His design retained the basic body-shell architecture of the 964 and other earlier 911 models, but with revised exterior panels with much more flared wheel arches, a smoother front and rear bumper design, an enlarged retractable rear wing, and teardrop mirrors. Thereby Tony Hatter conceived a new visual interpretation of the 911, upgrading the lines.

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Born in 1954, he studied at the College of Further Education in Yorkshire’s Harrogate – an exquisite well-designed spa town once favored by the 19th century Queen Victoria for the alleged healing powers of its waters (conveniently now on sale worldwide…). Devouring various automotive publications including his favorite, Popular Hot Rodding, he discovered Peter Stevens’s illustrations and would do his best to emulate them.

Unsurprisingly, as cars were clearly already in his blood, Tony would attend the exciting Harewood hillclimb events; as hotted-up cars raced up almost precipitous inclines, they would be cheered on by local crowds that included the hottest local dolly-birds in their miniskirted attire: sexy events that very much spoke of the Swinging 1960s.

And he discovered the full allure of the Porsche motor-car by going in 1971 to the nearby city of Leeds to watch the fabulous Le Mans film starring Steve McQueen. ‘The ultimate car guy movie,’ he remembered. He found himself particularly drawn to race cars, and distinctly remembers having loved the 906 Carrera 6 for its styling and proportions.

Mr. Hatter then enrolled in a course at Lanchester Polytechnic, in the Midlands city of Coventry, on a course called ‘Industrial Design (Transport)’. Lanchester Polytechnic clearly was a creative hub – Jerry Dammers, the inventor of the 2-Tone ska music movement, was also a student there; as was Pauline Black who formed the allied Selecter group. But Coventry was also one of the UK’s car manufacturing centers.

There he first discovered that there was a future in designing cars. After completing his course at Lanchester, he went to London’s prestigious Royal College of Art on a course sponsored initially by Chrysler where he truly discovered design and styling. For a couple of semesters he worked in a design studio: ‘At first I didn’t realize people drew cars for a living. No one at school tells you that.’

He took his first design job at Opel, before moving to Porsche’s style department in 1986. Hatter worked along with his up-and-coming peers Harm Lagaay and Freeman Thomas to put a mark on several iterations of Porsche’s sports car design. Eventually becoming part of Porsche’s executive team as Design Manager, he is credited with designing the 993 (along with Harm Lagaay), and the third generation Porsche Cayman, as well as working on numerous cars including the Porsche 911 GT1.

He was instrumental in adapting both the exterior and interior designs of the Porsche Carrera GT concept car, which was originally a modified Porsche 986 frame, into the production trim guise. Additionally, he served as Design Manager for the RSR version of the Porsche 918, and more recently designed the 50th Anniversary and GT3 Touring editions of the Porsche 911.

Right now at Beverly Hills Car Club we have a splendid example of Tony Hatter’s work, a highly optioned 1997 Porsche 993 Carrera S Coupe, with just 63,814 miles on the odometer. Finished in its special-order Arena Red Metallic, paired with a classic black interior, this car wears one of the most iconic hero colors of the 993 generation – a deep, sophisticated burgundy-red with metallic flake that shifts from a dark wine tone in the shade to a vibrant cherry red in direct sunlight.

To complement its stunning exterior, this 993 features a sunroof, perfect for enjoying open-air drives on sunny days.

Powering this timeless 993 is a 3.6L VarioRam engine mated to a Tiptronic automatic transmission, delivering an engaging and refined driving experience. Stopping power comes from 4-wheel disc brakes, providing precise control on any road. The exterior impresses with dual stainless-steel tailpipes, Hella fog lights, Bosch headlights, and a subtle roof edge spoiler that balances aggression with sophistication. The iconic 18-inch Turbo Technology hollow-spoke wheels complete the car’s unmistakable stance.

Inside combines comfort, convenience, & Porsche craftsmanship. Features include AC, cruise control, power windows, power mirrors, a power-operated sunroof, and Porsche CDR-220 stereo system. The black interior exudes elegance, complemented by practical touches such as an analog clock, glove compartment & door pockets.

Thanks to Tony Hatter the 1997 Carrera S is considered one of the Holy Grails of the air-cooled era, pairing the wide-body presence of the Turbo with the purity of a rear-wheel-drive, naturally aspirated drivetrain. The original color code and options sticker remain under the hood, confirming its authenticity and provenance.

With its timeless design, special-order details, and impeccable craftsmanship, this 993 Carrera S Coupe is not only a striking collector’s car but also a driver-ready classic. This is a rare opportunity to own a truly exceptional Porsche that is mechanically sound.

Race you up the hill!

-Alex Manos, Owner