laurence '97 C4S

Recent threads on value have got me thinking about the special place the 993 holds in the evolution of the longest running sports car (the 911) in automotive history. I cannot think of another dividing point equal to the 993s, which made it nearly an instant classic from day one.

The closest that came to my mind, which didn’t prove out, was discussion in the ‘80s with Ferrari moving to mid-engine design and so marking the Daytona a classic as the last of the big front-engine V12s. This, of course, didn’t hold as Ferrari once again went back to producing front engine V12s after several years of solely making mid-engine cars.

The only area that might equal the 993 “last of the air cooled” for dramatic change, and therefore collectability, would be the early adapter hybrid supercars. Thoughts?

EMBPilot

me thinks you're over thinking....

RodKnock

I could be missing something, but the Corvette began production in 1953 and the Porsche 911 began in 1963. Again, I'm not an expert or historian on the subject.

laurence '97 C4S

Yes, you are correct. I should've written "one of" the longest. But the Corvette is an interesting case in point. Nothing like the dramatic/final nature of the oil to water changeover has occurred in its evolutionary history.

NYC993

Was 993 really instant classic? I thought they had tough time selling them.

Why did they keep air-cooled engine for so long? Was it for reliability, size or other reasons?