This Porsche 911 Turbo S, one of just 183 examples produced for North America in 1997, was conceived long before its April 1997 production date.

As documented in fascinating detail, John Howe of Rancho Sante Fe, California custom-ordered this Porsche in late November 1996.

Copies of the original order form, faxed to Howe on 25 November 1996 from Porsche dealer Pioneer Centres of San Diego, California, denote both the seemingly endless list of options available to Porsche customers at the time and the tasteful array of options he ultimately chose for his car.

Handwritten notes show the customer’s desire for racing-style sport seats up front while deleting both the rear seats and rear windshield wiper.

Luxurious add-ons include a digital sound package with multi-channel loudspeaker and amplifier, six-disc remote CD changer, and the coveted all-leather package, which lavished the material throughout the cabin—including the power window switches, safety belt covers and rosettes, sun vi...