Highlights
- A rare, facelifted Gen 1.5 997 Turbo, one of only around 200 produced
- Featuring the last of the purists’ favourite “Mezger,” 3.6L twin turbo engine
- Complete with a full Porsche dealer service history with the last at 67,674 miles
The Appeal
Porsche re-wrote the sports car history and rule books by introducing the first 911 Turbo, or 930, in 1975 to sit at the summit of the 911 range. Since then, in true Porsche style, the 911 Turbo concept was incrementally developed through the 964 and 993 before the arrival of the 997 Turbo in 2006.
Considered a 911 Turbo sweet spot by purists, the 997 was more powerful, 40kgs lighter and hence faster than its already astounding 993 predecessor. A 193-mph top speed and 124 mph coming up in a shade over 12 seconds remains hugely impressive even today so imagine the stir it caused back at launch in 2006.
The History and Paperwork
- This Turbo was supplied new in April 2009 via Porsche Centre Sutton Coldfield
- The car was lightly used, and Porsche maintained by three owners before arriving with the current owner
- The current owner was keen to return to 911 ownership having owned several previously
- He exchanged the car for his Macan and an additional cash consideration
- He is now only selling as he is keen to acquire a later 911 Turbo
- The car includes an excellent and detailed paperwork archive
- The original Porsche book pack is present including the service book
- The service book contains five Porsche Dealer service stamps
- Several other main dealer stamps are present covering brake and airbag services
- Numerous high value invoices are included to corroborate the service details and costs
- The current V5 is present together with a number of previous hard copy MOT’s
- The current advisory free MOT is valid until April 2024
- Two original Porsche keys are included
The Interior
- The Turbo’s interior is finished in black leather with contrasting red stitching
- The interior is pristine throughout and features many sporting cues
- The perforated black leather sports seats are electrically adjustable and heated
- The matching door cars are partially carpeted and contain lidded storage
- The driver’s door card features the driver’s seat memory controls
- The centre armrest is attractively embossed with the “Turbo” script
- The black carpets are in as-new condition and are protected with Porsche carpet mats
- The rear seats are equally pristine and fold forwards to provide additional storage
- The chunky leather steering wheel with alloy accents also houses Tiptronic controls
- The dashboard is finished in black leather and outlined in red double stitching
- The black on white dials feature the signature, large centrally mounted tachometer
- A dash-top stopwatch is included and doubles as the car’s digital clock
- The Porsche Communication Management system includes satellite navigation
- An electric metal sunroof is fitted
- The headlining is finished in dark Alcantara
- The front luggage compartment is deep and surprisingly commodious
- This is a fully carpeted compartment and contains tools and warning triangle
A Porsche 911 interior is always a delight to behold. It’s purposeful, well appointed yet surprisingly luxurious. The high-backed sports seats and familiar black on white dials are an instant reminder that you are in one of the car world’s most iconic sports cars. In case you remain in any doubt there is the delightful “Turbo” embossed arm rest, the “Porsche” script on the handbrake and further “Turbo” logos embossed into the burnished aluminium sill protectors.
It's a well-equipped cabin too with every driver need catered for. This includes electrically operated and heated seats, cruise control, climate control and a premium Bose sound system.
The Exterior
- This 911 Turbo looks appropriately purposeful and stealthy in its black paint
- The finish is top notch, and the paint exudes a deep and lustrous shine
- The build quality is amazing with tight and symmetrical panel gaps
- The Turbo is differentiated by the deeply vented rear wheel arches
- Similar vents are situated in the flanks of the rear bumper panel
- The car sits on 19-inch, five spoke Otto Fuchs made alloy wheels
- The wheels are diamond cut with black, gloss accents and are in fine condition
- The wheels are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres
- The tyres appear to exhibit excellent levels of remaining tread depth
- Porsche monogrammed red callipers are visible between the spokes of the alloys
- A full width rear spoiler staddles the engine cover
- Quad chromed tail pipes exit under the rear bumper panel
The 997 Turbo looks amazing. The black colourway suits the car very well indeed and exudes just the right amount of menace whilst remaining reassuringly low profile. There is just enough brightwork in evidence to give the car a bit of “sparkle.” The Fuchs alloys and chromed tail pipes balance the black colourway perfectly.
The condition is excellent throughout. During our visit no areas of significant imperfection were noted or reported. Even the underside of the car appears to be in good, clean condition, a sure sign of considerate and diligent ownership.
The exterior presentation helps to explain this. It looks great in black, and the iconic profile and more sporty alloy wheels just exude fun and enjoyment. “Just be ready to have you photo taken if you stop at the lights,” cautions the current owner.
The Mechanics
- This 997 Turbo is propelled by a 3.6L, flat-six “boxer” engine
- The engine is fitted with twin BorgWarner VTG turbochargers
- This unit is a respected, so called “Mezger” unit named after Hans Mezger, famed Porsche engine guru
- These units include a number of sophisticated features making them highly respected and sought after
- A dry sump to ensure oil pressure continuity during high G-force situations was key
- The car’s air conditioning unit was even utilised to cool the turbos for optimal performance
- This helped provide a power output of 480bhp and 460Ib-ft of torque
- Power in this car is fed to the rear wheels via the five-speed Tiptronic S transmission
- A £2,000 Milltek stainless steel sports exhaust is fitted together with a BMC air filter
- The impeccable maintenance history of the car and low mileage informs its mechanical condition
- The current owner confirms that this car is in excellent mechanical order throughout
With each iteration of range-topping 911 Turbo it is difficult to imagine how the dynamic performance and peerless driving experience of the predecessor can be bettered. Despite that, Porsche seems to do the impossible every time and that is particularly true of the 997 Turbo.
The fitment of twin-turbochargers to the 997’s engine was a production first for a Porsche. It not only helped combat the turbo lag exhibited by earlier cars, but it provided an impressive 20% power increase over its predecessor. So impressive was this feat in 2006 that the 997 Turbo still remains a performance powerhouse over 25 years after its launch.
Summary
If you have even a thimble-full of petrol in your veins is very hard to find much to not like about the 997 iteration of the 911 Turbo. Who can argue with 480bhp, four-wheel drive and 0-60mph times starting with a three?
This example is a gem too. Low original mileage, full dealer history and a stack of high value invoices as chunky as a phone directory. It looks right, it sounds right and with its rare Gen 1.5 and Mezger provenance it is surely an opportunity too good to miss.
BEFORE YOU BUY
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
