1995 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet

Chassis No. WP0ZZZ99ZSS338503 Engine No. 61R01114 Transmission No. 2003701Porsche has long been the undisputed master of the end-of-model special edition. The 1989 911 Speedster closed the G-Series, while the 1994 911 Turbo 3.6 and 2011 911 GT3 RS 4.0 stand among the finest send-offs in the marque's history. These models represent the ultimate expression of their respective generations before giving way to an all-new design. Yet what of a special model conceived not at the end of a production cycle, but at the beginning? Born from the request of a single influential customer and produced in a special-order batch by the Exclusive Department, the 1995 911 Turbo Cabriolet is precisely that Porsche.When the new 993-generation 911 debuted at the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show, it was immediately hailed as a landmark evolution of Porsche's iconic sports car. Guided by Ferdinand Porsche's philosophy that ''change is easy; improvement is far more difficult,'' designer Tony Hatter refined nearly every aspect of the 911's shape, from its smoother front fascia and 959-inspired headlights to its broader rear haunches. Just months later, at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show, Porsche unveiled the new 911 Carrera Cabriolet. Among those captivated by the design was Fritz Haberl, Managing Director of Munich's MAHAG dealership, honorary president of Germany's automotive trade association (ZDK), and one of Porsche's most influential retail partners. Rather than admire the Cabriolet for what it was, Haberl immediately asked whether it could be built with the heart of a Turbo.The request was anything but straightforward. Haberl's standing within Porsche was such that the request wasn't dismissed-instead, engineers at Weissach were tasked with determining whether a Turbo Cabriolet could actually be built. Haberl would need to secure commitments for a limited production run, with each buyer willing to pay DM 264,000, more than DM 100,000 above the price of a standard Carrera Cabriolet. The premium proved no obstacle. Haberl reportedly secured six orders from Munich before pricing had even been finalized, with the balance sold internationally, setting in motion the creation of just 14 Turbo Cabriolets-one of the rarest production variants Porsche has ever built.Each 911 Turbo Cabriolet was hand-built by Porsche Exclusive using a Carrera Cabriolet bodyshell before receiving the widened Turbo bodywork and proven mechanical package of the 911 Turbo 3.6. Porsche granted the model a unique internal designation, 993 630, along with a special series of sequential VINs beginning with 01 and concluding with 14. Its 360-horsepower turbocharged flat-six, G50 five-speed transmission, braking system, and distinctive rear wing combined to create one of the most collectible air-cooled 911s ever produced. In fact, it is often stated that the 1994 911 Turbo 3.6 was the final rear-wheel-drive 911 Turbo, yet these 14 Turbo Cabriolets are, in fact, the final examples of their kind. The result was an understated open-top 911 Turbo capable of nearly 280 km/h-a true wolf in sheep's clothing, and one of the rarest factory-built air-cooled 911s ever produced.Finished in Midnight Blue over a matched Midnight Blue leather interior, this 1995 911 Turbo Cabriolet was the third example produced by Exclusive. Each of the 14 were built to order and, as a result of Porsche's famous individualization program, no two are alike. A look at the build sheet for this 911 Turbo Cabriolet reveals that, in addition to its blue over blue livery, it was optioned with 17-inch Cup Design wheels, an Exclusive rear Heckspoiler 3.6 Turbo S tail (now believed to be fitted with a piece from Gemballa Design), Heated Front Seats and Power Seat Packages, Digital Sound Package, Remote Six-Disc CD Changer, Turbo Sport suspension, and a four-outlet Turbo S-look exhaust system. Special Z-order front turn signal lenses in white and rear lenses in red, similar to those fitted to US-delivered 911s, were among the extras.Finished nine months after Haberl's request at the Geneva Motor Show, chassis number 338503 was first registered in Germany on 23 December 1994, according to its warranty in-service date. Service book scans reveal regular servicing at Porsche Zentrum Essen and Porsche Zentrum Stuttgart. The rare Turbo Cabriolet remained in Germany for nearly two decades, later moving to collector ownership in Spain in 2013. Approximately 800 kilometers were added before it was discovered by Porsche collector par excellence Todd Blue in 2022.Likely the first such example imported to the United States, it instantly became one of the rarest and most sought-after 911 Turbos in the country. Naturally, the blue-over-blue Turbo Cabriolet aligned perfectly with Blue's preference for an all-azure collection. This third of just 14 993-era Turbo Cabriolets is offered with 96,221 kilometers or approximately 59,789 miles at cataloging with its tools, owner's manual, build sheet, and clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report. Furthermore, it is noted to retain its numbers-matching 3.6-liter turbocharged engine and five-speed manual transmission.A remarkable combination of important firsts and lasts, the 993-generation 911 Turbo Cabriolet represents the culmination of Porsche's hand-built Stuttgart sports car tradition. Unavailable in the United States when new, these Turbo Cabriolets were crafted by Porsche Exclusive during an era when the company still embraced small-series passion projects. Of the 14 examples produced, it is believed that only two have since made their way to U.S. shores, with Broad Arrow having offered the other at the 2024 Amelia Auction. With its exceptional rarity, factory-built Turbo specification, and connection to the final generation of air-cooled 911s, this well-preserved example warrants close consideration from discerning aficionados seeking one of Porsche's most exclusive modern classics.