For Sale at Auction: 1998 Porsche 911 in Costa Mesa, California

Chassis No. WP0ZZZ99ZWS370650
Engine No. 61W01089
Transmission No. 2008570

As Porsche began the transition of the iconic 911 from air-cooled to water-cooled with the 996 generation, the marque gave its celebrated 993 platform a final, fitting sendoff. Tasked with this mission, Porsche Exclusive developed the ultimate evolution of the air-cooled Turbo-the limited-production 911 Turbo S. Merging luxury with motorsport-grade performance, this flagship 911 was engineered to represent the pinnacle of air-cooled Turbo street car development, offering heightened power, exclusivity, and refinement in equal measure.

Built in highly limited numbers at the end of 993 production, only 160 examples of the Rest of World (RoW) specification 911 Turbo S were produced by Porsche Exclusive. Each was powered by a 3.6-liter flat-six equipped with the 450-horsepower XLC option code performance kit-well known as Werks Leistungssteigerung 2 (WLS2). Along with the 1998 911 GT2, this was the most powerful road-legal air-cooled 911 ever offered. This prodigious power was achieved through a pair of larger turbochargers, a more efficient intercooler, an additional oil cooler, and a modified Bosch Motronic injection system. The result was sharper throttle response, stronger mid-range performance, and increased top-end capability-all without sacrificing reliability or drivability. Power was routed through a six-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential and Porsche's advanced all-wheel-drive system, first pioneered on the groundbreaking 959 supercar.

Visually, the Turbo S distinguished itself with its aggressive Aerokit II front spoiler and rear wing, redesigned front air ducts with integrated fog lamps, and unique rear quarter-panel air intakes inspired by the 959. A four-pipe exhaust system-a subtle hallmark of special turbocharged Porsche engines-reinforced the car's serious performance intent, while exclusive badging inside and out underscored its rarity and status.

Riding on distinctive 18-inch "Turbo Twist" light-alloy wheels finished in a special "metal gloss effect" by Cetelon-a wheel finish reserved solely for the Turbo S-the car concealed massive 12.6-inch cross-drilled and ventilated disc brakes with multi-piston Speed Yellow-finished Brembo brake calipers. Furthermore, the ride height for the 911 Turbo S was lowered 15 mm with unibody strut dome reinforcement and a carbon fiber/aluminum front strut brace for good measure!

Capable of a run to 60 miles per hour in just over four seconds and a top speed approaching 185 miles per hour, the Turbo S delivered explosive performance. Yet, it remained remarkably refined, featuring full leather upholstery, premium amenities, and Porsche's hallmark build quality. Depending on the pilot, this final air-cooled Turbo could be as much of a grand tourer as it was a supercar, making it one of the most coveted 911s of its era.

Ordered in the otherworldly color of Vesuvio Metallic, a shade known to shift from dark grey to a strong purple depending on lighting, this 911 Turbo S is indeed one of only 160 Rest of World examples fitted as standard with the 450-horsepower (XLC) WLS2 Power Kit. Unavailable in the United States when new, the WLS2-powered Turbo S offers a 20-horsepower increase over those offered in the U.S. Inside the Turbo S is awash in Black leather and carbon fiber with the racing-derived interior trim just beginning to appear in Porsche's road cars.

Optional extras ordered when new included left and right sport seats with Z-Option embossed crests from the Exclusive department, Infrared security system, 92-liter fuel tank, and a Becker / Porsche CDR-21 CD-player headunit. So too was option code 617, better known as Motorola 2200 in-car mobile telephone, which was de rigueur for executives of the day to stay in communication with their team after a long day at the office on the way home from work. The total with over 20.000 DM of options came to an impressive 264.000 DM original purchase price, or approximately $160,000.

Finished in April 1998, the German-market example, one of just 50 produced for Porsche's home market, was sold to Gerd Wetzler through Ernst Islinger Porsche Zentrum in Mannheim Germany. Wetzler kept the specially ordered car until 2001 with 52,500 km recorded. It was then acquired by its second owner also through Ernst Islinger and registered in Milan, Italy. Over the next 21 years, the car was retained by this special individual, who moved to Switzerland, France, England, and then back to France enjoying the car primary on high speed commutes on the Italian Autostrada and French Autoroutes. With each move, the collectible Turbo S followed like a member of the family. The impressive history file records each move, service, and inspection over these two decades, an irreplaceable trove of information that only the most devoted owners compile.

In 2022 the car was acquired by the consignor who, by 2025, brought the car to the United States, one of the very few-if not only-Turbo S with the 450-horsepower WLS2 power increase located in the country. Under current ownership, this highly collectible Vesuvio Metallic example has received its Porsche Classic Technical Certificate at Porsche North Houston confirming it matching numbers status. At the time of consignment, it features just over 112,000 original kilometers (approximately 69,613 miles miles) at cataloging and is furnished with it owners manuals, service book, and impressive service history and ownership file.

Crafted by Porsche Exclusive, the 911 Turbo S delivers exhilarating performance wrapped in a remarkably refined package. In true Porsche fashion, it was created to be perfectly suited for everyday driving yet capable of unleashing astonishing acceleration and handling when called upon. Over the past 25 years, this limited-production supercar has become arguably the most desirable iteration of Porsche's final air-cooled 911 Turbo. With its distinctive styling, formidable power, timeless 911 silhouette, and-in the case of this example-a rare WLS2 with 450 horsepower finished in the epic shade of Vesuvio Metallic, its collectability shows no signs of waning. For the Porsche purist, few 911 Turbos on offer today could be more documented and coveted.