is otherwise in good condition. The carpets and mats are complete throughout, with the driver's side showing only mild wear - well above expectations for a vehicle of this age. The engine starts immediately with its characteristic rhythmic 'gurgle', remaining entirely free of any unwanted noises. While the dashboard engine warning lights remain clear, an unrelated warning regarding the rear spoiler operation was noted during our visit. The engine is smartly presented, showing well-maintained hoses and ancillaries, all backed by a strong main dealer and Porsche specialist service history. The six-speed manual gearbox operates flawlessly, with no reports of clutch slippage or gear engagement issues. The glass roof panel is free of marks and operates flawlessly, with the wind deflector raising smoothly and the internal blind functioning exactly as it should. The car has a Aero-kit front spoiler fitted as part of the original factory specification. The rear spoiler warning light remained illuminated during our visit. Originally registered by Porsche JCT600 in Leeds in October 1996, this vehicle boasts a comprehensive service history, evidenced by 18 service stamps. An extensive history file includes invoices dating back to 2003, highlighting major work such as new front shock absorbers and a control board in 2014, a steering rack overhaul in 2015, and new front brake discs and pads in 2018. The car also benefited from a full body respray in 2018, followed by restoration work to the front wings in 2021. More recent maintenance includes brake work and new drop links fitted in 2025 and both the underside and the engine bay have recently benefited from a meticulous dry-ice cleaning treatment. Its most recent service was in June 2026 and carries an MOT valid until July 2026. It is accompanied by its complete owner’s pack and booklets, two sets of keys, past V5 certificates tracing ownership history back to 2005, and historical MOT certificates dating back to 2001. Paul told us he is having the paint chip to the drivers doors, the rear offside panel seam and nearside rear window trim detailed. Please note: The owner will retain the current ageless registration plate; the car will be sold with its previous cherished plate instead. We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check. This brought up the car has finance on it, this will be cleared by the end go the auction. We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming. If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house. The car rides smoothly, remaining entirely free of any unwanted noises, thuds, or vibrations. Benefiting from new drop links installed last year, it corners beautifully and feels firmly planted, with no creaks or squeaks detected during the test drive. The braking system inspires confidence, operating smoothly without any squeals or judders. They benefit from recent maintenance, including new rear discs fitted in 2025, while the front discs and pads were previously renewed in 2018. The blue leather steering wheel shows mild wear along the rim, with a similar wear noted on the gear lever; however, neither distracts from the overall well-preserved and positive condition of the cabin.