Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 – Bad Boy or Good Cop for you?

The Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 is synonymous with passion, power and elegance. It is the last Porsche 911 Turbo to feature the high fenders, or cannon barrels as they are sometimes called. And it is probably the most sought-after Porsche 911 Turbo of them all! To top that of: It even is the most expensive Turbo 911! Whenever you meet one, you are quickly awestruck. After all, it is anything but an everyday sight. At Autohaus Stefan, GS Manufaktur’s home base in Baden-Baden, there is not just one, but two Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6s for sale. Reason enough for us to take a closer look at these two treasures…

What makes the Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 so desirable?

But first things first. Why is the Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 so special? Well, of course, due to its productions numbers on the one hand. The Porsche 964 Turbo was available with two different engines. In 1991 and 1992, Porsche used the 3.3 liter M30 engine with 320 hp. It largely corresponded to the engine of its predecessor, the Porsche 930. 3,660 units were produced in Stuttgart. By contrast, only 1,437 units of the 360 hp Turbo 3.6 with the new M64/50 engine were produced by the end of 1993. This makes the 964 Turbo 3.6 even rarer than the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 with 1,580 built in total.

From the outside, the updated Porsche 964 Turbo was immediately recognizable by its 18-inch three-piece Speedline wheels.

From the outside, the updated Porsche 964 Turbo was immediately recognizable by its 18-inch three-piece Speedline wheels. These breathtakingly beautiful rims alone cost a fortune today. Another important part of the legend goes back to a Hollywood film from 1995. In the blockbuster Bad Boys, Will Smith drove a black Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6. This car, privately owned by director Michael Bay, became the movie’s secret star and adorned countless children’s bedroom walls on posters in the 90s.

Two in one go – Good Cop vs. Bad Boy

Philipp Göller, known for his top-class 964-based backdates with GS Manufaktur, has two of these extremely rare 911 Turbo cars on offer. He invited us to reconstruct the emotional journey through the stories of these unique vehicles. So, two of the rarest Porsche 911s ever were waiting for us outside Autohaus Stefan in Baden-Baden.

This presence has to sink in first. Looking at these two beauties is like being transported back in time. Sure, a Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 was certainly not an everyday sight on the road in the mid-90s. But the scenery makes us feel like we’re at a vehicle presentation from back then. That’s how good these two cars are. Especially with almost identical mileage, but contrasting appearances.

First question of faith: Innocent Polar Silver or PTS Satin Black?

Isn’t it crazy how certain images can evoke associations? This Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 painted in the paint-to-sample color satin black can create earworms through its visual appearance alone. And that’s without even turning the key. To make it easier to distinguish the duet, let’s go with the cliché and just call it Bad Boy.

Of course, it would be presumptuous to say that a Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 is outwardly understated. However, like so many things in life, it is also a question of perspective. Because next to the PTS Satin Black Turbo, the duet’s second Turbo 3.6 Polar Silver looks a good deal more restrained. On the other hand, it makes a self-confident statement with its interior upholstered in special Matador red full leather.

The differences between the two can be found in the details. While the front indicator lenses on the silver Turbo are yellow, they are white on the black car. The Bad Boy also has side indicators in the front mudguard and a third brake light at the top of the rear window. Otherwise, the only question is: Bad Boy or Good Cop for you? Which one should you choose?

An American contemporary witness with remarkable documentation – this Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 is a Good Cop

With a total of 69,445 miles the polar silver Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 (color code A8) has a few stories to tell. And these are very well documented. The framed, original “window sticker” alone is a charming detail of the complete vehicle documentation. This mandatory document contains all the equipment details, as well as the manufacturer’s MSRP. Accordingly, the American contemporary witness was first delivered in San Diego, California, on July 9, 1993.

Added to its base price of 99,000 US dollars were 4,000 dollars for the interior in Matador Red special leather, 224 dollars for hub covers with Porsche emblems, 106 dollars for embossed Porsche emblems in the headrests, 299 dollars for polished 18-inch wheels and 1,245 dollars for the 6-disc CD changer. Optional extras listed as free of charge are the Polar Silver Metallic paint job, Turbo 3.6 badge delete and the electric sunroof. Including gas guzzler tax and fees, the list price of this Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 was 107,699 US dollars. A bargain from today’s perspective. After all, 964 Turbo 3.6s are traded for many times that today.

During its entire stay in the USA, our Good Cop was registered in the sunshine state of California and was also driven diligently at the beginning. This is proven by the entries in the service booklet. At one point, it had covered 12,000 miles in just over a year. What kind of road trips did the four American owners take? Evening drives along Mulholland Drive? Extensive explorations of the Angeles National Forest? It’s a nice idea to drive towards the Californian evening sun in the 360 hp over-achiever of its time…

Its condition is also pleasing – this 964 Turbo 3.6 wants to be moved more again!

Despite its mileage, the “American” still has its original engine and gearbox. This earns it the important attribute of matching numbers in collectors’ circles. Its original California license plates and the corresponding Carfax complete the American history of the first half of the Good Cop’s life. In August 2010, the Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 was re-imported to Germany with a mileage of 67,405.

As can be seen from the mileage, this beautiful Turbo 3.6 has not been driven much since its return. Philipp Göller therefore gave the car an extensive overhaul. A major service, new intake hose, completely overhauled brakes with repainted callipers and steel-braided lines, new wishbones and even restored speaker grilles are just some of the more than 70 items on the work record. Thanks to extensive treatment with dry ice, the 1993 top model even shows its best side on the underbody.

The Porsche Exclusive interior with special leather has also aged gracefully. Its combination of Matador Red leather (color code MD), red carpets, black steering wheel and black switch panels is in keeping with the spirit of the times. The slight signs of wear are entirely appropriate for the car’s age and mileage. They testify to the fact that this is a car that gave its previous owners real driving pleasure and was well looked after.

This Turbo 3.6 is a hot contender for the title of “Perfect Driver”

“The overall condition of this car is extremely interesting. From the state of care to its technical underpinnings and the paint it is in very good condition, especially for an American vehicle. Even all the original stickers and seals are still there”, says Philipp Göller, summarizing the advantages of the silver Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6. Although the recorded paint measurement cannot rule out partial US-typical clearcoat repainting, there are no indications of accident repairs or even filler work.

From the state of care to its technical underpinnings and the paint it is in very good condition, especially for an American vehicle. Even all the original stickers and seals are still there.

Philipp Göller, GS Manufaktur

In short: This Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 is rock solid. The constellation of such a vehicle, which is mechanically sound and in such beautiful condition certainly makes it a hot contender for the title of “Perfect Driver”! After a professional repair in the mid five-digit price range, nothing stands in the way of a great maiden voyage.

A black Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 usually triggers the same associations

Of course it’s a cliché. But nobody can escape the presence of a black Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6. And it is also a piece of movie history that triggers the same associations with the cult film starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in many people. This is no different with this paint-to-sample (L999) Satin Black Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 from the GS Manufaktur portfolio.

To reduce it to this, however, would not do it justice. In addition to the L999 PTS color, it has a wonderful, Carrera Gray interior with color code MB. As with its silver brother, the interior provides a welcome contrast its exterior color. However, the Bad Boy is even more extensively equipped than the Good Cop with heated seats and some equipment codes from the Exclusive department. The old Blaupunkt radio has now been replaced by the Porsche Classic Communication Management System. Its history is also complete. It can be traced down to the last screw, so to speak.

Our Bad Boy no longer wears its original paintwork, but is still in top condition!

After its current owner re-imported the Turbo 3.6 from Austria to Germany 15 years ago, he left no stone unturned. The satin black dream underwent an all-round makeover. What began with resealing the whole engine almost ended in a complete restoration. Even the striking PTS paintwork was completely renewed in 2009. Its mileage of 115,451 kilometers is therefore hardly noticeable.

Despite its new paintwork, the satin black Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 is just as interesting because of its complete history and the large number of new parts.

Philipp Göller, GS Manufaktur

The aim of the work at the time was to bring the car as close as possible to its as-delivered condition. Head stud bolts, turbocharger, all engine gaskets, as well as new door and window rubbers – the list of improvements is extensive and of course well documented with numerous receipts in a Leitz folder full to the brim. This Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 in Bad Boys style is therefore also well prepared for new adventures.

How do these two Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 actually drive?

This generation of 911 Turbos should still be treated with respect today. Its balance shifts, in 964-typical fashion when transitioning between on- and off-throttle. Combined with plenty of turbo lag before even more turbo thrust hits the rear wheels require an alert mind at the wheel. In view of the otherwise excellent manners and the by no means intrusive background noises, the Turbo 3.6 is therefore Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde rolled into one.

In a way, the 964 anticipated the Porsche 911 Turbo’s development path for the next three decades. A 911 Turbo was and still is the one car that can do everything. It doesn’t look completely crazy, but its sheer power can make the entire league of super sports cars look old. And yet, with a relatively comfortable chassis and a pleasant noise level, it also cuts an excellent figure in everyday driving. Compared with the successor – the Porsche 993 Turbo – however, it is subjectively more exciting. This is not because it is better, but because there is more to do to keep Mr. Hyde under control.

You don’t see a Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 every day, especially not two at once

It is difficult to make a decision from this selection. Both cars are certainly very different in their configuration and origin. And yet they are united by the fascination that only a Porsche can arouse. This combination of very compact dimensions with performance that was unbridled at the time and still very sporty from today’s perspective, continues to inspire even after three decades as it did on the first day. And always in the knowledge that, with the Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6, we were driving the rarest of all turbo 911s.

It’s actually a bit of a shame that the couple from different homes probably won’t stay together. Because as Philipp Göller says, you don’t see a Turbo 3.6 every day, let alone two at once. But who knows, maybe they will both find their way into the same garage, against all odds.

© Autohaus Stefan und @domzeroto