- This 993 Turbo boasts the coveted WLS 2 upgrade, featuring a more powerful engine and a larger fuel tank.
- The stunning blue exterior is beautifully complemented by a luxurious Night Blue leather interior.
- This was the final air-cooled 911 to leave Porsche’s factory, adding to its value and desirability.
It’s been 26 years since the final air-cooled Porsche 911 rolled off the assembly line, and yet, enthusiasts continue to wax lyrical about 911s from this era and how great they were. Earlier this month, one of the last air-cooled 911s built crossed the auction block, selling for over $800,000 and proving that demand for these vehicles remains sky-high.
The car in question is a 1998 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe, bearing chassis number WP0ZZZ99ZWS370750. This particular 993 rolled off the assembly line on March 27, 1998, just four days before the scheduled end of air-cooled production. Although it wasn’t the final air-cooled car built— that honor goes to a Carrera 4S sold to none other than Jerry Seinfeld— this model was said to be the last one to leave the factory.
Read: Stolen Porsche 993 Turbo Found After Six Years Of Neglect Deserves Restoration
You see, after its production, the Turbo was sent to Porsche’s exclusive Sonderwunsch department, where it underwent a six-month transformation featuring a host of custom touches. Adding to its desirability is the rare WLS 2 upgrade, which boosts the engine to a robust 444 hp. This upgrade also includes a strut brace, twin tailpipes, an extra oil cooler, and an impressive 92-liter fuel tank—making this vehicle not just a collector’s item, but a serious performer.
The experts at the Sonderwunsch facility added Night Blue leather in the cabin and even finished the dials in blue. A unique dashboard plaque reading “In Memoriam Prof. Ferry Porsche” adds a touch of nostalgia, while the side sills proudly display the phrase “The Last Waltz.” Delivered to its original owner on September 5, 1998, the car comes complete with a letter confirming it as the final air-cooled 911 to leave the factory.
Bonhams managed the recent sale and had anticipated a final price between £700,000 ($933,000) and £800,000 ($1.07 million). However, the auction fell short of those expectations, with the car trading hands for £614,200 ($818,000). Still, let’s not be too harsh—this price is impressive, easily surpassing the previous high of £324,000 ($432,000) for a non-S 993 Turbo model in December last year.
However, as pointed out by Hagerty, this isn’t the absolute record for a 993; that title goes to the “Project Gold,” a 993 Turbo Classic Series crafted two decades later from OEM parts specifically to raise funds for charity, pulling in an eye-watering $3,415,000.
