Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3,8

Unfortunately, the 964 was introduced into the headwinds of a global recession that was taking a toll on the luxury car market and the sport of motor racing at that time. Porsche’s 911, 968, and the aging 928 were all significantly underperforming sales estimates and as racing series folded, manufacturers abandoned their racing efforts as cost-saving measures. Though Porsche found itself in dire straits, Roland Kussmaul, Porsche’s technical project leader, was convinced that Porsche’s customer base remained interested in high-performance offerings and cited its success with the 944 Cup series as proof of concept. In 1992, Porsche introduced its first lightweight, high-performance 964 variant, the Carrera RS 3.6. Built on narrow-body architecture and devoid of unnecessary creature comforts, the light and fast RS 3.6 proved itself a successful competitor by privateers on tracks such as Le Mans, Spa, and Nürburgring. In its single year of production, the RS 3.6 sold an astonishing 2,282 units. Citing the sales and competition success of the RS 3.6, Porsche’s Head of Customer Sport Department, Jürgen Barth, proposed building an all-out 964-based race car to challenge the highest levels of GT racing. As a basis for the racing version, Porsche developed the road-going 964 Carrera RS 3.8.

The 1993 Carrera RS 3.8 was hand built by Porsche’s racing department at Weissach-Flacht. Beginning with a wide body 964 shell, the tub was seam welded for added strength. The hood and doors were constructed of aluminum rather than weightier steel, and the door and quarter glass was thinner and lighter than production 964s. Carpeting and sound deadening were jettisoned in favor of lightweight carpet and the rear seats were deleted. Weight was ruthlessly reduced wherever possible. There were no electric windows, power locks, radios, undercoating or air-conditioning. Even door cards were constructed of lightweight material. Doors were opened from the inside by means of a simple nylon strap. All told, the finished car weighed in at just 2,667 lbs., a full 600 lbs. lighter than a standard 964.

For this effort, Porsche engineers developed a 3.8-liter M64/04 racing engine featuring increased bore, lightweight pistons and connecting rods, modified heads, revised intake and exhaust, and improved Bosch Motronic fuel injection. The engine produced 300 hp at 6,500 rpm. Porsche Motorsport suspension, a strengthened G50/10 gearbox with revised gear ratios, limited-slip differential, and substantial cross-drilled, ventilated brakes ensured that Porsche’s new track weapon shifted, turned, and stopped as well as it accelerated. On the racetrack, the RSR 3.8 established dominance immediately with outright wins at the 24 Hours of Spa, Nürburgring 24 Hours, and Interlagos 1,000 Km, along with class wins at Le Mans, Suzuka 1,000 Kilometers, and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Though the FIA’s new homologation rules mandated a manufacturer build just 100 cars with only one being a road car, Porsche decided to offer a road-going version to its best customers as a way to raise additional revenue. In all, 104 3.8-liter cars were built – 55 of which were intended for road use. Born from this incredible history, this brilliant 1993 Carrera RS 3.8, chassis 084, is one of the 55 road cars produced at Weissach and one of only 12 specified in Speedgelb (Speed Yellow). Lightly optioned with color matched seat backs and Matter roll bar, the car remains true to its original light weight intent.

This RS was originally delivered to Germany, before spending subsequent years in Japan, and ultimately returning to Europe in 2007. The consignor purchased the Porsche in 2012, and has since utilized Marrocco Motorsport in Fondi, Italy to carefully maintain and service it. It has been shown at various events around Italy, and it showed 76,552 kms at the time of cataloguing.

With its wide haunches, deep front splitter, fixed bi-plane rear spoiler, 18” Speedline wheels, and massive red brake calipers, this thinly veiled race car is immediately recognizable as one of the rarest and most desirable 911 variants extant. As with any RS-labeled Porsche, this important 964 is a worthy consideration for any Porsche enthusiast.