jmriggio

Oh wise ones, upon awakening from a L-tryptophan slumber yesterday, I began to formulate my Xmas list...my porsche library needs some work. Can I get some opinions on the "Top 5" Porsche 911/993 books.....?
Thanks,

Joe

Father of 3

Gold Plated Porsche is a really fun read. Not a technical DIY book, or a racing/how to drive book, or a book that is necessarily about the history of the 911. It is, rather, a book about an ex-editor of car and driver who buys an 83 911 for $10k and proceeds to spend an additional $60k restoring it and souping up the engine with the help of none other than our own Steve W. The book goes into the idiosyncrocies of the 911, some of the heritage, and even indirectly talks about Rennlist. The guy is pretty interesting and fills the rest of the book about some of his other interests: he built his own airplane, is a volunteer fire fighter, smuggled drugs for a bit, and was editor of car and driver. A fun book. Don't know about top 5 but if you have some room on your bookshelve for a fun read I would definitely recommend it.

993RS

- Porsche 911 Story, Paul Frére
- Porsche 911 Performance Handbook, Bruce Anderson
- Porsche 911, in all its forms, Chris Harvey
- Porsche 911 Gold Portfolio, 1990-1997, Brocklands Books

993RS

almost forgot:
- Porsche High-Performance Driving Handbook, Vic Elford

chris walrod

You guys forgot about Adrians book Of course, a predicted reference..

Mike J

I also recommend Wayne Dempsey's book, "How to rebuild and modify Porsche 911 Engines - 1965-1989" if you like to get into the guts of the car. Very well written with tons of pictures. You can order it directly through Pelican. It does not cover 993's (yet) but its pretty close.

Cheers,

Mike

Father of 3

How close is it? My guess is stuff like brakes, oil, etc. should be the same. How would you know if it is the same or not?

Mike J

This book is totally focused on the engine itself. It covers diagnosis, teardown and rebuild. Its designed to follow step-by-step through a rebuild process. For a techie like me its a good book since it shows all the little internal details of the engine (especially since I will be taking my 993 engine apart soon).

The 993 engine and the pre-1964 engines are very similar but do have differences that you need to be aware of before ripping into one. Wayne is planning an update but it is not scheduled.

This book does not cover anything outside the engine and in fact does not even mention how to drop the engine.

Another book of that vintage is the Bentley books...these are rather large maintenance books that cover the whole car. Unforunately they do not cover the 993. I have asked them and no plan is in the works...it appears that 993 owners do much less work themselves than the 964 and previous owners.

Cheers,

Mike

gordo993

Excellence was Expected 3 book set - anything you ever wanted to know about any Porsche and then some. Pricy and getting harder to find, but well worth it!!

993RS

Didn't forget it, just thought it would not be out for Christmas unfortunately....

jla3317

"Porsche 911: Perfection by Design" (2005) by Randy Leffingwell. A good history of the 911 from development and the early models up until the 997. Well written and interesting, though not as detailed as "Excellence was Expected." I recommend it for anyone's Porsche library.

touf

Check out www.motorbooks.com
Click on Porsche or click on the different racing/instruction section.
Plenty of books.
My Xmas list was simple: A link to this website

Ray Calvo

Might be hard to find, but that's your problem. However, all totally dedicated to the 993.
Have included Porsche part number to help.

- 993 Factory shop manual (WKD 483 121) - A MUST, you cheapskates and copyright violators!
- 993 parts microfiche (WET 615 421) - see above
- Porsche Technical Specifications, 94/95 Model (neat little pocket book, 113 pages) (WKD 424 520)
- Porsche 1995 Fact Book (US salesman info book w/ complete list of options, and manuf. prices) (Porsche Cars North America publication, can't see part no.)
- Service Information Technik '94 (complete tech description of changes from previous 911 models) (WKD 498 621)
- Service Information Technical Bulletins - Compilation of TSBs issued that year, separate one issued every year; I have '95 - '98 (PNA 000 082)

chris walrod

Now Ray, that made me laugh out loud

Adrian

Just a quick update on my 993 book.
My copy of the Porsche 993 The Enthusiasts Companion "King of Porsche" has just arrived.
This means that the actual store copies are on their way into the system. I have no control over this system, but the book has left the printers.
Ciao,
Adrian.