CHECKLIST

BACKGROUND

In 1988 Heinz Branitzki, CEO of Porsche at perhaps the lowest point in its history, famously hailed the new 964 as the ‘Porsche for the next 25 years.’ He was wide of the mark: it would take two more generations until Zuffenhausen had a 911 for the twenty-first century and that water cooled model shared not a nut or bolt with its predecessors. What it did share, controversially, was a platform, cabin and front bodywork with the Boxster. Economies of scale and modern design brought renewed profitability and in seven years 996 sales would far exceed 964 and 993 combined.

WHERE IS IT?

Martyn’s Car Sales is just outside Chertsey on the A320woking road. Martyn Neville has been selling cars for thirty years and stocks about 100 vehicles, many sub £12,000. “I tend to buy the kinds of car I would run myself, rather than just diesel Focuses.” His stock is pretty eclectic with older BMWS, Mercedes and SUVS and includes several Porsches from a restoration-project 944 to a 996 Turbo. “I’ve always run Porsches and I picked this manual 996 Cabrio because it was so nice to drive and felt so composed.”

martyncarsales.co.uk 01932 283856/07768 017781 FOR Rare manual Cabrio which has also retained its hardtop; low miles, strong engine, mechanicals AGAINST Service history; minor repairs to hood required VERDICT Impressive manual 911 which remains a pleasure to drive