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- Chassis # WP0AA29951S622761
- Finished In Stunning Paint-To-Sample Dark Green Over Brown Natural Leather Interior
- Featuring Largely Original Paint Throughout The Car
- A Driver Quality Example With Strong And Healthy Mechanicals
- Very Well Optioned With Alloy Turbo Look Wheels, Comfort Package, Technic Package, 3 Spoke Leather Wheel And Much More
- Includes Factory Spare, Tools, Jacks, Manuals, Original Order Form, PPS Certificate, And Available Service Documents
This car is currently located in: Philadelphia, PA
The Overview
When the fifth generation of the 911 hit the US market in 1999, it managed to both retain the classic Porsche look and revolutionize it at the same time. It was the first new chassis platform since the original 911 and the first model to move away from the air-cooled engines to a new water-cooled engine. The “fried egg” or “runny egg” headlights are another unique point of this generation that helps the 996 stand out from its predecessors.
The 996 was produced alongside the first-generation Boxster and was initially only available as a coupé or convertible with rear-wheel drive and later with four-wheel drive. Under the “hood” of the new beast was a 3.4 L flat-6 engine pushing 296 hp through either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. Power output was increased to 300 hp in 2000 before the facelift came along just a year later, which altered some of the body lines as well as the headlights and taillights. The 996 was replaced by the 997 in 2005.
This particular example, Chassis # WP0AA29951S622761, is a pre-facelift model built in April of 2001 and purchased through Sewickley Porsche in Sewickley, PA, in May of that same year. Under the hood is the 3.4 L flat-6 engine with the increased 300 hp output and a 6-speed manual transmission. The story goes that the initial owner had not owned a Porsche since the 914, a car lovingly finished in Zambezi Green. He was convinced by his racing friends to jump into a new 996 and revive his love for the German marque, something he agreed to only if the car would resemble Zambezi Green.
According to the original order form on file, the paint-to-sample “Dark Green” on this 996 is beautifully contrasted by a brown natural leather interior, the highest quality of leather that Porsche offers. Further options on this example include 18” Turbo Look Alloy Wheels, a 3-spoke leather steering wheel, wheel caps with the Porsche crest, Stability Management, Self Dimming Mirrors & Rain Sensor, the Comfort Package, Technic Package, and the Heated Front Seats Package.
The initial owner held on to the car from 2001 to 2015, meticulously maintaining and driving the car to 37,870 miles over the 14-year period. Upon their passing, the car was passed down to his family before ending up in the chicken barn. In 2017, our very own Adam West acquired it and brought it back to life with frequent road trips and equally as frequent services. In November 2017, the thermostat, serpentine belt, and water pump were all replaced, along with an oil and coolant change at George Riggin Specialty Auto in Harmony, PA. It returned that same month for an IMS bearing replacement along with a cam plug, clutch kit, crankshaft seal, and input shaft seal.
After around seven years of loving the car, we received it earlier this year and entrusted Performance Automotive in Malvern, PA, with getting it ready for sale. Apart from the regular fluid changes, the comprehensive service included new valve stems, a new starter, a drive belt, an accessory belt tension pulley, spark plugs, and tube seals, new hood struts, a brake pedal pad, brake discs, front sway bar links, driver’s door mirror glass, luggage lamp and hook, seat belt cover, updated air box grommet, and a parking brake shoe kit. CR Cars in Beverly, NJ replaced and refreshed a few other parts, including new engine mounts, air filter, and vanity mirrors, and repaired the left rear seat back. The front bumper cover was repainted, and the roof touched up, along with cleaning the parking brake lever and the shift knob. The finishing touches were added by Leading Edge Autosport in West Chester, PA, who replaced both front suspension struts, including the bump spots, bearings, bellows, and mounts. The entire car was also dry ice-cleaned for that shiny showroom finish.
Paint-to-sample examples of the 996 are not easy to find, much less ones in such good condition and with such a gorgeous color scheme. With less than 53,000 miles on the odometer and a spotless service record dating back to the original owner, there are no places or scenarios where this Porsche would fail to turn heads. Upon purchase, the new owner will receive the original spare, the toolkit, and jack, the original order form, the original owner’s manuals, a PPS certificate, the CARFAX report, and all of the service records on file.
The Details
exterior
body and paint
This is very much a driver-quality car overall. We know that the front bumper has been painted and that the front of the roof was touched up/blended. As such, taking a paint meter to the car will reveal readings from 2.9-3.6 mils throughout the car. Indicating that it does indeed contain original paint, if not a bit thin. While we believe the car to be original paint, it is not without its faults and blemishes. Sadly, this car was neglected in a barn for about 8 or so years unprotected. During which time, it was exposed to any number of unwanted elements (dust, animals, etc…). As such, there are a handful of small dings, and every panel has a flaw of some kind. But we can report that this car has never been hit, that the panel fitment is excellent, and that it is indeed mostly original paint. It is, however, consistent and, in the end, puts this car well into the driver quality category - which means you can use it without hesitation and still be proud of the original paint.
glass and trim
All of the glass appears to be original to the car, with the windscreen showing flaws in the way of pencil point-sized chips in a few places, and overall the windscreen is a bit peppered from use. All of the other exterior elements are present and correct down to new (optional) “painted center caps” as originally ordered. The only standout flaw regarding the trim is a loose a-pillar windshield molding on the passenger side and one of the typical small cracks on the interior of the driver-side tail light.
wheels
The wheels are the correct units per the original order and were recently refinished along with the lugs and brake calibers.
notable flaws
Please review the photos in detail to see the various paint blemishes, touch-ups, and dings that we have found. Every panel has an issue, flaw or inconsistency.
interior
seats and surfaces
The interior is beautifully contrasting with the exterior in natural brown. There are signs that the car has been used, commensurate with the miles indicated and overall age of the vehicle. There is some wear on the bolster, shifter, steering wheel, and the soft touch plastic items like the center console and inner door sill which shows light scratching. It is otherwise in excellent condition overall with nice headliner, kick panels, door panels, and the entirety of the rear compartment could pass for nearly new.
functionality and accessories
All knobs, pulls, switches, buttons, and stalks are in the correct operating condition. No issues were noted in any of the systems as tested.
engine bay and trunk
engine bay
The engine bay reveals very little, as is the case with most late 911’s. However, what we can see shows a clean, well-serviced engine bay with no issues to note. Original stickers are all in place, and everything appears to be factory-correct.
trunk area
The trunk area is clean and tidy, with our only complaint being that two stays are missing for the cowl finishing plastic that covers the battery area.
Underside
The underside was recently treated to a dry-ice blasting and shows about as good as one could hope on any car from 2001. Concours if there ever was such a thing for the underside of a 996. No obvious leaks or issues to note. Some minor instances of wear and tear/scratches here or there.
mechanicals
engine
This example retains a strong powerplant with no issues and benefits from a comprehensive recent service as documented. We have no complaints or anything to point out. If there was an issues, it was tended to and today is free of any known faults.
transmission
The transmission shifts easily and as designed with a strong clutch and no indication of any issues throughout the gear or rev range.
brakes and suspension
The brakes were just treated to new rotors and pads on all four corners including refinishing the calibers. The front suspension was also gone through with new struts and bushings. As such the car rides as designed and no issues are noted.
tires
The tires are newly installed Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4’s 265/35ZR18 in the rear and 225/40ZR18 in the front. All with 2023 date codes.
driving experience
The 996 generation of Carrera speaks to a certain generation. As it is the “new” Porsche some of us grew up with in showrooms when we knew our driver’s license was in sight, but perhaps the car wasn’t. Thus, being objective can be difficult as it is easy to be continually impressed by these cars. That said, this car received an open checkbook to bring it current. As a paint-to-sample car in stellar colors, we could live with the less-than-perfect condition and at least call it mechanically in order. As such, this car does everything it is supposed to, reliably and without hinting that it might give up. This is a very well-sorted, well-proven example of Porsche's venerable water-cooled 911. A strong and unique example worth going the extra mile for.
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