Swedish title

Chassis no. WP0ZZZ99ZVS314982

• Superb original condition, 58,419km

• Famous and rare Vesuvio Grey paintwork!

• X51 option fitted from new, 300bhp engine

• Numerous options, some from Porsche Exclusive

• No reserve

 

Supplied new in Sweden on 19 June 1997, this Porsche 993 Carrera S is noteworthy for its ‘Vesuvio Grey’ colour, whereby hangs a tale. To begin with, the models finished in this colour (that of the 993 S displayed at the 1996 Paris Motor Show) also had ‘Steel Grey’ door mirrors, door handles, engine grilles, instrument bezels and wheels (if 17-inch rims were fitted). An interesting story later gave rise to the belief that this colour was that of a limited series with a special engine. In fact, concerned about its stock of 30 unsold Carrera S models, the French importer Sonauto decided to send them back to the factory to be fitted with the X51 kit, with the 300bhp engine, in order to help sell them. Among them were a few cars in ‘Vesuvio Grey’, which led to the confusion surrounding what was actually a marketing operation, as Marc Joly explained very clearly in the November 2011 issue of the magazine Flat 6.

 

The car presented here, although not sold through Sonauto, was also fitted from new with the X51 kit and 300bhp 3.8-litre engine, as well as other options including an aluminium gear knob, heated seats, special 18-inch wheels, cruise control, air-conditioning and a trip computer. With only 58,419km recorded since new, the exterior presents well and its well-preserved bodywork shows only a few chips on the front valance, which suggests that the paint is original. The panel gaps are very satisfactory. The front boot and engine compartment are just as good, and the manufacturer’s sticker is present on the underside of the front bonnet. The windows are still engraved with the car’s original Swedish registration number.

The superb interior is that of a car which has been well looked after by its careful owners, with grey leather seats; only the driver’s seat shows slight signs of wear. The rear seats appear never to have been used and the touches of aluminium trim, together with the silver instrument dials, make the whole interior very classy.

 

The car has remained in Sweden since new and has had only three owners: from 1997-2001, from 2001-2021 and since 2021. It has been regularly maintained, as the numerous stamps in its service book show; the last service was in 2021, at 58,409km. The car will be supplied with its tyre compressor, tool kit, both sets of keys and a wallet containing its books and manuals, including that for the Blaupunkt Sevilla radio.

As well as being a desirable S version (referred to by collectors as the 2S), this 993 has an enviable specification: it is one of the sought-after examples in ‘Vesuvio Grey’ and has many options appreciated by enthusiasts. In addition, as the code 09991 indicates, it is fitted with some options from the Porsche Exclusive programme. Its low mileage and careful maintenance round off this exceptional picture: this combination of qualities will not fail to appeal to specialists, who will recognise the car as a true rarity.