Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet (996)

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Supplied new in July 1999, this early 996 series 911 Cabriolet features the water-cooled 3.4-litre flat-six motor kicking out some 296bhp, driven in this instance through all four wheels as a Carrera 4 model.

Finished in silver with full light grey leather interior, Turbo alloy wheels and expensive optional factory fit, removable hard-top, the car presents well. Supplied new by AFN Porsche Centre, Park Lane, it was ordered with the six-speed manual transmission – at the time, the car heralded a new future for Porsche with the adoption of water-cooling for their rear-engined 911s after a lifetime of air-cooled motors.

The car’s history file includes its V5C, service book showing 11 service stamps to back up its modest 121,625 miles the majority by OPC dealer AFN, Riverdale Porsche or Porsche specialists such as Strasse and Ramus. The service record includes mention of a new clutch at 89k in October 2009 and a further five stamps for brake fluid changes and long-life guarantee condition reports earlier in its life. A further stamp shows the car was subject to a recall, known as a service campaign No. AY03 in May 2000 by AFN Porsche.

The current MOT is valid until August 2019 with just one minor advisory and a further seven old MOTs and invoices, including the last service plus refurbishment of the lovely Turbo alloy wheels in July 2017. Further invoices on file show works such as a replacement timing chain and solenoid in 2008 at 71,000 miles.

A good 996 cabriolet on a sunny day is a joy and should be something we can all aspire to. At the attractive guide price it certainly looks sorely tempting…