For Sale at Auction: 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo in Costa Mesa, California

Chassis No. WP0AB29971S687463

When the 986 Boxster debuted in the U.S. in 1996, it was met with enthusiasm, but the closely related 996-generation 911 drew skepticism from Porsche purists due to its departure from traditional styling and air-cooled engines. Those doubts, however, were silenced with the arrival of the new 911 Turbo in 2001. Positioned between the naturally aspirated 911 and the track-focused GT2 that debuted in 2002, the 911 Turbo delivered an ideal blend of grand touring comfort and supercar-level performance.

Powered by a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged "Metzger" flat-six derived from the GT1 race car and sharing internal components with the GT3, it produced 415 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque in stock form-sent through an advanced all-wheel-drive system and aided by speed-activated aerodynamics. Capable of reaching 62 mph in just 4.2 seconds and topping out at 196 mph, the 911 Turbo reasserted Porsche's dominance in the world of high-performance sports cars, all while maintaining the civility of a daily driver. Eager enthusiasts flocked to dealers to order their own powerful 911 Turbos, yet only the most devoted among them personalized them to such an extent with Porsche Exclusive as this spectacular example.

While many 996-generation 911 Turbos were selected in a limited palette of common colors and interior options befitting the average age of a new Porsche purchaser, the original owner of this 911 Turbo bucked the trend selecting rare Biarritz White over a full Natural Brown leather interior replete with Dark Burr Maple trim. Less than two percent of 996 production were painted in any shade of White, and even fewer likely opted for this attractive hue-more commonly seen on GT3 Cup cars of the era-for the 911 Turbo. It is an exceptionally rare color to see on a 996.

Thousands were spent on the 14 Exclusive options that included 10 Dark Burr Maple trim pieces, including the side air vents, speaker covers, dashboard trim strip, instrument surround, and steering wheel. The "X99" Natural Leather interior additionally features Porsche Crest-embossed sport seat headrests, Natural Brown leather sun visors, and a leather-covered ignition lock surround. A full accounting of the optional extras that include heated front seats with lumbar, Digital Sound Package, Front Bumperette Delete, and more is available for review.

The clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report reveals a small string of Southern California-based owners with minimal miles added in the past 20 years. In fact, this rare Biarritz White 911 Turbo features just 15,996 miles at cataloging and is exceptionally well-kept inside and out. In 2004 Schatz Motorsport of Camarillo, California was enlisted to install a select group of performance enhancements that included an FVD 996 TT Control Unit, 996 GT2 intercoolers, and billet air recirculating valves to enhance engine performance. An M030 Suspension Package and short shift kit were added to enhance the Turbo's already sporting feel.

Offered with a digital build sheet, a clean CARFAX, toolkit, spare, and jack, this low-mileage 911 Turbo is one for the performance minded collector ordered in rare Biarritz White and exceptionally optioned with the help of Porsche Exclusive. Accompanied by its six-speed manual transmission and desirable factory and aftermarket performance upgrades, it represents a standout example of the 996 Turbo with both rarity and driver-focused appeal.