Originally Posted by Krulm;[url=tel:18569582

18569582[/url]]Close but no cigar! I'm at 67k miles and about as base as it gets, best I can tell. At least I got the option that puts the steering wheel on the correct side.

Originally Posted by 168glhs1986

Early builds must have Ambers no matter if visually pleasing or not. LOL. I resisted on my white car

Originally Posted by brontosaurus

Question -- if a 99 has clear tail lights, but amber headlights, does that mean one or the other was replaced at some point?

Originally Posted by islaTurbine

No one knows with 100% certainty. Most of us would assume yes, but Porsche has historically done some wonky mismatching of parts on cars over the years. Especially during mid-cycle refreshes/changes (roughly August through September of 1998 in this case).

Originally Posted by brontosaurus

Question -- if a 99 has clear tail lights, but amber headlights, does that mean one or the other was replaced at some point?

Originally Posted by bdronsick

There is no other single 911 model year that is so unique within its own generation, as MY1999.

And then, even within MY1999, there is the "early-build" '99 variant in amber lenses, that is even less numerous (only 3,649 known examples worldwide), and even more unique!

Here is the unified list of what we've gathered on these beauties over the past 24 years;


I. General MY1999 Uniquenesses overall:

1. Dual-row original IMSB, that is eminently more durable than the later single-row design introduced mid-2000 production. First half of MY2K production cars use the 1999 dual-row as well. Anecdotal evidence suggests less than 1% failure rate for these original 1999 dual-row IMSB units. I personally drove a former MY1999 to 160K miles with original IMSB without issue (sold the car AFAIK still going strong)

2. Legacy 911 cable throttle (C2 only, not C4). Like all previous 911's before 996, you decide how much gas the motor gets with your right foot. With later >MY2K "eGas" the ECU decides this for you.

3. Manual actuation front and rear trunk latches. If the battery dies it can be instantly accessed for charging by simple lever pull. MK2K shares this feature, but with later >MY2001 cars the trunk's operation is electrified through the ECU, making dead battery access astronomically difficult (if not virtually impossible) through a latched trunk.

4. No "nannies" (TC/PSM/PASM etc...). TC (Traction Control), which was a sort of prehistoric precursor to PSM (Porsche Stability Management), was actually only optional in MY1999. So I personally sought out only 1999's without TC; this isn't possible on the >MK2K and later PSM cars. And of course it's all become a downhill slide into auto-driving electronica from there 997> (PASM, etc...). Thus a true "no nanny" 1999 996 (TC delete) is not only an astronomically rare find, it is the only actual 100% "analog" driving water-cooled 911 in existence, except for full blown GT and racing variants that weren't sold in the U.S. until MKII 2002>.5. "Buffalo Hyde" dash and "Granite" interior materials. Some consider these unique, if not quirky, 1999 interior materials superior in look, feel, and durability to the later "Pleather" & "soft touch" rubberized surfaces fitted MY2K> and later. Indeed complaints about 996 "plastic-y" interior materials regard the later MY2K> versions; which is quite ironic as the M2K> standard "Pleather" dash material is apparently identical to the previous 964/993. See "early 1999" list below for additional <09/98 clarification.

6. Optional LSD (limited slip differential). This optional feature available only MY1999 can be important to drivers who track their cars. Unfortunately LSD was always paired with TC, so the "holy grail" of LSD and no-TC is only possible on the 1999 GT3 that was never delivered to North America. A "no nanny" 1999 (see #4 above) is the closest one can get to this "grail" 996 in the United States.

7. Legacy 993 headliner material; uses original 911 lightweight vinyl instead of the much thicker and heavier Alcantara MY2K> & later, that required more finicky and noisome metal supports. Lends another “solid” vintage touch to the MY1999 interior that 911 purists love.

8. No OBC (on board computer) as standard. For the "purist" sect the early 1999's that did not choose the OBC option (#659) came both without the computer display in the dash, and missing the fourth steering control stalk for OBC operation. Some enjoy the increased left leg room. OBC functions are nonetheless present in all 996 ECU, and can be enabled on the early 1999 by fitting a functioning switch into a dash or console button blank slot for this purpose. Regardless the lack of OBC control stalk and simpler gauges readout lends yet another "vintage" aura to the early 1999 interior for purists.

II. Specific Early-Build '99 (Ambers) Uniquenesses: Subset of MY1999 with build date stickers from 11/97 - 08/981. "Hand assembled" in sequence with the outgoing 993 production cars on their assembly line. Classic 911 engineering guru Jake Raby, and many others, have noted a tangibly increased "build quality" with these "early build" '99 cars. I personally find no quality deficiency in any 996 of any year, however I can attest the "early build" 99's do "feel" indestructible somehow, in a kind of ineffable way. The squeaks, creaks & rattles seemingly ubiquitous on classic 911's, and the subsequent water-cooled generations that followed, are strangely absent on these early-build '99 "tanks".

2. Amber-lenses head and tail lights. Affectionately known for their "fried eggs" moniker, these singularly unique (see note below) lighting units were fitted exclusively on the limited, "early build" '99 production run on the 993 assembly line. Anecdotally its believed Porsche fitted the special amber lighting to "commemorate" the brief, early-production run, as this "changing of the guard" was celebrated internally by Porsche far more than Marketing allowed the factory to share publicly. For example a much higher than usual percentage of these "early build" '99 cars were internal Porsche "Executive" orders (included under "Sonderwunsch", or "Special Wishes" option code #09991), and most of these likely remain "in the family" to this day. Even The Porsche Museum utilizes a disproportionately high number of "early-build" '99 amber lenses examples in both live installations on site, and all its social media/advertising involving the now "Porsche Classic" Type 996. IE, Americans may not be hoarding early-build 996's yet, but Porsche employees & insiders have been curating them for decades.3. Color-thru "Granite" interior materials (nicknamed "Sparkle"). This original early 1999 "Granite" material was manufactured by the same company, and used in Rolls Royce's of the same generation. It's very distinctive, and unique. And very nearly indestructible. Later 1999 (>09/98) cars switched to a color-applied granite-like material which is somewhat less durable than the earlier color-thru material; but remains vastly more durable than the rubberized stuff that was used MY2000 and later.

4. Ultra Lightweight #408 BBS "Technology" wheels: An extremely light 993 narrow fitment Turbo wheel option #408 was commissioned by Porsche from BBS, and also made available to "early-build" MY1999. To date these #408's are the lightest 18" wheels ever offered by Porsche (YES, lighter by almost two pounds than the fabled MY02 "Carerra II Lightweights"), and the early-build 1999's lucky enough to have been so equipped actually weigh less than 2,900 lbs total; rendering these scant few MY1999 examples the lightest road-legal 911's ever built with 300HP+. And given the option was only available briefly during early-build MY1999 production, there were few enough configured this way for these variants to now be considered extremely rare; which is exceptional for any "modern" Porsche.

Originally Posted by bdronsick

There is no other single 911 model year that is so unique within its own generation, as MY1999.

And then, even within MY1999, there is the "early-build" '99 variant in amber lenses, that is even less numerous (only 3,649 known examples worldwide), and even more unique!

Here is the unified list of what we've gathered on these beauties over the past 24 years;


I. General MY1999 Uniquenesses overall:

1. Dual-row original IMSB, that is eminently more durable than the later single-row design introduced mid-2000 production. First half of MY2K production cars use the 1999 dual-row as well. Anecdotal evidence suggests less than 1% failure rate for these original 1999 dual-row IMSB units. I personally drove a former MY1999 to 160K miles with original IMSB without issue (sold the car AFAIK still going strong)

2. Legacy 911 cable throttle (C2 only, not C4). Like all previous 911's before 996, you decide how much gas the motor gets with your right foot. With later >MY2K "eGas" the ECU decides this for you.

3. Manual actuation front and rear trunk latches. If the battery dies it can be instantly accessed for charging by simple lever pull. MK2K shares this feature, but with later >MY2001 cars the trunk's operation is electrified through the ECU, making dead battery access astronomically difficult (if not virtually impossible) through a latched trunk.

4. No "nannies" (TC/PSM/PASM etc...). TC (Traction Control), which was a sort of prehistoric precursor to PSM (Porsche Stability Management), was actually only optional in MY1999. So I personally sought out only 1999's without TC; this isn't possible on the >MK2K and later PSM cars. And of course it's all become a downhill slide into auto-driving electronica from there 997> (PASM, etc...). Thus a true "no nanny" 1999 996 (TC delete) is not only an astronomically rare find, it is the only actual 100% "analog" driving water-cooled 911 in existence, except for full blown GT and racing variants that weren't sold in the U.S. until MKII 2002>.5. "Buffalo Hyde" dash and "Granite" interior materials. Some consider these unique, if not quirky, 1999 interior materials superior in look, feel, and durability to the later "Pleather" & "soft touch" rubberized surfaces fitted MY2K> and later. Indeed complaints about 996 "plastic-y" interior materials regard the later MY2K> versions; which is quite ironic as the M2K> standard "Pleather" dash material is apparently identical to the previous 964/993. See "early 1999" list below for additional <09/98 clarification.

6. Optional LSD (limited slip differential). This optional feature available only MY1999 can be important to drivers who track their cars. Unfortunately LSD was always paired with TC, so the "holy grail" of LSD and no-TC is only possible on the 1999 GT3 that was never delivered to North America. A "no nanny" 1999 (see #4 above) is the closest one can get to this "grail" 996 in the United States.

7. Legacy 993 headliner material; uses original 911 lightweight vinyl instead of the much thicker and heavier Alcantara MY2K> & later, that required more finicky and noisome metal supports. Lends another “solid” vintage touch to the MY1999 interior that 911 purists love.

8. No OBC (on board computer) as standard. For the "purist" sect the early 1999's that did not choose the OBC option (#659) came both without the computer display in the dash, and missing the fourth steering control stalk for OBC operation. Some enjoy the increased left leg room. OBC functions are nonetheless present in all 996 ECU, and can be enabled on the early 1999 by fitting a functioning switch into a dash or console button blank slot for this purpose. Regardless the lack of OBC control stalk and simpler gauges readout lends yet another "vintage" aura to the early 1999 interior for purists.

II. Specific Early-Build '99 (Ambers) Uniquenesses: Subset of MY1999 with build date stickers from 11/97 - 08/981. "Hand assembled" in sequence with the outgoing 993 production cars on their assembly line. Classic 911 engineering guru Jake Raby, and many others, have noted a tangibly increased "build quality" with these "early build" '99 cars. I personally find no quality deficiency in any 996 of any year, however I can attest the "early build" 99's do "feel" indestructible somehow, in a kind of ineffable way. The squeaks, creaks & rattles seemingly ubiquitous on classic 911's, and the subsequent water-cooled generations that followed, are strangely absent on these early-build '99 "tanks".

2. Amber-lenses head and tail lights. Affectionately known for their "fried eggs" moniker, these singularly unique (see note below) lighting units were fitted exclusively on the limited, "early build" '99 production run on the 993 assembly line. Anecdotally its believed Porsche fitted the special amber lighting to "commemorate" the brief, early-production run, as this "changing of the guard" was celebrated internally by Porsche far more than Marketing allowed the factory to share publicly. For example a much higher than usual percentage of these "early build" '99 cars were internal Porsche "Executive" orders (included under "Sonderwunsch", or "Special Wishes" option code #09991), and most of these likely remain "in the family" to this day. Even The Porsche Museum utilizes a disproportionately high number of "early-build" '99 amber lenses examples in both live installations on site, and all its social media/advertising involving the now "Porsche Classic" Type 996. IE, Americans may not be hoarding early-build 996's yet, but Porsche employees & insiders have been curating them for decades.3. Color-thru "Granite" interior materials (nicknamed "Sparkle"). This original early 1999 "Granite" material was manufactured by the same company, and used in Rolls Royce's of the same generation. It's very distinctive, and unique. And very nearly indestructible. Later 1999 (>09/98) cars switched to a color-applied granite-like material which is somewhat less durable than the earlier color-thru material; but remains vastly more durable than the rubberized stuff that was used MY2000 and later.

4. Ultra Lightweight #408 BBS "Technology" wheels: An extremely light 993 narrow fitment Turbo wheel option #408 was commissioned by Porsche from BBS, and also made available to "early-build" MY1999. To date these #408's are the lightest 18" wheels ever offered by Porsche (YES, lighter by almost two pounds than the fabled MY02 "Carerra II Lightweights"), and the early-build 1999's lucky enough to have been so equipped actually weigh less than 2,900 lbs total; rendering these scant few MY1999 examples the lightest road-legal 911's ever built with 300HP+. And given the option was only available briefly during early-build MY1999 production, there were few enough configured this way for these variants to now be considered extremely rare; which is exceptional for any "modern" Porsche.

Originally Posted by Garage19builds;[url=tel:18817764

18817764[/url]]I have some questions, my cars build date is 01/98. It's a manual 6 speed, with no tc button, no tc dash lights or anything like that if that was a thing not sure I don't have them. I have no obc lever or thing on the column just turn signal lever, wipers lever and a cruise control lever. Nothing on my IC is digital or has menus of any kind so I assume it's a no obc car. I can easily spin the tires, dump the clutch and do burnouts so I assume I have no tc. My burnouts are also from both rear tires. If I have the car on jack stands, and turn one rear wheel the opposite side will turn with it. If I spin the wheels one direction and go to the opposite side and catch the wheel or try to turn it the opposite way you can't it stops the other side and spins the same direction. I assume that's LSD? What am I missing? Whats the difference between lsd and locking rear diff on the options code master list? Despite all that my sticker under the hood doesn't list much of anything for options. Including LSD or locking rear diff. However there's a ton of option codes on the master list for things my car has that's not listed on the sticker either. Example power mirrors, rear leather seats, rear seat belts and on and on. The only thing I have listed on my sticker for options is 8 way power seats pass and driver. I also have memory seat positions/buttons but don't have that code listed. You started that lsd was always paired with tc but I don't think I have tc I'm pretty certain I don't and I'm pretty certain I have lsd? What I don't have is option codes for anything really. It's a 3.4 cable car, cable trunk releases, came artic silver. Is there numbers I can look for on the car to determine lsd from factory anything differently stamped or tagged anywhere? I'm wondering if option codes were listed on decals if the dealer selected something beyond what the car had as standard. Not sure what was considered standard equipment some option codes state standard somethings like rear seats belts aren't marked standard and I assume they were for any us car but I don't know anything for sure just trying to learn.

Originally Posted by Mike Murphy

Someone could have installed an aftermarket LSD in your car. The 99’s that I have with LSD also has TC and ABD, 2 other option codes that go along with the LSD.

Originally Posted by Garage19builds;[url=tel:18819046

18819046[/url]]The car had 2 owners prior to me and it came with paperwork and receipt starting with the window sticker to the last time it had a car fax ran prior to me buying it. Literally have receipts for light bulbs, all dealer maintenance all on schedule all with recites. So I would have a hard time believing they had an lsd put in the car and didn't keep the receipts i have a binder 3 inches thick, original key code cards radio cards, they kept everything.This car must have been built in 1997 to have door tag build date of Jan 98 it must have been started in late 97. There's alot of different things about this car that doesn't add up when compared to other 996s. There's quite a bit of options listed on the original window/dealer sticker that are not on the sticker under the hood as well.

Originally Posted by Garage19builds

The car had 2 owners prior to me and it came with paperwork and receipt starting with the window sticker to the last time it had a car fax ran prior to me buying it. Literally have receipts for light bulbs, all dealer maintenance all on schedule all with recites. So I would have a hard time believing they had an lsd put in the car and didn't keep the receipts i have a binder 3 inches thick, original key code cards radio cards, they kept everything.This car must have been built in 1997 to have door tag build date of Jan 98 it must have been started in late 97. There's alot of different things about this car that doesn't add up when compared to other 996s. There's quite a bit of options listed on the original window/dealer sticker that are not on the sticker under the hood as well.