For example, I have heard that once Jaguar XK-Es stopped being produced in 1975, their popularity sank for a decade or so: suddenly they were considered ugly relics of an earlier age. But by the end of the 1980s the Jaguar XK-E had been revalued and was back in fashion – and how! (Just look at the way their prices raced upwards!)

Buyer or Seller Questions? Let’s Talk! 310-975-0272

Once upon a time people were seeking classic motor vehicles from the 1950s. But nowadays automobiles from the 1990s have turned into cars of the past that people search for: I have more and more people calling The Beverly Hills Car Club letting us know they had a picture of a Lamborghini Countach or a 1998 Porsche 993 Turbo Coupe on their wall when they were growing up: and that is the car they want to buy now that they have enough money to do so.

Which is how and why I came across one of my newest acquisitions, a 1997 Porsche 993 Targa, with only 64,915 miles on the odometer. Finished in its captivating factory color Schwarz (A1) complemented with a grey interior. The Tiptronic transmission ensures an engaging driving experience.

Features such as ventilated disc brakes, brake calipers with Porsche script, and dual exhaust outlets showcase the vehicle’s high-performance pedigree. To further enhance this exterior this 993 is equipped with a large sliding glass roof, giving you the option to enjoy the open air and warm sun – the very notion of the Targa, of course.

Equipment includes a 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine, ‘basket handle’ spoiler, VDO branded instrumentation, Bosch branded headlights, Hella branded tail/fog lights, wheel center caps with Porsche crest, 17-inch Targa-style wheels, Sumitomo tires, tool roll, jack, and a portable air compressor. Convenience features include air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, analog clock, radio, power side mirrors, glove compartment, door pockets, Clarion radio, Kicker amplifiers, and sun visors with vanity mirrors.

This example comes with a clean CARFAX. The color code and options sticker are both still in place under the hood. The timeless design and impeccable craftsmanship further enhance its desirability, ensuring that it will continue to appreciate in value over time. This is an excellent chance to own this spectacular Carrera Targa, a true automotive masterpiece that combines performance, luxury, and is mechanically sound.

At first glance, the body of the 993 appeared to be nothing more than a make-over on the 964 Turbo.

But there was much more to the new appearance than the pronounced wheel-arch flares. There had been considerable effort to replace the previous straight lines of the 964 with, in the industrial designer’s vocabulary, ‘softer’ lines. This trend would reach its peak with the later 996 model.

Referring to the 964 Turbo wings as looking like ‘big lips’, Harm Lagaay, head of the Porsche design department, considered the bulges on the 993 to be more muscular. Along with new, lower head-lamps, the frontal appearance of the 993 seemed more aggressive.

The 993 was the first 911 to require significant changes to the body-in-white, mainly to accommodate the mountings for the subframe that carried the multilink suspension.

The only body parts carried over from the 964 were the roof and hood. There were revised door beams for improved side impact protection and simplified operation of the door mechanisms.

The changes resulted in a bodyshell that was said to be 20 percent stiffer with no increase in weight. The shell was still hot-dip galvanized and the 10-year warranty against rust perforation was maintained. Water-based paints were used entirely, even for the metallic colors.

The Targa’s roof was thermally insulated and filtered ultra-violet light. The elegance of the design is evident, particularly in the absence of the old rain gutters of the coupe. The opening glass slid back under the rear window at the touch of a switch to provide open-air motoring. The panel in front of the sliding roof opened forward to prevent wind buffering inside the car.

The feeling inside the Targa was much more open, because there was indeed more glass. Thermally insulated, the glass contained a special UV filter to help keep inside temperatures under control on hot, sunny days. If you did not like direct sun, a roller blind would glide across trhe opening at the touch of a switch.

The entire design was extremely elegant, both in appearance and operation, and as a result new Targas commanded a premium over the Coupe.

Memories of the old and chunky-looking Targas faded fast.

-Alex Manos, Owner