Porsche is known as the car person’s car. It’s also a favorite among celebrities.
So what is the collectible Porsche when it comes to Hollywood VIPs?
Lately, that would be the Porsche 993.
The Porsche 993 is “practically shorthand for Real Taste in Old Cars,” according to Esquire magazine.
Among the many famous people photographed driving or just standing near a Porsche 993: Kendall Jenner, Keanu Reeves, David Beckham, Heather Locklear, Harry Styles, Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen Degeneres, and Antonio Banderas.
Keep in mind that all things ‘90s are still very hip among the younger set. And the 993 is oh so ‘90s. (Hence Kendall and Harry)
The 993 is actually a short way of describing the 911 model produced from 1994 to 1998. (Although the model year technically started in 1995).
Aside from being one of the ultimate ’90s mobiles, the Porsche 993s are sought after for a number of other reasons. They have an air-cooled engine, which according to Esquire makes them a little like the automotive equivalent of vinyl records collected by audiophiles, who prefer the vintage discs to digital music. Newer Porsches, by comparison, have water-cooled engines, which are more powerful and easy to maintain but don’t have the same mechanical rawness of an air-cooled engine, according to the magazine.
“To many, 993s are also the prettiest Porsches, straddling the older era and the newer era. Depending on the model and the mileage, they can be had for around $60,000,” according to Esquire.
Jerry Seinfeld, for one, has collected an enormous number of Porsches over the years – a total of 47! So it’s not surprising there’s a 993 or two in his private collection. He’s known to put up 15 cars for auction all at once when he runs out of space. And trust us, there’s not one that sells in the $60,000 range.
Actor and Porsche enthusiast Keanu Reeves has owned Porsches since his first black 911 Carrera 4S (yes, a 993) with a manual transmission. This car was, sadly, stolen while he was away at a movie location. He then reached out to Porsche’s customer consultation center and customized what would be his next Porsche – the 911 Carrera 4S (991).
Reeves has said in interviews that his love of Porsche began at a young age when he was given Porsche Matchbox car and saw his grandmother’s boyfriend driving a 911 Targa.
These days, according to Esquire, the 993 seems to imbue the younger set with a way of blending into their Los Angeles surroundings while at the same time saying “I’m interesting.”
“The 993 says all it needs to say, ‘I want you to know me as a person who knows cars,’ and nothing more.’”
The 993 may be the ultra-cool “it car” of the celebrity set, but it really is a beautifully built automobile. In fact, many car lovers consider it one of the most finely crafted cars of all time.
If a vintage Porsche 993 is outside of your budget though, you can get a similarly great car in most any 911 built between 1978 and 1993.
Ultimately, it’s the way the 993 drives and handles that makes it such a popular car even decades later. Its suspension was completely overhauled from the previous-generation version, curbing the 911’s tendency for snap-oversteer, according to Motorbiscuit. Moreover, the AWD system was also upgraded, improving handling even more. Autotrader describes the clutch of the 993 as “light” and reports that the shifter-speed shifter is precise. Steering is incredible and there’s that old-school sound of that air-cooled engine.
And perhaps the most glowing honor comes from Porsche itself. In 2018, to celebrate its 70th anniversary, the German automaker created “Project Gold,” which is a Porsche 993 911 Turbo S restored from an original 993 shell.
There were only 345 built and Car and Driver reported that a 9000-mile example went for $395,000. Despite the fact that Project Gold was not street-legal, one sold for $3.1 million at auction.
So, in other words, there’s some depth behind the 993’s current popularity.
It may be hip. But it’s also a classic.
Don’t forget to check out our latest Porsche inventory.
