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New member/Dad’s Legacy: 1996 6-speed 993 Carrera (C2). Pristine. Only 15.8k miles.
I just did my first post in the “new member welcome area.” And I’m reposting it here, because it’s 993-specific. Hope you enjoy it. So happy to be part of this community.
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Hi, all. Sorry in advance for this longform post, but I think my new-to-me 993 deserves a little bit of a story.
I’m a new member. I have mixed feelings writing this, because good things sometimes come from tough circumstances.
My dad recently passed away, at the age of 88. He had a *very* good and happy life, and if one can speak of a “good” death, he also passed away relatively quietly and peacefully, after an illness. I loved him very much.
I have two older brothers, but of the three of us, I was the only one that has been a diehard car enthusiast for most of my life, and my dad and I shared this bond. I still remember when we started subscribing to Car and Driver together back in 1981 (when Lee Iacocca and K cars were everywhere!), and we enjoyed my dad’s succession of cars together: A Mercury Cougar XR7; a Datsun 280Z; a Porsche 944; a 968; and finally, in 2000, he graduated to his lifelong dream: a 911. For decades, our love of cars was something that connected us.
When my dad passed away, the disposition of his 993 was unsettled. It became part of his estate. Neither one of my brothers wanted it, and needless to say, I knew very well just how special this car was, particularly in terms of Porsche’s history, and also in terms of the collectible market today. Most importantly, however, it was *my dad’s.* I knew how my dad loved this car, and it makes me feel special to have the opportunity to be a good steward of this particular 993. I will never sell it. It will stay in the family. I hope that one of my sons or my daughter will carry the torch, 30 or so years from now.
This Guards Red 993 originated in Kansas City Missouri, in 1996. My dad was the second owner, just a short distance away in Missouri, acquiring it in 2000 when it had only 8900 miles on it. Since then, in 23 years, he has only put another 7000 miles on the car. That’s right, you can see the odometer: only 15,800 original miles. Needless to say, it has two keys, all of the original manuals, and even the laminated Porsche card with the code for the radio.
Sometimes, my dad liked to acquire and *have* things even more than he liked to *use* them. This 993 was always garaged, and meticulously cared for. You can see that the inside of the vehicle is pristine. The engine bay is spotless. Aside from the aftermarket 17 inch Mille Miglia Cup 3 twist wheels (which I am almost certain the first owner installed), the car is 100% bone stock, right down to the original CR-210 stereo, with the OEM six-CD changer mounted in the front trunk. (Remember when having one of those in your car was really “fancy”?!).
After my dad passed, I had the car transferred in an enclosed transport to my hometown, and the first thing I did was to put new Michelin Pilot 4 A/S tires on the car. Then I took it to my local dealer for a comprehensive top-to-bottom diagnostic. While my dad almost certainly should have driven the car more frequently, I am pleased to say that the 993 got a clean bill of health, and the dealer knew what a special car they were servicing. The main maintenance it needed was relatively straightforward stuff due to aging rubber: new brake lines and new belts, for example (and also new struts for the rear engine hood). But other than that, the car is in fantastic shape.
Needless to say, it hasn’t been a garage queen with me. It’s not my daily driver, but I’m driving it, just for fun. Everything about the analog driving experience is *exhilarating,* and the sound of the air-cooled engine is intoxicating. I will be keeping the car as it is, stock, except for one modification: I’d like to get a Fister Stage II exhaust.
I’ve already taken the 993 to a Porsche Club “cars and coffee” and especially in a large corral with 70 or so beautiful cars (mostly 991s and 992s), it was really striking (and humbling, and flattering) to see just how many people gravitated toward my 993 and “ooohed” and “ahhhed.” As the purest pinnacle of the 911’s air-cooled design, I understand that the car is unique, but I don’t think I fully realized just how relatively uncommon 993s are in this day and age — and especially one in this condition, and with so few miles. Even the folks who weren’t sure exactly what they were looking at could tell that this modern classic is a truly special car.
Anyway, thanks for reading this far. This marks my entry into the Porsche family, and I’ve already found a tremendous sense of camaraderie and fantastic information here on Rennlist. I’ve learned a lot, and I am looking forward to learning more.
I know what a beautiful and special Porsche this is.
Thank you, Pop. I’ll take good care of it. Love you.
Condolences , you can tell your Dad really appreciated that car ! Congrats on securing the car from the estate that can get tricky with siblings be sure to thank them for passing it on .
Welcome to the forum you’re in the right place , Bert
Also condolences from me. Feel welcome to this place.
This is a very nice original car.
Please think about to let him "bone stock". When you begin with the Fister it is only a matter of time before you get new ideas.
Condolences on his passing. Whether to drive (enjoy) or store (investment) a low milage car is a common conundrum. Your dad "saved" it for you for your to enjoy, use it how you see fit, knowing it stayed in the family and was being cared for by you I am sure would make you dad happy. 993s were built to be driven and can be maintained "to spec" and still deliver the smiles as the miles build up. Enjoy the miles and the past memories and future memories, as no one is truly y gone as long as they live in our memories, and what a great "vehicle" for keeping those memories alive with you, you're brothers, and future generations.
Hi Legacy,
Sounds like you had a very special dad who shared his interest in cars with you, I hope your memories of him are as sweet as mine are of my dad with whom I shared many interests.
Great car great color, the more you drive it the more you will make it your own.
Here is a page that provides a good orientation for new owners of a 993. https://993servicerepair.blogspot.co...sdom-page.html
Enjoy your ride!
Andy
I have the Michelin PS AS4 tires on my 993 and NSX, they are amazing.
When I was younger I had Fister exhaust on a previous 993, but these days my old ears and old brain think the factory exhaust is just right- throaty and sophisticated without being obnoxious.
Your car is still at US spec ride height, a popular first mod is to change to the "ROW" (rest of the world) springs to lower the cars to proper height. It won't look "low," it will just look right.
Here's one popular source for that stuff. The M033 springs are what most folks use, but they also offer the stiffer M030 sport springs if you like.
+993 on a great story, great dad and great car! Enjoy the drive. I've had mine for over 20 years now and hope to pass it on to my son as well - just not anytime soon.
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry for your loss. You are a lucky man to have shared many interests and memories with your dad. Those are things you will cherish forever.
It's a beautiful car and has clearly been loved. Keep enjoying it.
I've done the suspension and lighting upgrades centerpunch describes. They enhance and improve the car and your enjoyment of it and are well worth your consideration.
11-09-2023, 11:31 PM
New member/Dad’s Legacy: 1996 6-speed 993 Carrera (C2). Pristine. Only 15.8k miles.
