Mine
04-26-2013, 10:34 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chicago, IL and Austin, TX
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Mine
A very good friend and long-time business partner of mine bought this car new in 1995. When I first saw it and got to drive it (slowly and just around the block) I was experiencing jealousy of depths I had not seen before.
I was broke at the time and Porsche ownership was not as high on my list of priorities as let's say, paying the rent or buying groceries. Fast forward 17-18 years. My friend told me that he was going to trade in his 993 to buy a new 911. He hadn't used the car much in the last few years, it wasn't running right, it had started to leak oil and it just had a lot of needs.
The dealership offered him a mere pittance for his car. I remembered the glory of the car when it was new well and I offered to buy his 993 for the same money as the dealership offered him. A semi-complicated deal of sorts was struck shortly thereafter and I basically ended up with the 993 for free.
The car had less than 50,000 miles but these were all very hard miles; short trips in town and lots of stop-and-go crawling in heavy traffic. The engine had to came out to put in a new clutch and since the car was free I decided it was economically feasible to upgrade the engine to RS specs. I used 3.8 liter RS pistons and cylinders, RS cams, a RS DME chip and had some head work done with light weight retainers and RS springs. Cars from 1995 and older are not subject to emissions testing in Illinois and so I had the catalytic converters removed. I also had the gearing changed to improve acceleration at the expense of some top speed. Only original Porsche parts were used.
The increase in peak horsepower is nice but it is the improved torque that really enhances the driving experience. The 993 combines the best of both worlds; it has the power, handling and creature comforts of modern cars but also the sound and air-cooledness of vintage Porsches.
Over the winter months I had portions of the car resprayed and had, after some research on the interweb (RL mostly), Koni FSD shocks with MO33 springs installed.
I have, by now, spend more moolah on this vehicle than I could ever hope to get if I sold it, even though I started with a free car. The interior is looking a bit tired and when this is tackled next winter I will be even deeper in the hole. I don't care because I am not selling. This one is a keeper. This one is mine.
I was broke at the time and Porsche ownership was not as high on my list of priorities as let's say, paying the rent or buying groceries. Fast forward 17-18 years. My friend told me that he was going to trade in his 993 to buy a new 911. He hadn't used the car much in the last few years, it wasn't running right, it had started to leak oil and it just had a lot of needs.
The dealership offered him a mere pittance for his car. I remembered the glory of the car when it was new well and I offered to buy his 993 for the same money as the dealership offered him. A semi-complicated deal of sorts was struck shortly thereafter and I basically ended up with the 993 for free.
The car had less than 50,000 miles but these were all very hard miles; short trips in town and lots of stop-and-go crawling in heavy traffic. The engine had to came out to put in a new clutch and since the car was free I decided it was economically feasible to upgrade the engine to RS specs. I used 3.8 liter RS pistons and cylinders, RS cams, a RS DME chip and had some head work done with light weight retainers and RS springs. Cars from 1995 and older are not subject to emissions testing in Illinois and so I had the catalytic converters removed. I also had the gearing changed to improve acceleration at the expense of some top speed. Only original Porsche parts were used.
The increase in peak horsepower is nice but it is the improved torque that really enhances the driving experience. The 993 combines the best of both worlds; it has the power, handling and creature comforts of modern cars but also the sound and air-cooledness of vintage Porsches.
Over the winter months I had portions of the car resprayed and had, after some research on the interweb (RL mostly), Koni FSD shocks with MO33 springs installed.
I have, by now, spend more moolah on this vehicle than I could ever hope to get if I sold it, even though I started with a free car. The interior is looking a bit tired and when this is tackled next winter I will be even deeper in the hole. I don't care because I am not selling. This one is a keeper. This one is mine.
04-26-2013, 10:46 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
Congrats what a great story. I love complicated deals of sorts like that 
You know that is really special when you get to a point in life when you can make decisions like that. They might not make perfect sense to others but they make sense to you. I love it. Enjoy.
You know that is really special when you get to a point in life when you can make decisions like that. They might not make perfect sense to others but they make sense to you. I love it. Enjoy.
04-26-2013, 10:46 AM
#4
I love it. I have also sunk a lot of money into my car, but I don't care since I will never sell. Never ever? Never ever!
With a sorted out engine and suspension you have created the perfect car. Enjoy.
With a sorted out engine and suspension you have created the perfect car. Enjoy.
04-26-2013, 11:24 AM
#6
Rennlist Member
Great story!
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04-26-2013, 01:45 PM
#9
Great story. It's always nice to hear about someone reviving one of these cars to its rightful glory. I am kind of doing the same with mine right now. Enjoy the process and the fruits of your labor.
04-26-2013, 03:13 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Wow great story. Congrats to you. That's a great build and refresh your doing.
04-26-2013, 03:49 PM
#13
Congrat's on getting a great car and getting it back to into great condition.
Don't be be surprised if the money you put into it was returned if you ever had to sell....a well sorted low mile 993 with RS specs is hard to find and will go for a premium.
Co-incidentally, a good friend in Chicago has a '95, Metallic Black, 66K mile car that he longer drives, he had it since '95 and of course the dealer offered a pittance despite it being a no-issues well maintained car, thankfully he took my advice and reconsidered selling it via Rennlist before giving it away to the dealer!
Don't be be surprised if the money you put into it was returned if you ever had to sell....a well sorted low mile 993 with RS specs is hard to find and will go for a premium.
Co-incidentally, a good friend in Chicago has a '95, Metallic Black, 66K mile car that he longer drives, he had it since '95 and of course the dealer offered a pittance despite it being a no-issues well maintained car, thankfully he took my advice and reconsidered selling it via Rennlist before giving it away to the dealer!
