Overview of the Porsche 911 Carrera S 993
This is a left hand drive 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera S, chassis code E-993, offered at USS Tokyo as lot 79055 on 8 October 2026. It is a dealer import finished in its original silver, with black leather, a floor automatic gearbox and 54,272 km on the odometer, which is approximately 33,723 miles. The inspectors gave it an overall auction grade of 4.5 and an interior grade of B. First registration is December 1996 and the sheet shows a service record book with entries running from 1998 to November 2025.
The Carrera S is the wide bodied, rear drive 993 built on the Turbo shell without the Turbo's all wheel drive or turbochargers, and it is the car many 993 enthusiasts quietly rank as the best looking of the air cooled line. This example is the Tiptronic version, which makes it a different proposition from the manual cars that dominate the headlines. That is reflected in the guide range further down, and it suits buyers who want the shape, the sound and the Carrera S rarity at a gentler entry point.
The Drive Review
The 993 is the last air cooled 911, and the Carrera S carries the 3.6 litre flat six with the Varioram intake in its strongest road tune, around 285 PS. The engine sits behind the rear axle and sounds like nothing built today: a mechanical, slightly metallic rasp that builds to a hard edge above 4,000 rpm. It is not a violent car by modern standards, but it feels alive through the seat and the steering wheel.
The Tiptronic is a four speed torque converter automatic, and the instrument cluster in the photographs shows the P R N D 3 2 1 gate. It trades the manual's involvement for relaxed pace. You can leave it in drive for town and motorway work, or slide the lever across to take gears yourself on a good road. Enthusiasts often say it suits the 993's character better than the earlier Tiptronic cars, because the engine has the torque to cover the long ratios.
The steering is unassisted by electric motors and talks constantly about surface and grip, which is the main reason people chase these cars. The wide Turbo style rear arches give the Carrera S a planted stance and extra rear grip, and the multilink rear axle of the 993 tamed much of the older 911's snap oversteer. Weight sits over the back, so braking hard into a bend still asks for respect. Compared with a modern 911 it is lighter on its feet, noisier, less insulated and far more demanding of attention, which is exactly its appeal.
Auction Details
The car is lot 79055 at USS Tokyo, with the sheet titled Import Morning Prime Corner. The auction date in Japan is 8 October 2026. The start price is ¥10,800,000. The Autoselecta guide bidding range is £9,250 to £24,750. Four similar cars have sold at Japanese auctions between £8,195 and £23,323, typically at about £8,195, though that group includes other versions and conditions. The guide is an estimated bidding range and not a guaranteed purchase price, and the car may sell outside it. For the minimum bid and the full landed cost, please use the price panel on this page, which updates live.
All bids must be submitted before 9PM UK time the evening before auction.
Vehicle Specifications
The sheet gives the following. Model: Porsche 911 Carrera S, chassis code E-993. First registration December 1996 (Heisei 8). Body: coupe with four seats. Engine: 3,600 cc petrol. Drive: 2WD, which on the Carrera S means rear wheel drive. Transmission: floor automatic. Steering: left hand drive. Exterior: silver, original colour, with no colour change recorded. Interior: black leather. Odometer: 54,272 km, approximately 33,723 miles. The feed rounds this to 55,000 km. Inspection (shaken) is valid until 26 December 2027. The frame number is WP0ZZZ99ZVS311032 and the Japanese plate is Yamanashi 317 nu 8. The recycling deposit is ¥14,320. Factory colour code is not shown on the sheet.
Factory Features and Equipment
The sheet marks power steering, power windows, leather and airbags, and air conditioning is listed even though the inspector reports it faulty. The sales points add an electric sliding sunroof, black leather seats, 993 Turbo look alloy wheels, red brake calipers, a Nakamichi CD deck MB75, an aftermarket amplifier, a rear wiper, an ETC unit and a Mitsuwa sticker, which marks the car as supplied through the Porsche importer's dealer network.
The photographs support much of this. The five spoke Turbo look wheels carry Michelin 225/40 ZR18 tyres, with red Porsche calipers over drilled discs visible behind the spoke. A Magnat Century 520 amplifier is shown, which is the aftermarket amplifier the sheet refers to, and the centre console has switches that appear to operate the sunroof, the rear wiper and the rear spoiler, along with hazards and a central locking symbol. Whether the red calipers are factory fitted is not stated on the sheet. A Nakamichi head unit is listed, but the photographs do not let us confirm which unit is fitted.
Japanese Auction Report Translation
The inspector's report reads as follows. Front floor scratched. Air conditioning faulty. Seats and steering wheel scuffed. Wheels scratched. Scratches and dents in various places.
The points to note list service record dates of July 1998, December 1999, October 2000, May 2001, December 2001, December 2003, January 2005, December 2005, December 2007, December 2021, December 2023 and November 2025, and confirm that the service record book is present. There is a visible gap between December 2007 and December 2021, which a buyer should ask about. The sheet also notes that the owner's manual and spare key will be sent later, meaning they are not with the car at the auction. The photographs do show a driver's manual, a Porsche leather wallet, the Japanese maintenance book and keys, so it is worth confirming with us exactly which items will travel with the car.
The sheet does not mention engine noise, oil or coolant leaks, warning lights, gearbox faults, accident repair, rust, smoke or odour. Absence of comment is not the same as a guarantee, so the underbody and the mechanical condition remain unconfirmed.
Damage Diagram and Body Condition of the Silver Porsche 911 Carrera S
The diagram is light. On the front bumper there is an A1 small scratch and a note of rubbing scratches. The bonnet carries an A scratch. A box marked with the stone chip and scratch notation sits between the bonnet and the cabin, and the exact panel is uncertain: it could be the windscreen or the front of the roof, so ask for a close inspection. The left door has an A1 small scratch. The right door has an AU1 small scratch with touch up, so that mark has been dressed with paint. The left rear quarter panel has an A scratch, the right rear quarter panel has a U1 small dent, and the rear bumper has an A1 small scratch.
There are no replaced panel, repair wave, rust or corrosion marks on the diagram. Taken together with the 4.5 grade, the body looks like a tidy, usable car with ordinary parking and road marks rather than a concours example. The inspector also notes scratches on the wheels and the front floor. I would class it as good usable enthusiast condition, leaning towards a presentable driver that could be improved with some paint correction.
Interior Condition
The interior is graded B, which on the Japanese scale means average to good with visible use. The inspector records scuffing to the seats and steering wheel, and the photographs agree. The driver's seat shows creasing and light wear across the cushion and bolster, and the steering wheel rim looks used. The dashboard top, carpets and door cards look tidy in the full dashboard photograph, with no obvious tears visible. The odometer reads 054272 in the instrument photograph, matching the sheet. Air conditioning is the one functional fault called out, and a 993 air conditioning repair can be a modest or a costly job depending on the cause, so treat it as an item to budget for.
Japanese Auction Grades
Auction grades run from 1 to 6 with S above, and 4.5 sits in the upper middle: a car in good order with minor flaws. The interior grade B is average to good. Neither grade is a mechanical guarantee.
Model History
The 993 generation ran from 1994 to 1998 and was the final air cooled 911, replaced by the water cooled 996. It was a heavily revised car, with a new aluminium multilink rear suspension, a smoother body and a cleaner flat six. The Carrera S arrived late in the run and combined the Turbo's wider rear bodywork and wheels with the naturally aspirated 3.6 litre engine, rear drive and a lower price than the Turbo. Production was limited and the model was sold in only a short window, which is part of why good ones are hunted.
Why This Model Has Become Collectible
The 993 is the end of an era, the last of the air cooled line, and the Carrera S is its most distinctive rear drive variant thanks to the Turbo body. Rising values across the 993 range have drawn collectors from the United States, Europe and Asia, and Japan has long been a source of low mileage, carefully serviced dealer cars. Manual cars attract the strongest interest, while Tiptronic cars tend to be priced lower, so a clean automatic Carrera S can be the more accessible way into this body shape. Original silver paint, a documented service history and under 60,000 km all help. Prices can go down as well as up, and this should not be seen as an investment. The car is eligible for the United States as it is over 25 years old.
What To Look For When Buying This Model
The air cooled flat six is robust but oil seepage from the cam covers, valve covers and chain housings is common, and so is a leak around the distributor drive area, so inspect the engine underside and rear tray carefully. The 993 uses a twin plug ignition system, and rough running often traces to ignition components. The Varioram intake should change its note smoothly in the mid range. On the Tiptronic, ask when the transmission fluid was last serviced and check for harsh changes or slipping between ratios. Check the sunroof drains and the surrounding scuttle and windscreen surround for water damage, and examine the front floor, since this car's sheet reports scratching there. The air conditioning needs diagnosis, and the sheet's twelve year gap in service entries between 2007 and 2021 deserves a question. Finally, check the seat and wheel wear against the 54,272 km reading, and confirm the manual and spare key arrive, as the sheet says they will follow separately.
Why Import This Car From Japan
Japan's dealer supplied Porsches are often one owner cars with Japanese service books and gentle use, and this one carries a maintenance record running from 1998 to 2025. Cars are inspected and graded in a consistent way, which makes comparing condition far easier than with a private sale.
USA Import Information
As this 1996 car is over 25 years old, it is eligible for import into the United States. Autoselecta can arrange shipment from Japan to the United States. Please contact Autoselecta with your city or ZIP code before bidding so a delivered quotation can be prepared. We can calculate the expected purchase, Japan costs, shipping, customs related costs and delivery requirements, though we cannot promise there will be no additional charges. Being left hand drive, this car suits the American market well.
Ultimate Guide For Japanese Imports
The process runs from choosing a lot, placing a maximum bid and winning, to paying, arranging export and shipping, and completing import registration in your own country. Check your local import, emissions and safety rules before bidding, as they differ between countries.
Why Import Through Autoselecta
Autoselecta gives you direct access to Japanese auctions, auction sheet translation checked by our staff, vehicle sourcing, bidding assistance, export handling, shipping, import support and tracking where available, with communication throughout. We do not promise savings, only transparency about the car and the process.
Browse This Week's Japanese Auctions
If this silver 993 is not quite right, our weekly listings include other air cooled Porsches and Japanese performance cars with full sheet translations. Browse them on autoselecta.com.
Live Auction Search
Use our live auction search to find other Porsche 911 models by chassis code, grade, mileage and auction house, and ask us to watch for a specification you want.
Auction Caution
Auction cars are inspected before sale but are still used vehicles, and an auction sheet is an independent condition guide, not a mechanical warranty. An older performance car like this 993 may need servicing, maintenance or refurbishment after purchase. Please note the inspector's warnings on this car: faulty air conditioning, scuffed seats and steering wheel, scratched wheels, a scratched front floor, and scratches and dents in various places. The manual and spare key are to be sent later and should be confirmed with us before you bid.
