The 993-generation Porsche 911 was the swansong for the air-cooled “Mezger” engine that had become synonymous with every 911 since the unveiling of the 901 at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Although the engine underwent enormous improvements over the 30 years that separated the 901 and the 993, the basic architecture remained the same: a six-cylinder, air-cooled boxer layout with twin overhead cams.

It is this tangible link to the very genesis of Porsche as a sportscar manufacturer—as well as the engine’s unique character—that has made the 993-generation 911 one of the most desirable models in the firm’s history.

Among the most sought-after variants is the now legendary 911 GT2—the ultimate air-cooled 911.

Like so many exceptional road cars of the 20th century, the GT2 was the by-product of a racing programme that required road car variants to be produced in order to meet homologation criteria.

Designed to win Zuffenhausen entry to the FIA GT2 class, Porsche took the 933 911 Turbo...