1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 993
The modified 993 receives a road tester’s seal of approval
Over the past five years my 993 has slowly been transformed into my idea of a perfect driver’s car. I wanted to enhance its capability, improving if possible upon an already great platform to make it an even more fun car to drive. I feel I’ve got very close to this goal, and I absolutely love taking the 993 out on long road trips or even just for a Sunday-morning blast, but like many modified cars, mine has been set up completely to my ideals. So I thought it could be interesting to get someone else behind its wheel to see what they think, someone with years of experience reviewing cars.
Richard Meaden was up for taking the 993 out for a blast and I could not have been happier to be the passenger. It’s a weird experience letting someone else drive your car, even more so when you watch them take it right to its limits, and beyond, all while completely in control. It was sublime.
So what did Dickie think? ‘I haven’t driven a 993 for ages,’ he said, ‘so it was great to have a drive in one again. I’ve also been curious to discover what all the changes have done to it. The suspension is stiff, but I’ve always been a fan of Öhlins kit, and this has their typical blend of firmness and fine control. Combined with the aggressive Yokohama A052 tyres, the geo set-up and the more vocal exhaust it feels RS-like, but the other mods, such as the wheels, mean it’s unique and not a straight copycat, which is cool. I’d love to have another go sometime. I might even let you try the Unicorn [Dickie’s rarely seen 964 RS] if you’re up for it…’
Needless to say, I’m pleased Dickie enjoyed my car and also that he thought it was similar to an RS, which is incredible. Admittedly the chassis has had quite a lot of work to get it to this point, including all the bushes being replaced with polyurethane items, thicker anti-roll bars, tuneable semi-solid engine mounts and the addition of a front strut brace, and that’s before you get to the Öhlins Road and Track dampers and a full chassis set-up. I thought the sound of the new exhaust system might be a little too much for Dickie, but combined with the larger throttle and Cup air box the split between induction and exhaust noise is pretty good.
Overall I’m over the moon with Dickie’s verdict, and loved photographing him getting the 993 sideways. And, of course, I will definitely be taking him up on his offer to drive his 964 RS!
- Date acquired April 2016
- Total mileage 86,612
- Mileage this month 201
- Costs this month £0
- mpg this month 28.1
‘It feels RS-like, but it’s unique and not a straight copycat, which is cool’