The Last Air-Cooled 911 and Its Special Significance

The 1998 Porsche 911 holds a special place for Porsche enthusiasts because it was the final 911 model equipped with an air-cooled engine. Especially the Type 993 models produced between 1995 and 1998 are considered the pinnacle of the air-cooled 911 lineage and have recently gained strong popularity among Porsche collectors.

Amid this, a 993 Turbo S recently attracted attention when it was listed at a Bonhams auction. This particular car is one of the final air-cooled 911s produced and is claimed to be the very last air-cooled 911 to leave the factory. At the auction held on September 7, it sold for £614,200 (approximately 113.5 million yen), including fees.

A Host of Special Features

This 993 Turbo S (chassis number: WP0ZZZ99ZWS370750) was built by Porsche’s special order division, Sonderwunsch. While there were two factory performance upgrade packages available for the 993 Turbo S, this car was equipped with the higher-performance “WLS 2” package.

The WLS 2 package includes a larger KKK K24 turbocharger, boosting the maximum output to 444 horsepower. Additionally, it features a twin-pipe muffler, an extra oil cooler, and a large 92-liter fuel tank, among other special equipment.

Photo by Bonhams

The interior is also thoroughly customized, unified in ocean blue to match the body color. Even the instrument cluster bezels are finished entirely in blue.

Photo by Bonhams

A Car with a Unique Personality

The special order was placed by German author Klaus Vanderborg. He reflected his personal tastes by removing features like the car phone and rear wiper. Furthermore, a metal plaque engraved with “In memoriam Prof Ferry Porsche” is mounted on the dashboard, accompanied by a quote from a popular 1944 film.

Photo by Bonhams

The side sills are engraved with the words “The Last Waltz,” and the same phrase appears on a sticker on the rear window. These decorations offer a glimpse into the owner’s distinctive character.

A Sale Price Below Expectations and Its Background

Although the final sale price of over £614,200 greatly exceeds the typical valuation for a 993 Turbo S, it fell short of the auction house’s estimated range of £700,000 to £800,000 (about 130 to 150 million yen).

According to overseas media, until last year, cars with unique histories and extensive options—one-of-a-kind models—were thought to be less affected by the downturn in the collector market. However, the results of this 993 Turbo S auction suggest that even the highest-end examples cannot completely escape broader market trends.

The location and context of the auction are also important factors. This auction was held in conjunction with the Goodwood Revival event, famous for cars from the 1940s to 1960s. Had this car been auctioned alongside other Porsches from the same era, the outcome might have been different.

That said, considering the low mileage of around 11,000 km and the fact that it is one of the most popular 1990s air-cooled 911 models, the sale price of over 100 million yen is by no means low.

Photo by Bonhams

In Japan, prices for air-cooled Porsches have been skyrocketing recently, and because they are quickly flowing overseas no matter how high the price, it has become increasingly difficult to find good examples. Judging from this trend, the asset value of air-cooled Porsches remains strong and is likely to continue rising over the long term.