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Excellence's 'Turbo Cab' feature: "The 993 Porsche never offered in the U.S." (#206)
I LUV Excellence magazine. They have a good thing going. If they'd just let a 993 dominate a cover again (IIRC, >10 years ago - #104) they'd have a great thing ... I could be a bit biased, though .
In the meantime, they have a terrific trend of featuring exotic open-air 993s:
a RLer's wide-body cab, my WB Speedster, & now ... a WB Turbo Cab!
Even better: all three features were photographed & written by RLer zMayne
I recently shot this Porsche 993 Turbo Cabriolet in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is a car that Porsche never produced officially, so a persistent owner decided to make his own based on a 993 C4 Cabrio and powered by a 500-hp twin turbo 993 Twin Turbo engine.
Excellence issue #206 goes on sale November 13 Sneak peak part 1 of 2:
Originally Posted by Zachary Mayne
WHEN JOHN MERVIN BOUGHT HIS 1995 CARRERA 4 CABRIOLET, it was a good secondhand buy, a 993 that just needed a little sorting to make into a truly great car.
“It was a little neglected and needed some freshening up,” says Mervin, who pauses before he makes an admission: “I just took that a little too far.”
How far did the Berkeley, California resident go? The car now does a pretty convincing impersonation of a 993 Turbo Cabriolet, a model Porsche never offered.
In fact, prior to the 996-based Turbo Cabriolet that the company launched in 2004, Porsche officially had only offered a 911 Turbo Cabriolet from 1987 to 1989.
Zach goes on to mention that Chris Carroll's TurboKraft performed the Turbo transformation.
TurboKraft had a previous 993 featured by Excellence, "The Sleeper," a turbo-charged narrow-body with hidden intercoolers and no Turbo tail.
I met Chris when he parked it next to my 993, 'Speedy,' at a Dana Point, CA, Concours d'Elegance.
He took many photos of Speedy, saying he loved her curves ... but was smart enough to mention how much more stealthy fun she'd be with a hidden turbo transplant
Would you like this Midnight Blue Turbo Cab any better with a subtle, stock C2S/C4S spoiler?
J: Several years ago I was going to have Chris do a turbo like Mike's '95 Cab. But my starting point was a '97 and I was worried about Cal smog, so I I didn't get beyond talking with Chris and getting prices. Chris is a solid guy, and was very helpful. Very cool to see your post.
That was the first article I read when I got the mag in the mail. Love that car. The only question I have is why didn't they install the top cover (bonnet/boot)? Would have finished the look in the photos.
TurboKraft only did the mechanicals: engine transplant, boost gauge in the ashtray, functional OBD-II (CA emissions legal), suspension.
After that, John addressed all the cosmetics: wider Turbo rear fenders (and all related fender liners, heat shields, etc.), Turbo front bumper, interior, top, etc.
Hmm, don't know why they didn't install the cover over the open cabrio top. Yeah, that would have been tidier for the photos.
Glad you like it. The car was a pleasure to build, all very OE -- only more fun to drive with the close ratio gears and drop top.
Chris ^^ Great catching up at Rennsport Reunion! Thanks for introducing me to Tate
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There isnt much we can say about this incredible 1 of 1 custom built 993 Turbo Cabriolet that Excellence Magazine hasnt covered. Below is a link to the December 2012 (issue # 206) article that describes the construction of this Porsche in great detail. http://www.excellence-mag.com/issues...b#.Vd4QjJenxVc This build was completed using almost entirely OEM Porsche parts. For those of who are too busy to read the entire article we have included a basic breakdown of this epic cars DNA.Started life as a 1995 Carrera 4 cabriolet:- Midnight blue paint (original factory color)- Real 993 Turbo engine installed by TurboKraft in Arizona (lager compressor wheel from K24 unit)-Steel body turbo conversation (Quarter panels, and rockers purchased new from Porsche)-500hp rating-Original 993 C4 transmission & short shifter kit (rebuilt)-RS touring flywheel-Bilstein PSS-9 coil-overs-Adjustable Rear-Toe-links-993 Turbo brakes-18 993 Turbo wheels-Hardback 993 sport seats (hardback is midnight blue)-996 GT2 RS steering wheel-993 Turbo mufflers modified to improve airflow & exhaust noteThere is far too much information about this vehicle to list here so please read the Excellence Magazine article in its entirety or call us for more information.The current mileage reads 124K but please keep in mind that is mileage on the chassis of the donor car. The mileage of the 993 Turbo engine is less than half the chassis mileage.Car comes complete with service records that completely document the build, extra keys, owners books, Magazine placard and a clean Carfax history.
10-27-2012, 11:16 PM
Excellence's 'Turbo Cab' feature: "The 993 Porsche never offered in the U.S." (#206)
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