For those wanting greater performance from the Carrera-badged, 993-generation Porsche 911, the Stuttgart marque offered a ready-made solution. The ‘X51’ package signified a leap to around 300 brake horsepower from the 911’s air-cooled flat-six, achieved by increasing engine displacement to 3.8 litres and introducing selected componentry shared with the contemporary race-bred Carrera RS 3.8. The ‘X51’-specified cars were made in smaller numbers than the RS-badged alternative, while also offering greater comfort and usability on a day-to-day basis. Made available as a factory-approved option for the first time with the 993-generation model, the ‘X51’ package has evolved into a mainstay of Porsche configurator lists in subsequent generations of 911.

The example offered here was completed by the Stuttgart factory on 22 April 1996, finished in Black over a Black leather interior and equipped from new with the all-important ‘X51’ option. Benefitting from a generously specified upgrades list, the Porsche was built with air conditioning, a lowered chassis (10 millimetres front; 20 millimetres rear), lowered suspension, electric sports seats, windscreen top-tint, and sunroof. The 911 was built with the desirable G50/21 gearbox, favoured by Porsche enthusiasts thanks to its longer gear ratios. The car was produced in right-hand drive and to “C-16” requirements for despatch to the United Kingdom, where it was imported via AFN and registered for the road on 2 May 1996. In its accompanying books and manuals, the first owner is noted as Prince von Preussen. The Porsche wears enhanced bodywork with a 993 RS Aero Kit, features a sports exhaust, and is fitted with desirable 18-inch “Turbo Twist” alloy wheels. The car is offered for sale with Porsche books and manuals.

Retained since 2020 by its consigning owner, who has overseen restoration work (with invoices available to view in the history file), the Porsche shows 66,164 miles on its odometer at the time of cataloguing. On 1 November 2023, the Porsche passed an MoT test with no advisories. This 911 is a tremendous and accessible offering for the Porsche enthusiast looking to experience the final air-cooled generation of the iconic model in one of the best ways possible.