It was the first time the 911 had ever had a water-cooled engine and also the first to deviate from the classic round headlights. The result was a new body that stretched the previous 911’s proportions. It now was 18.5 centimeters longer, with a wheelbase lengthened by 80 millimeters, and a width that grew 3 centimeters as well. However, the changes in dimensions paled in comparison to the changes at the rear of the car. With increasingly strict emissions regulations the air-cooled engines could not keep up, so the water-cooled technology took the lead. Not only did the water-cooled cars manage better emissions, but they offered profound performance benefits as the new 3.4 Liter flat 6 put out just as much power as the legendary 3.3 Turbo. This water-cooled engine was also successful in motorsport, taking the 911 GT1 to a LeMans victory in 1998. Roughly 175,000 996’s were produced which in comparison to the 997 and 991 is quite rare with both the later generations producing well over 200,000 units each.
The 996 Carrera on offer here is a 2001 model year, chassis number is WPOAA29961S622803, and it is a rare configuration. Guards Red with full Savannah Beige leather interior and red seat belts make for a very unique and high optioned Carrera. This car also has the highly sought-after “turbo look” wheels. The car was initially delivered to Michigan and accrued all 29,360 of its miles with a single owner who is a 47 year PCA member, who in the summer of 2013 sent the car in for service at a reputable shop for the IMS Bearing that plagues many 996 generation 911s. In total, this car has roughly $9,052 in service and maintenance records. All of the glass in this example is original to the car and the Guards Red paint, which is also original, is in very good shape. Under the hood, you will find the option code sticker fully intact as well as a clean and correct front trunk area with factory spare appropriately mounted. This 996 Carrera would be best described as a well-kept, nearly new example of the early water-cooled era. Between its desirable specifications and completely sound mechanicals, this car would make a great addition to any garage or Porsche collection.
This generation of 911 marks the end of the air-cooled cars and the beginning of a new era for Porsche. While initially met with skepticism, 996 era cars are looked back on with fond eyes. As we get further away from an analog driving experience, cars like this 996 Carrera will continue to appreciate in value as a result. It is one of the few ways we can really connect with a car in this digital age. Included in the sale are the owner’s manuals, tools, jack, spare, COA, a lengthy stack of service records, and a set of roof racks.
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