The type-993 Porsche 911 Turbo S became the dramatic and fitting final chapter for the so-called air-cooled Porsche—meaning those made with the long-running air-cooled flat-six engine—when it launched for the 1997 model year. The last air-cooled 911 Turbo built by Porsche, it is truly a limited-production car, with only 183 examples manufactured for North America. Each one was carefully and uniquely prepared by Porsche’s Exclusive department with bespoke features and numerous engine and chassis upgrades.

Powered by a 3.6-liter flat-six engine featuring an alloy crankcase and cylinder heads, the Turbo S received larger twin KKK K24 turbochargers for better throttle response and a new Bosch Motronic engine-management system modified to handle the additional power. These and other tweaks increased output to 424 horsepower at 6,250 rpm for the US market. A secondary oil cooler was also added to better dissipate heat.

Many of the 993 Turbo S’s technical advancements were adapted from the legendary 959, including electronically controlled all-wheel drive—a first for the Porsche 911 Turbo model.

Yellow, multi-piston brake calipers and air ducts on the front valance and rear fenders—designed for cooling the larger ventilated disc brakes—helped identify the Turbo S, along with a new “Aerokit Turbo II” front end and an enlarged twin-blade fixed rear wing with integrated vents feeding air to the intercooler. Bulging fenders accommodated larger 18-inch alloy wheels, while the engine sang through four exhaust pipes. An upgraded six-speed manual transaxle helped the Turbo S achieve 0–60 in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 184 mph.

This Turbo S was originally purchased by famed California car collector Otis Chandler. Well known in the collector scene at the time, Chandler was the publisher of the Los Angeles Times from 1960 to 1980 and allocated much of his free time (and finances) toward his automotive passion. Chandler’s taste in cars was diverse, ranging from competition Porsches to pre-war American classics. He had owned both a Porsche 917 and 935 with distinctive blue Sunoco liveries, and when it came time for him to order a new Turbo S in 1997, carrying on the theme was the natural choice.

Ordered in an uncommon “Paint to Sample” color of non-metallic Cobalt, Chandler’s Turbo S was sure to stand out from the rest. The interior features Midnight Blue leather with special-order Porsche Exclusive Speed Yellow seatbelts and contrast stitching throughout, embossed Porsche crest on the headrests, and velour lining for the front luggage compartment. Other factory options include “racing style” sport seats with full leather covering on the front and backs color-matched to the exterior, the Digital Sound Package, remote six-disc CD changer, self-dimming mirrors and rain sensor, carbon-fiber and leather steering wheel, door-pulls with “Turbo S” script in silver, and leather sun visors with mirrors. An astounding 24 different options are listed on the option code sticker. To match his 917 and 935, yellow and red stripes were added after delivery and remain to this day.

In 2006, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah purchased the Chandler Turbo S for his quickly growing collection. An avid car enthusiast, His Highness was the Prime Minister of Kuwait from 2006 to 2011 and had an immense collection of several thousand cars. His Highness sold the Turbo S in 2021 when it was purchased by collector Todd Blue for his Porsche collection. Mr. Blue had the Turbo S mechanically recommissioned and it has been enjoyed in his stable of blue Porsches since then.

Today this Turbo S still shows less than 1,850 miles on the odometer at cataloguing time and remains well preserved, a rare and truly exceptional find for the Porsche enthusiast wishing to experience the pinnacle of the marque’s air-cooled era.