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Vesuvio Metallic was created to accompany Stahlgrau (Steel Grey) on the 1997-98 Vesuvius Edition 993. Stahlgrau wheels are perfect with Vesuvio! As are the additional Stahlgrau accents on mirrors, door handles, and rear wing grille.
Serendipitously Vesuvio Metallic paint was also offered as special order on the early MY1999 996’s that were sequenced among the final 993’s on the same assembly line in late 1997 / early 1998. I have a very early 1998 996 sales brochure that actually includes a Vesuvio swatch; although it doesn’t appear in subsequent printings.
Vesuvio is a very, very deep iridescent purple; the paint application and/or curing processes was surely both labor and cost intensive, probably exceeding the value for Porsche of painting 996’s alone in this color, without the benefit of the added special 993 ”Vesuvius Edition” premium. Likely that once the final 993 Vesuvius Editions were completed, Vesuvio Metallic was quickly retired.
Only 100 Vesuvius Edition 993’s were delivered worldwide. And I’ve heard anecdotally only 60 early 996’s were graced with Vesuvio Metallic during the brief period it was available on both generations. I do know Vesuvio Metallic 911’s of either generation are incredibly rare. For instance, Germancarsforsale blog describes Vesuvio Metallic as the “rarest Porsche 911 color ever offered that was not paint to sample”.
Another interesting fact about Vesuvio is it was exclusive to the 911; and never allowed on any other model, not even in PTS. There are only a handful of Porsche colors ever with that singular reservation.
As shown in my avatar, given its astronomical rarity, “Total 911” magazine chose a Vesuvio Metallic 1999 to represent the mythic 3.4 liter 996 generation on the cover of their inaugural edition.
And given that Vesuvio Metallic 993’s are already trading over six figures, future market values for any Vesuvio Metallic 911 are promising, to say the least! 🤑
thnk you,for posting this information. I have a 99 Cab in Vesuvio and it’s a fantastic color. Mine has lots of natural patina. Stone chips and unfortunately a few hits to both bumpers. It will need paint. I wonder how hard it will be to have the paint matched perfectly? Mine is one of maybe 10 in Australia, possibly less. Aus Porsche couldn’t tell me as they don’t have access to the database anymore.
here’s a few more shots showing the color. Not great pics. But anyhoo...
Based on frequency worldwide I theorize less than 10 Vesuvio examples in Aus.
And a good body shop will be able to match Vesuvio; it’s unique but not impossible. It took doing (and twice as long), but Eric at Bumlerplugs dot com was able to create perfect plugs and rear bumperettes for mine. And I mean a perfect match! No added charge (Eric is the best!).
Originally Posted by amanda
I wonder how hard it will be to have the paint matched perfectly? Mine is one of maybe 10 in Australia, possibly less.
Not a special color, but a classic nonetheless. This particular paint job looks good from far, but far from good up close, it has been resprayed, very average quality work—in fact, I hope to change the color to one of two others I have in mind, either Porsche Forest Metallic Green, or a beautiful pale sky blue metallic that I have in my mind’s eye, based on a color from a Gas Monkey Garage build.
Couple more Vesuvio, like a deep “grape” purple. One of the scant few (if not the only) colors reserved exclusively for the 911. Available 993/996 1997-2001, and Paint To Sample on GT 911 variants thereafter; interesting there was a PTS Vesuvio 991 GT2RS on the showroom floor next to this 1999 at Isringhausen Porsche where I found it..
02-18-2021, 03:26 AM
996 detailed
