Very early 996 Cabriolet
Extensively equipped
Delivered new in Vienna
Original 84,853 kilometres
When Porsche introduced the 996 in 1997, the outcry was considerable. After more than three decades of air-cooled 911 tradition, suddenly almost everything was new: bodywork, interior and, above all, the engine. The flat-six was now water-cooled. As if that were not already enough for the Porsche faithful to digest, the 911 also shared numerous components with the smaller Boxster. And then, of course, there were the headlights. Rarely had fried eggs been discussed at such length.
Technically, however, the 996 represented an enormous step forward. The new 3.4-litre flat-six produced 300 hp, the chassis was more modern, the interior roomier and the whole car more comfortable. Despite all that, the 996 was actually lighter than its predecessor. The sports car that had been carefully evolved over decades had finally become a thoroughly modern high-performance automobile.
The Cabriolet followed in 1998. Unlike on the 993, its electrically operated fabric hood disappeared completely beneath a solid cover. Another novelty was that the roof could be opened and closed at speeds of up to around 50 km/h – quite useful when the traffic lights turned green rather sooner than expected. Automatically deploying rollover protection provided security should the worst happen.
With the open 996, Porsche managed to combine two things very convincingly: a proper 911 and a genuinely usable everyday Cabriolet. The 2001 facelift brought new headlights, revised bumpers and, most importantly, an increase to 3.6 litres and 320 hp. Four-wheel-drive versions followed, along with the Carrera 4S and its wide Turbo body.
For a long time, the 996 lived in the shadow of its air-cooled predecessors. Ironically, age is now coming to its rescue. Today it once again looks slender, compact and pleasantly understated. Even the fried-egg headlights are slowly becoming rather cool.
This all-black 996 Carrera Cabriolet dates from the first year of Cabriolet production. In July 1998, it was registered by its first owner in Vienna-Liesing. A look through the original service booklet reveals the numerous options with which the 911 was delivered – from automatic climate control to a washer system for those fried-egg headlights. It also tells us that, until 2006, its owner returned with reassuring regularity to the local Porsche dealer for servicing. Thereafter, two marque specialists took care of the Cabriolet’s wellbeing.
Just one day after a service at 74,491 kilometres, its current and only second owner registered the 911 Cabriolet in his name. Today, the odometer shows just 10,000 kilometres more. What once caused considerable consternation is slowly coming back into fashion three decades later.
The Porsche family is developing quite a taste for fried eggs again.