Very rare, very pricey but very,very nice....
Option M383/387
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| Klaus, the one with the moustache... |
Ticking this option would give Klaus in the Porsche factory the signal to install the "sportseats" instead of the standard "comfort" seats. A 1600,- Deutschmark option.
Two versions of the sportseats were used during the 1993-1998 years. The first version, known as "softbacks" was used by Porsche from the introduction in 1993 until the start of 1995. The second "harback" version was introduced on the 993 Turbo. Both versions were available with 4 or 6 way electric adjustment and optiona seat heating. They could be ordered as part of the "full leather" interior, Raff leather was not available on sportseats.
Two versions of the sportseats were used during the 1993-1998 years. The first version, known as "softbacks" was used by Porsche from the introduction in 1993 until the start of 1995. The second "harback" version was introduced on the 993 Turbo. Both versions were available with 4 or 6 way electric adjustment and optiona seat heating. They could be ordered as part of the "full leather" interior, Raff leather was not available on sportseats.
Best ever Porsche seats
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| Photo from the 1993 Porsche brochure |
Until halfway 1995 Porsche used the 964 Turboseats and gave them the more modern 993 stitching pattern. Not a bad move since these seats were a perfect mix of comfort and superior body hugging grip. In fact the basis of this seat goes back to the first impact bumper models and many consider these sportseats to be the best seat ever made by Porsche. As I have a set of these in my own 993 I can confirm that these seats are very supportive even on very long roadtrips. The best ever? For average size people they are indeed very good but if you are taller than average I would definately try before you buy because the thick sidebolsters make them quite narrow in the lower back area.
Hardbacks, the stuff of legends...
When Porsche introduced the new Porsche 993 Turbo they quickly realized that to keep up with competitors they needed to work on the outdated looking sportseats. They came up with a new shell type sportseat with adjustable back. The seat part and electric motors were (again) carried over from the 964 model but the backside now featured wide shoulders and a hardshell plastic backside in anthracite with small Porsche logo. As an Exclusive option this shell could be painted in the exterior color of the car or any other color the customer wanted. Although these sportseats are sometimes reffered to as "turboseats" even on the turbo they were an option and most turbo owners preffered the more luxurious raff leather interior.
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| Page from the 1995 Porsche sales brochure |
Investment
Not many new 933 owners ticked the Sportseat option. If not for the money thanpossibly because they were more concerned about the comfort level (although inmy own experience especially on longer trips the sportseats give better support).As a high end luxury sports GT even the turbo was most of the times ordered with full Raff leather instead of sportseats. Given these facts it is not surprising that sportseats are quite rare in a 993, let alone a set of used ones. This has lead to prices that are very very strong. Softbacks, although more rare, go for $ 1500 and up, the hardbacks usually sell for well over $ 3500 with mint sets changing hands for $ 6000 and up....
Buying sportseats
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| Expensive stuff.... |
If you are in the market there are just a couple of things you need to check. First of all make sure that you are actually buying 993 seats. As said previously the 993 softback sportseats are in fact 964 seats with different leather trim. I have come accross genuine 993 sportseats with 964 partnumbers ( as with many more 993 parts). Thus the only way to tell them apart is the leather stiching pattern.
The hardbacks have 993 partnumbers stamped in the frame. Watch out for 996 sportseats, these have the same backside but a different seat and are a lot cheaper than 993 models. Do check the electric adjustment and seatheating. If the heating is not working it is very hard and expensive to fix. Problems with the adjustment are rare and many times it's just the switch, motors are readily available secondhand.
My opinion
For comfort and grip: Softbacks....
For looks and style: Hardbacks....
Can't decide, try this....
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| Set of midnight blue softbacks |