Among the last Porsche 911s to feature an air-cooled engine and the first turbocharged model with all-wheel drive, the type 993 Turbo is the ultimate evolution of the company’s classic formula. Though its 3.6-liter flat six followed the company’s well-established tradition of being air-cooled rather than more conventionally water-cooled, the revamped 911 Turbo shook up the status quo in other ways when it debuted for the 1995 model year. Its streamlined bodywork was the first notable departure in design from the model’s familiar upright-headlight look that debuted in 1964. Perhaps more importantly, the type 993 Turbo eschewed its predecessor’s volatile driving dynamics, thanks to standard all-wheel drive and a new multilink suspension, which gave it more stable and predictable handling.

“This isn't a peaky, finicky powerplant, but instead an incredibly powerful, fast-revving, torque-making brute that can also survive urban gridlock without bucking, stalling, overheating, or exhibiting any other symptoms of duress,” wrote C. Van Tune in his first drive of a type 993 Turbo for Motor Trend. “It's not only the most impressive six-cylinder production powerplants in the world, but ranks as one of the greatest engines of all time.”

This 911 Turbo is one of 777 produced for North America for the 1997 model year. Its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity indicates that the car completed production on 10 March 1997, finished in black over black leather. Factory options listed on its window sticker, a copy of which is on file, include upgraded “supple leather” front and rear, heated front seats, Porsche crests on the headrests, a remote six-disc CD changer, metal door-sill protectors with insignia, aluminum instrument dials, and Porsche floormats in black. The window sticker also indicates that the 911 Turbo was originally shipped to Fred Baker Imported Cars in Bedford, Ohio. Though the car’s maintenance book does not list the original owner, it does bear a stamping from a service appointment at Fred Baker Imported Cars in November of 2001.

The 911 Turbo appears have remained in the United States until 2005, after which it was acquired by an owner in Toronto, Ontario, as indicated by further stampings in the maintenance book and a copy of a Virginia title document issued in March of 2005, which listed actual mileage at 26,240 miles. Upon entering the Dare to Dream Collection around 2012, the car benefitted from cosmetic work, including having its black aftermarket wheels refinished and later having the right headlight assembly repaired and the front bumper and right fender resprayed. An aftermarket Kenwood Pandora internet radio head unit has also been installed. It is accompanied by its manuals and maintenance book and service invoices.

As with all cars within the collection, this attractive 911 Turbo has been wonderfully maintained and sparingly driven and is now presented in its factory colors and with numerous invoices dating back to 2005, making it an appealing proposition for the Porsche enthusiast bent on owning one of the last and greatest air-cooled 911s ever made.