Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 146
1998 Porsche 911 Type 993 Turbo XLC Coupe VIN. WP0ZZZ99ZWS370376
Sold for US$246,400 inc. premium
Lot 146
One of 276 with the 'XLC' 450bhp engine option
1998 Porsche 911 Type 993 Turbo XLC Coupe
1998 Porsche 911 Type 993 Turbo XLC Coupe
1998 Porsche 911 Type 993 Turbo XLC Coupe
VIN. WP0ZZZ99ZWS370376
VIN. WP0ZZZ99ZWS370376
3,600cc SOHC Flat-6
Twin K24 Turbochargers with Bosch Motronic 5.2 Fuel Injection
450hp at 6,000rpm
6-Speed Manual Transaxle with All-Wheel Drive
Front MacPherson Struts, Multi-link Rear Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*1 of just 276 Type 993 Turbos with the factory 'XLC' 450hp option (see text)
*Akin to a 993 GT2 with the all-wheel drive system of a Turbo S
*A visceral driving experience not for the faint of heart
*Delivered new to Germany
*Brought to the U.S. by the consignor in 2022 with a subsequent $50k mechanical refresh
*Highly optioned with practically every interior leather code checked
*A coveted cult classic representing the swansong for air-cooled Porsches
THE PORSCHE 993
An important landmark in the Porsche 911's continuing development arrived for 1994 with the introduction of the Type 993, destined to be the last to use the air-cooled engine that had been a distinguishing feature of the 911 since its introduction 30 years previously. Over the years the 911 had received numerous aerodynamic and safety-inspired add-ons, diluting the purity of the original form in the eyes of some. The 993's arrival marked a return to basic principles, being recognizably a 911 but one in which all functions had been harmoniously integrated in a truly outstanding example of modern automotive styling. The Type 993 is regarded by many as the most beautiful 911 of all.
Along with sleeker bodywork came a new multi-link rear suspension that improved both ride quality and roadholding, reducing the 911's characteristic lift-off oversteer. The 3.6-litre engine not only produced more power than before but made it available over a wider rev range thanks to 'Variocam' variable valve timing and variable-length air intakes. Introduced in 1995, the Type 993 Turbo was the first Porsche production model to feature a twin-turbo-charged engine and the first 911 Turbo to incorporate permanent four-wheel drive. With 300kW (402bhp) on tap, the Type 993 Turbo offered a level of performance approaching that of the Porsche 959 supercar, racing to 62mph (100km/h) in around 4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 180mph (290km/h).
By 1997, Porsche introduced a limited-edition Turbo S version of the Type 993, which came with an additional 24bhp for a total of 444bhp courtesy of a remapped ECU. This was offered alongside the very limited production GT2, the homologated street version of Porsche's venerable race car of the era. Lesser known is the 'XLC Turbo Powerkit' option that could be added to base Turbo models increasing horsepower to 450bhp and essentially creating what some would refer to as an incognito amalgamation of the Turbo S and GT2.
THE CAR OFFERED
According to production records, this 'Paint-to-Sample' Metallic Night Blue over Midnight Blue leather, 6-speed manual-equipped Porsche 993 Turbo was produced in April of 1998 and delivered new in Germany where it remained for most of its life, subsequently making its way to the United States under the current owner's tenure in 2022. A highly optioned example, it's equipped with the one-year-only XLC (WLS2) 'Turbo Powerkit' adding massive KKK K24 turbochargers and an additional twenty horsepower over the previous WLS1option, elevating the car to the status of the ultra-rare (22 units) 450hp GT2 Evo road car, but with all-wheel drive. Besides the XLC/WLS2 power upgrade, other notable options include the lowered sport suspension kit (X73), an additional oil cooler up front (XE7), twin-pipe exhaust ends (XLB), just about every interior leather option offered, and one of the most expensive and rarest of them all – the high-end navigation system (XEF). According to Gabriel and Franz's definitive book on air-cooled 911 Turbos – "Porsche 911 Turbo: The Aircooled Years 1975-1998", just 266 LHD and 10 RHD examples were built with the XLC/WLS2 'Turbo Powerkit', and none were destined for U.S. shores.
The car was acquired by the consignor (a California collector of rare and desirable air-cooled Porsches) in March 2022 in Paris, after it was in long-term static display. It was shipped directly to Canton, Connecticut, where the experts at Automobile Associates of Canton Inc were entrusted to handle a no-expense-spared $50k mechanical refresh. At the same time, both bumpers were refinished, and a subsequent high-quality paint correction and ceramic coating were conducted to elevate it to the level seen today, with only slight imperfections in the paint and minor wear to the interior. The work was completed in 2024 with receipts on file.
The car is now being offered with 134,500km (83,390mi) on the odometer, a clean Montana title, and a history file containing a copy of the original service booklet stamped initially by the Porsche factory and subsequently by various dealers into the early 2000s. The file also contains copies of sundry invoices, factory build sheets, guarantee certificates, radio code and the 2006 purchase invoice relating to its acquisition by the previous vendor from HCC International, Köln. The car also comes with an original German Zulassungsbescheinigung Tiel (part) I and II registration document.
After a long journey to get it to where it is today, this exceedingly rare and achingly desirable 993 Turbo 'XLC 450hp' needs nothing but a new owner to push the limits of what is possible.
Footnotes
Please note, due to California emissions laws, this vehicle may only be sold to an out-of-state resident for use outside the state of California or to a licensed automotive dealer.
Additional information
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