Overview of the Porsche 911 Turbo 993
This is a genuinely significant piece of Porsche history, a June 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo built on the 993 chassis, the last of the air cooled 911s and, for many enthusiasts, the finest generation of the model. Finished in Polar Silver Metallic over what the auction sheet lists only partially for interior colour, this particular car carries chassis number WP0ZZZ99ZTS371839 and shows 74,382 km on the odometer, which converts to approximately 46,225 miles. It is a left hand drive example, imported into Japan as a parallel (grey) import rather than through official Porsche Japan channels, and it comes fitted with the desirable factory X50 power kit that lifts output to 430 hp along with the electric sliding roof, red brake calipers, sports seats and dual zone seat heating. Offered through USS Tokyo as lot 65056 with an auction grade of 4 and an interior grade of B, this 993 Turbo presents as a well equipped, well documented example of one of the most sought after air cooled 911s Porsche ever built. The Porsche 911 Turbo 993 has become one of the standout names in the modern classic Porsche market, and this particular car's specification and service history make it worth serious attention from buyers anywhere in the world.
The Drive Review
The 993 generation Turbo occupies a unique place in Porsche history as the last 911 Turbo with an air cooled engine and the first to use twin turbochargers and all wheel drive as standard. The 3.6 litre flat six, twin turbocharged and here further boosted by the factory X50 option to a claimed 430 hp, delivers a completely different character to the naturally aspirated Carrera models of the same era. Power builds progressively rather than arriving in a single spike, a result of the twin turbo layout replacing the single large turbo of the earlier 964 Turbo, and this makes the 993 Turbo far more tractable and predictable at the limit than its reputation as a widowmaker predecessor might suggest. The four wheel drive system, borrowed and adapted from the Carrera 4, transforms how the car puts its power down, particularly in damp or cold conditions, and gives the 993 Turbo a level of usability that the rear drive Turbos before it never had.
The six speed manual gearbox fitted to this car is the version most enthusiasts consider the purist's choice, with a mechanical, deliberate shift action that rewards a firm hand rather than the light, quick throws of more modern Porsche transmissions. Steering is unassisted feel through hydraulic power assistance rather than the electric systems of later cars, with genuine feedback through the wheel about surface texture and grip. The flat six engine note is unmistakably air cooled Porsche, a mechanical, slightly harsh clatter at idle that smooths into a hard edged wail as revs climb, entirely different in character to the smoother, more refined water cooled engines that followed from 1998 onwards. Weight distribution remains rear biased in the classic 911 tradition, and while the four wheel drive system tames the tail happy reputation of earlier turbocharged 911s, the car still rewards a driver who understands its weight is carried differently to a front engined car. This is not a car that drives like a modern supercar, and that is precisely the appeal. It demands engagement, offers huge performance by 1990s standards, and remains one of the last Porsches where the driver, not the electronics, is doing most of the work.
Auction Details
This Porsche 911 Turbo 993 is being sold through USS Tokyo, one of Japan's largest and most established auction houses, under lot number 65056. The auction is scheduled for 1 October 2026. The auction start price is set at ¥35,000,000. Autoselecta's own guide bidding range for this car is £43,250 to £80,500, and this figure represents an estimated bidding range based on specification, condition and recent market activity rather than a guaranteed purchase price, so the car may sell above or below this range depending on demand on the day. For reference, one broadly similar car sold recently at Japanese auction for £23,518, though that result reflects a different specification and condition and should be treated only as general market context rather than a direct comparison. For the current minimum bid Autoselecta will place on this specific car, along with an up to date landed cost estimate for your country, please refer to the price panel on this page, as these figures are calculated live and change after publication. All bids must be submitted before 9PM UK time the evening before auction.
Vehicle Specifications
Manufacturer Porsche, model 911, grade 911 Turbo, chassis code 993T, first registered June 1996 (Heisei 8). Engine capacity 3,600 cc, flat six, twin turbocharged, further fitted with the factory X50 power kit raising output to a claimed 430 hp. Transmission is a six speed manual, floor shift. Drive is four wheel drive. Steering is left hand drive. Exterior colour is Polar Silver Metallic (paint code 92M), listed on the auction sheet as the car's original colour with no colour change noted. Body style is a two door coupe. Odometer reading is 74,382 km, approximately 46,225 miles. Fuel is petrol, with a 92 litre fuel tank fitted as factory option 545. Dimensions are listed as 424 cm length, 179 cm width and 128 cm height. The Japanese shaken roadworthiness inspection is valid until 17 June 2028. Import classification on the Japanese sheet is parallel import, meaning the car entered Japan outside official Porsche Japan distribution channels, which is common for left hand drive Turbo models of this era and does not itself indicate any issue with the car.
Factory Features and Equipment
The auction sheet confirms this car is fitted with a sunroof, genuine alloy wheels (18 inch), power steering, power windows, leather trim and airbags. Factory options specifically listed include the X50 turbo power kit (430 hp) under reference M64/60R, sports seats, seat heating for both the left seat (option 139) and right seat (option 340), the 92 litre fuel tank (option 545) and the electric sliding roof (option 650). Red brake calipers are also noted as a feature. Air conditioning is fitted. The car comes with a service record booklet showing entries dated 2026/6, 2024/6, 2022/5, 2020/4, 2018/4, 2016/3, 2014/3, 2012/3, 2010/3, 2008/12 and 2007/9, a leather book case for documents, an overseas language owner's manual, a spare key and a spare keyless remote. A wheel lock nut is noted as being supplied at a later date rather than being present at the time of inspection. The exterior paint thickness has been checked as part of the inspection process. Navigation and a television are not marked as fitted on the equipment section of the sheet.
Japanese Auction Report Translation
This translation has been prepared and checked by Autoselecta staff working directly from the original Japanese auction sheet. The sheet header places this car in the 名車コーナー or "famous car corner", a section USS Tokyo reserves for notable or prestige vehicles. Turning to the inspector's own comments, the report notes シートシワ, meaning creases in the seat upholstery consistent with genuine use, and ハンドル・スレ, meaning the steering wheel shows scuffing or wear from handling over time. The sheet also records ダッシュ板ウキ, which translates as lifting or slight separation of the dashboard panel trim, a point buyers should be aware of and which is a known issue on 993 models where the dashboard material can shrink or lift with age and heat exposure. 外装クリアキズ notes scratches in the exterior clear coat, ホイールキズ notes scratches to the wheels, and 小キズ小凹 records small scratches and small dents around the body generally. None of these comments indicate accident damage or structural repair, and they are consistent with a well used but honestly presented 993 Turbo of this age. The recycling deposit shown on the sheet is 14,860 yen, a standard administrative charge under Japan's vehicle recycling law and not a condition indicator.
Damage Diagram and Body Condition
The damage diagram on the auction sheet marks a small number of specific points. At the front bumper the notation A1スリA indicates a small scratch (A1) combined with light rubbing or scuff marks. At the bonnet, marked simply A, a scratch is recorded. Below the bonnet, in an area read as the windscreen surround though this could alternatively refer to the front edge of the roof, the notation トビA records stone chips, with the inspector noting this reading is not entirely certain. At the rear bumper a further A1 small scratch is recorded. No dent codes, rust codes, crack codes or repainted panel codes appear on the diagram, and the spare tyre circle on the diagram carries no mark, meaning the spare tyre situation is not confirmed by a specific notation. Overall, this is a body condition picture consistent with an auction grade of 4, a genuinely usable enthusiast condition car showing light cosmetic wear typical of a nearly thirty year old sports car that has covered a moderate distance and been driven rather than kept purely as a display piece. There is no indication on the sheet of accident repair, structural damage or replaced panels.
Interior Condition
The interior is graded B on the auction sheet, a solid, above average interior grade indicating condition with some visible wear but nothing serious. This aligns with the specific inspector comments of seat creases and a scuffed steering wheel, both entirely normal for a car of this mileage and age, and the noted lifting of the dashboard panel trim, which buyers should factor into their inspection and budgeting even though it is a common and generally manageable issue on air cooled Porsches of this generation. Photographs show the black leather interior with the classic 993 five dial instrument cluster, sports seats and the factory gear lever with visible wear consistent with genuine use. The odometer photograph confirms the 74,382 km reading directly from the instrument cluster. No mention is made on the sheet of tears, burns, odours or water damage, and no interior modifications are noted beyond the aftermarket head unit visible in the dashboard photograph, which is not referenced on the auction sheet and should be treated as an aftermarket fitment rather than an originally documented Porsche component.
Japanese Auction Grades
Japanese auction grades give an at a glance summary of condition but are not a substitute for full inspection. This car carries an overall auction grade of 4, which broadly indicates a good, well kept vehicle with only minor wear and no significant accident history, one grade below the highest standard grades typically reserved for near immaculate or very low mileage cars. The interior grade of B indicates good condition with light signs of use, again one step below the top interior grade. Together these grades support a picture of a genuine, honestly used 993 Turbo rather than either a museum piece or a project car, and this is corroborated by the specific inspector comments translated above.
Model History
The Porsche 911 Turbo of the 993 generation was produced from 1995 to 1998 and represents a pivotal moment in Porsche's history, being the final 911 to use an air cooled engine before Porsche moved to water cooling with the 996 generation in 1998. Where the earlier 930 and 964 generation Turbos used a single large turbocharger and sent power exclusively to the rear wheels, the 993 Turbo introduced twin smaller turbochargers for more progressive power delivery and, for the first time on a Turbo model, permanent all wheel drive borrowed from the Carrera 4. This combination transformed the Turbo from a car with a fearsome reputation for punishing driver error into a genuinely usable, everyday capable supercar that could still deliver blistering performance. Porsche built the 993 Turbo in relatively limited numbers compared to naturally aspirated Carrera models, and the X50 power kit fitted to this particular car was a genuine factory option that increased output beyond the standard 408 hp figure, making X50 equipped cars a particularly desirable subset among collectors today.
Why This Model Has Become Collectible
The 993 Turbo has become one of the most collectible modern classic Porsches for several converging reasons. It is the last air cooled 911 Turbo, a distinction that alone has driven strong and sustained demand as buyers recognise the significance of the engineering transition that followed with the water cooled 996. Production numbers were modest relative to standard Carrera models, and genuine, unmodified, well documented examples like this one, with continuous service history stretching back to 2007, are increasingly hard to find in good condition. The car's engineering was genuinely important, introducing twin turbocharging and all wheel drive to the 911 Turbo lineage in a combination that Porsche has continued to refine ever since. The manual gearbox fitted to this example is particularly sought after, as many surviving 993 Turbos were ordered with the Tiptronic automatic, and a properly functioning six speed manual is considered by many enthusiasts to be the more engaging and ultimately more collectible specification. Global demand for well kept 993 generation 911s across all variants has grown steadily over the past decade, driven by a wider appreciation for analogue, mechanically pure sports cars in an era of increasingly digital and electronically assisted performance cars, and this demand is only intensified for a documented example fitted with the desirable X50 power kit.
What To Look For When Buying This Model
Buyers considering a 993 Turbo should be aware of several well known characteristics of the model. Dashboard trim lifting or shrinking, exactly as noted by the inspector on this car, is a widely recognised issue across 993 generation interiors and while cosmetic, it is worth budgeting for if a full repair or replacement is desired. The twin turbocharger system and its associated plumbing should be checked for correct operation and any signs of oil leaks, particularly around turbo oil feed and return lines given the age of the car. The four wheel drive system's viscous coupling and related components should be inspected for wear, as this is a more complex system than the rear drive Carrera and repairs can be costly if neglected. As with all air cooled 911s, buyers should check for rust in less visible areas such as the sills, wheel arches and floor pans, though nothing of this nature is noted on this particular car's auction sheet. Given this example is a parallel import into Japan, some buyers may wish to verify the completeness and originality of certain components against Porsche's official specification sheets, though nothing on the auction sheet suggests any irregularity. Overall this car's continuous service history from 2007 through to 2026 is a strong positive indicator and should be verified in full once the vehicle is in hand.
Why Import This Car From Japan
Japan remains one of the best sources in the world for well preserved performance and enthusiast cars of this era, thanks to strict domestic inspection regimes, a driving culture that favours careful ownership, and a comparatively dry climate in many regions that limits corrosion compared to markets that use road salt extensively. Left hand drive parallel imports such as this 993 Turbo occasionally surface at Japanese auction from private import specialists and collectors, offering international buyers access to genuinely well kept examples with documented history that can be harder to source directly in their home market. Buying through the Japanese auction system also provides a level of independent condition transparency, through the auction sheet grading and inspector comments translated in detail above, that is rarely available when buying privately or through traditional dealer channels elsewhere.
USA Import Information
This 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo is now old enough to qualify for import into the United States under the 25 year rule administered by US Customs and Border Protection, meaning it can be legally imported without the restrictions that apply to newer vehicles. Autoselecta can arrange full shipment of this car from Japan directly to the United States. Buyers based in the USA are encouraged to contact Autoselecta with their city or ZIP code before bidding so that a full delivered quotation, covering the expected purchase cost, Japan side costs, ocean shipping and customs related charges, can be prepared in advance. Autoselecta can calculate all of these costs and advise on delivery requirements for your specific state, helping you understand the complete picture before you commit to bidding on this car.
Ultimate Guide For Japanese Imports
Importing a car from Japan involves several distinct stages, from winning the vehicle at auction through export preparation, international shipping, customs clearance and finally registration in the buyer's home country. Each country maintains its own specific import rules, emissions requirements, safety compliance standards and age related eligibility rules, and these vary considerably between the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the European Union and other markets. Working with an experienced import specialist who understands both the Japanese auction system and the destination country's requirements is the most reliable way to navigate this process smoothly, and Autoselecta's team is available throughout to answer questions specific to your country before, during and after the auction.
Why Import Through Autoselecta
Autoselecta provides direct access to Japan's major auction houses, including USS Tokyo where this Porsche 911 Turbo is listed, giving international buyers the ability to bid on vehicles that rarely appear for sale outside Japan. Our team translates and interprets auction sheets in full, exactly as demonstrated in this report, so buyers understand precisely what condition a car is in before committing to bid. We assist with bidding strategy, handle all export paperwork, arrange shipping to destinations worldwide including the United States, and provide vehicle tracking where available so you know where your car is throughout its journey. Once the vehicle arrives in your country we continue to support you through import compliance and registration questions, drawing on years of experience shipping Japanese performance and classic cars to buyers across the globe. Communication continues throughout the process, from the moment you express interest in a car through to final delivery.
Browse This Week's Japanese Auctions
Autoselecta lists a constantly updated selection of vehicles from Japan's major auction houses, refreshed as new auctions open each week. Buyers interested in Porsche models, other air cooled classics or a broader range of Japanese performance cars can browse current listings on our website to compare specifications, grades and guide bidding ranges before deciding which vehicles to pursue.
Live Auction Search
For buyers with a specific model, generation or specification in mind, Autoselecta's live auction search tool allows you to search across upcoming Japanese auctions in real time, filtering by manufacturer, model, chassis code, grade, mileage and other criteria to find vehicles matching your requirements as they become available.
Auction Caution
All vehicles offered through Japanese auction houses, including this Porsche 911 Turbo, are inspected before sale, but they remain used vehicles being sold in as is condition and are not covered by any mechanical warranty. The auction sheet and grading system provide an independent condition guide compiled by the auction house's own inspectors, and Autoselecta translates this in full detail as shown above, but it is not a guarantee of mechanical soundness or a substitute for your own inspection or that of a qualified technician after purchase. Older performance cars of this type, particularly turbocharged models with complex drivetrains such as this all wheel drive Turbo, should be budgeted for servicing, maintenance and potential refurbishment after import, regardless of how well presented they appear. Buyers should specifically note the inspector's recorded observations on this car, being seat creases, a scuffed steering wheel, lifting dashboard panel trim, exterior clear coat scratches, wheel scratches and small scratches and dents around the bodywork, along with the diagram notations of small scratches to the front bumper, bonnet and rear bumper and stone chips in the area read as the windscreen surround. The wheel lock nut noted as being supplied at a later date should also be confirmed with the seller prior to shipment.
