Vehicle Description
Chassis No. WP0AC2995VS375841
Engine No. 61V02074
As the air-cooled 911 prepared to give way to the water-cooled
996-generation, Porsche Exclusive was tasked with developing an
even more performance-oriented and luxurious version of the vaunted
Turbo. This very limited series of ultra-high-performance coupes,
designated the 911 Turbo S, would deliver a delicious combination
of speed and luxury. It was the apex of Porsche Turbo street car
development on the air-cooled 993 platform. Porsche Exclusive
produced just 345 examples over two years. Of that total, 183 were
built for US market.
These power-packed coupes were fitted with 3.6-liter flat-six
engines with the X50 power package, which developed a thundering
430 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 423 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.
These light-alloy engines boasted a pair of larger K24
turbochargers which boosted mid-range and top speed performance,
and included a large intercooler nestled under the engine cover. An
additional oil cooler was fitted to better manage the increased
underhood heat. An upgraded Bosch Motronic engine management system
kept fuel and spark under precise control.
The Turbo S sent its immense power to the road through a six-speed
manual transaxle with limited-slip and then to a sophisticated
all-wheel-drive system first developed for the incredible 959 of
the mid-1980s, with the all-wheel-drive configuration providing
incredible grip and acceleration.
The Turbo S added an Aerokit II bi-plane rear wing, enlarged from
that of the earlier 964 Turbo S. Also included were new front air
intake ducting that replaced the integrated fog lamps, special air
inlets (similar to the 959) on the rear quarters, a new exhaust
system with quadruple tips, and Litronic headlamps. Model-specific
badging was added at several points both inside and outside the
car. Porsche's "Turbo-twist" five-spoke light-alloy wheels, sized 8
x 18 and 10 x 18 inches, were finished in a special "metal gloss
effect" paint from Cetelon, available exclusively on the Turbo S
model. Behind the special wheels lurked large 12.6 inch
power-assisted, ventilated, and cross-drilled multi-piston disc
brakes with yellow calipers that delivered impressive stopping
power. The Turbo S was capable of 0-60 mph sprints of barely four
seconds. The standing quarter mile flashed past in about 12
seconds, and given room to run, the Turbo S could see a maximum of
nearly 185 mph. Yet this was not a bone-shaking, full-on racing
car. This most-developed, force-fed 911 was lavishly trimmed and
well-equipped.
The example offered here was completed at the Stuttgart works on 9
April 1997 and delivered new to a California enthusiast who
specified the exterior in desirable and sporting Metallic Black.
According to the three-page factory specification sheet, a copy of
which is included, this Turbo S was likely built to order, fitted
with a long list of individual convenience, performance, and trim
items, Power-assisted and automatic items abound: steering, brakes,
seats, sunroof, windows, exterior mirrors, cruise control, climate
control with air conditioning, a security system, and the list goes
on.
Opening the door, the driver enters a full leather interior that
includes fully adjustable and heated front bucket seats with the
Porsche crest embossed on the headrests. There is thick carpeting
underfoot and on the back of the folding rear seats, plus tinted
glass, an onboard computer, a multi-speaker entertainment system
with a remote CR-210 CD player, and a rear window wiper. The thick
steering wheel is leather-wrapped, and nearly every switch and
control is leather-trimmed. There is a full set of silver-faced
instruments that offer a nice color contrast. A polished metal
gearshift knob and parking-brake grip bearing the Porsche name as
well as pedals with aluminum trim round out the sporting interior
specification.
Carbon fiber adorns the lower dashboard and surrounds the gauges,
covers the doorsills and the center console, door panels, and door
pulls - a remarkable interior trim material for 1998. The VDO
tachometer is red-lined at 6,600 rpm and the speedometer, with a
maximum readout of 200 miles per hour, reveals this car's
potential. Opening the front trunk reveals a transverse carbon
fiber strut brace and the remote CD changer, while behind the
carpeting rests a 75 liter fuel tank. Under the floor carpet there
is a collapsible Vredestein spare tire and wheel, tool roll, jack,
and emergency air compressor in its case. This Turbo S retains its
original Owner's Manual and other documents in a black leather
portfolio.
Under current ownership since 2018, this Turbo S appears to have
been well-maintained and treated with the respect and reverence it
deserves. It last changed hands in 2018, at which time the odometer
displayed 19,426 original miles. The consignor, a noted collector,
has added relatively few miles since his purchase. At cataloging,
the odometer reads 20,322 miles. In August of 2021 the car was
delivered to SST Auto in Danbury, Connecticut for a major
servicing. That work order, which is included, entailed fresh
fluids, a full brake service, and a set of new 18-inch Michelin PS2
tires.
The 911 Turbo S coupe as created by Porsche Exclusive delivered
brilliant performance in a highly civilized package; it was subtle
enough to be driven quietly on a daily basis, but capable of
mind-bending acceleration and road-holding on demand. In the past
25 years the limited production Turbo S has become one of the most
collectible variants of Porsche's final air-cooled model and with
prodigious power, styling cues all its own, classic 911 good-looks,
and in the case of this example, low miles and recent servicing, it
looks to remain so. For the Porsche purist, there may be no more
sought-after model.