Final air-cooled Porsche 911 Turbo could sell for £800,000 at auction

The very last air-cooled Porsche 911 to leave the factory in Zuffenhausen will come up for auction soon.

Designed to an exacting specification for German author Clauss Vanderborg, the 993-generation Turbo was ordered in 1997. 

The bespoke requirements were fulfilled by Porsche’s Sonderwunsch (Special Wishes) department – and led to this being the final air-cooled 911 out of the door. 

Affectionately known as ‘The Last Waltz’, the Turbo is likely to attract plenty of attention when it crosses the block as part of the Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale.

Late out of the factory gates

The 993-generation of 911, made between 1994 and 1998, is often regarded as the ultimate air-cooled Porsche. Values have climbed ever higher in recent years, but Vanderborg’s Turbo is on another level.

Ordered in Ocean Blue, the car left the assembly line on 27 March 1998 – the same day 911 designer Ferry Porsche died – and four days before 993 production was due to end. 

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, a noted Porsche aficionado, claimed the last 911 to be built. His Mexico Blue Carrera 4S was built on 31 March 1998. However, it was not the last out of the factory gates.

A near six-month stay in the Sonderwunsch department, detailing the Turbo to Vanderborg’s precise specification, meant this car wasn’t delivered until 25 September 1998.

‘The Last Waltz‘

Vanderborg had already specified the twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre flat-six engine in upgraded form, with a power boost to 450hp. A strut brace, quad-exit exhaust pipes, an extra oil cooler and a 92-litre fuel tank were fitted, too.

The writer requested that the 18-inch hollow-spoke alloy wheels and Brembo brake callipers received the same Ocean Blue finish as the body panels. Sonderwunsch also deleted the rear windscreen wiper.

Night Blue leather was used extensively throughout the cabin, covering the seats, door pulls, dashboard and instrument binnacle. The gauges themselves were finished in blue for good measure. 

A metal plaque, paying tribute to Ferry Porsche, was fitted to the dashboard, while special sill covers and a sticker in the rear windscreen are inscribed with ‘The Last Waltz’.

Only 6,800 miles from new

Despite its significance, Vanderborg took ownership of the completed 911 Turbo without much fanfare. Porsche Centre Altotting did fit its own plaque inside the door, though.

After a year of ownership, Vanderborg sold ‘The Last Waltz’ to a Japanese collector. It remained in Japan until 2015, when it was purchased by a Belgian dealership.

Following two years of being displayed across Europe, the 911 found its way to a UK enthusiast, then to a Belgian collector.

Today, some 26 years after being completed, only 11,000 kilometres (6,800 miles) have been recorded on the car’s odometer. 

A unique place in history

Being a late 993-generation version of the 911 Turbo makes this car highly collectable from the start.

Yet laying claim to being the final customer air-cooled 911 to leave the factory elevates its desirability into the stratosphere for enthusiasts. A Porsche certificate of authenticity is included, aiding its provenance. 

As a result, this most special of 911s comes with a pre-auction guide price of between £700,000 and £800,000. 

The Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale takes place on Saturday 7 September 2024 – so there isn’t a long wait to discover how ‘The Last Waltz’ dances on.

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