(1995) Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet – Ultimate Guide
The Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet (993 generation) is an incredibly rare car – only 14 were built in 1995, in the early days of 993 production. Rather than the contemporary twin-turbo powerplant in the 993 Turbo Coupe, the 993 Turbo Cab was fitted with the single turbo of the 964 Turbo 3.6. Although the Turbo Coupé was introduced earlier, the actual production started after the Turbo Cabriolets were sold. Turbo Cabriolets were 1995 models by VIN and Turbo Coupés were immediately produced as 1996 models although the 1996 model year had not yet started.
While the Turbo Cabriolet has been a mainstay of the 911 model range since the 996, to the average Porsche customer and enthusiast, the 993 Turbo Cabriolet technically never existed. The unofficial story says that Fritz Haberl, who was owner of MAHAG Porsche in Munich approached Porsche executives after seeing the new 993-generation Cabriolet at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show with the idea of a Turbo Cabriolet built as a limited-edition model. Given MAHAG’s heritage and Porsche’s financial difficulties, Porsche agreed to Haberl’s suggestion, albeit at a price. Porsche’s requirement was a minimum order of ten cars, to which Haberl agreed.
While the 993 Turbo Coupé was introduced in Geneva in March 1995, this back-door project was going on in Porsche’s Exclusive department at the same time. Starting from May, they made fourteen 993 Turbo Cabriolets. The body was a narrow Carrera Cabriolet body mated with the mechanicals from the 964 Turbo 3.6 (engine, brakes, wheels), so it was a single-turbo 993 and also the only RWD 993 Turbo. Despite structural differences between the 964 and 993-generation 911s, the M64/50 3.6-litre flat six-cylinder engine with a single turbocharger was able to fit into the back of the 993 body-shell. Porsche exclusive widened its rear arches to Turbo specification and the X93 option rear spoiler from the 964 Turbo S.
Although the Turbo Coupé was introduced earlier, the actual production started after the Turbo Cabriolets were sold. Turbo Cabriolets were 1995 models by VIN and Turbo Coupés were immediately produced as 1996 models although the 1996 model year had not yet started. Porsche gave them their own production designation and a unique VIN series.
