The Water Cooled era of racing Porsche’s is attributed to the 996 era cars of post 1998, but for Porsche AG, it started way before the road cars made the ‘big leap’. For at least 30 years prior, Porsche, in true Porsche fashion, had been testing various forms of water cooling in the greatest way possible; motorsport. Combinations of air and water cooling were finally merged, into plain old “wasser” cooling in the mighty 962 era. For all of our love, for all things “luft” cooled, Porsche conceded in the late 80’s that wasser was how you efficiently keep 600Hp cool for 24hrs of abuse. It was the rigours of the “ultimate test”, the Le Mans 24Hr that forced Porsche’s hand and created the start of a new, exciting and successful era.

Porsche’s radical new 996 911 came out swinging in every way. It had to; the company was cash strapped and the 993, even in its venerable GT2 form, was now outdated and on the limit of what a production air cooled car can safely and reliably deliver. It is easy for enthusiasts, to conveniently forget that manufacturers have to put comprehensive warranties on what they’re selling.

models came out in quick succession and to much praise, from a very learned and demanding customer base. Yes, the move from air to water cooling had its detractors and the new styling was divisive, as with any new major 911 release, but a lighter, more aerodynamic, but somehow larger 911 was applauded by the motoring press. They also knew the best was yet to come…

Bring on the 1999 Frankfurt Motorshow and the eagerly anticipated Turbo model made its debut. People were quite taken with its now traditional Turbo wide body, but subtleties were in abundance, with active aero, induction and exhaust scoops and ducts, all of which made the 996 Turbo looks very purposeful, yet restrained. The addition of Bi Xenon headlights as standard gave the car a slightly more handsome look and a slight nod to what was coming with the 996.2 and 997. The engineering behind all the beauty was what really mattered, and the 996 Turbo packed a serious punch; 0-100 in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 305 Km/H were what Porsche rated and it was very common knowledge even then, that meant a low 4 second pass to 100 and an easy 310 Km/H top speed.

The mighty Mezger 3.6 engine was pressed back into duty, but this time with a single turbo running off each exhaust outlet. A very conservative 420Hp was the factory rating and just with a wastegate mod and flash tune, a reliable 500Hp was available. Luckily the specially built G96 / 50 transmission was built to handle huge horsepower, along with the 959 derived AWD system, now refined to near perfection, for a gentleman’s express, that happens to go like a Scud Missile.

Chassis # WP0ZZZ99Z4S680423 the car we proudly have for sale here, has lived quite the charmed life; With 3 careful owners from new and only 33,500 Km on the odometer, she was ordered new via Porsche Centre Brisbane, in Basalt Black Metallic (LC9Z) on (AH) black full leather and with the rightfully desirable 6 speed manual. She was delivered to Brisbane on 15/03/2004.

Her options are as follows;

C23: Australian delivered.

XRC: 18” Sport Technology Wheels

XRN: 17mm Spacer rear wheels.

XSC: Porsche crest embossed on seat headrests.

635: Parking Assistant.

666: Porsche GSM Telephone.

692: Porsche CD player

09991: Options installed by Porsche Exclusive Program, AKA Sonderwunsch.

Her 1st QLD based owner only kept the car for under a year, selling it to the 2nd with only 2176 Km on her. The 2nd owner was Melbourne based, who kept it for 3 years, selling it with about 9000Km on it. The 3rd and current owner has maintained the car fastidiously, with 12 month service schedules, using only Porsche dealerships and Porsche specialists. She looks, drives and even smells like a very loved car. Other than the nose showing a few scuffs, from living the life Dr Ferry envisioned, she is pretty impressive to have a look around and the driving experience from the 6 speed manual is awesome. It was a first time out in a manual Water-Cooled Turbo for me, as all my other 996 and 997 Turbo’s have been Tiptronic and WOW. I always admired the Turbo’s calm manner and rapid pace, but you had to really cajole it to get some “fun”. With the 6 speed, it is much more accessible and easy to get into the “fun” zone. Not to mention the usual manual positives of driver engagement and satisfaction (Just quietly, I’ve heard resale values aren’t too shabby either.).

#680423 is a great and much-loved car, in a perfect Turbo spec’. If you want a sub $200K collector Porsche, this car will certainly not disappoint the fussiest buyer, who likes to drive very fast.

+ Inspection by appointment only.