Get-Ad Free Access: Join Today!

Porsche 911 Type 964 - The Story

After the 1984 model year 911 Carrera 3.2 had entered the markets, the plans for the next generation 911 were set. In March-April 1984 the future 911 Carrera was internally designated as project 964 and the successor to the 911 Turbo as project 965. Although the 964-generation 911 didn't look very different compared to the previous G-model 911, the 964 was a new car in many ways. Visually new were the bumpers, side sills, rear lamp panel and rear spoiler.

Porsche 911 (964) Model Timeline

Porsche 964 Model Guides

After the 964 Carrera 4 was introduced, effectively solving many of the oversteer tendencies of the previous generation, a rear-wheel drive Carrera 2 was added 6 months later. The Carrera 2 was actually the rear-wheel drive version of the car which packed almost the same technical specifications as the base model. In addition to the base model Carrera Coupe, Cabriolet and Targa versions, the 1990 Porsche 911 offerings also included a Type 964 Turbo option. In 1992, the Porsche 911 Turbo was upgraded to a more powerful 3.6 liter power plant delivering 320 horsepower. At the end of 964 production in 1994, the Porsche factory had some 90 Turbo chassis left and gave them the Porsche Exclusive treatment to create a very special Turbo 3.6 S model with 380 horsepower.

The Type 964 911 first launch with an all wheel drive model. It was a serious investment by Porsche in updating the chassis and tech platform. The 964 Carrera 4 was powered by the M64/01 3.6 liter flat six engine, developing 250 bhp and 229 ft/lbs of torque. The objective of the C4’s all-wheel-drive system was not only to provide improved traction but also better handling, especially in the wet and on slippery surfaces. The system sends power front/back in a 31:69 ratio because a 50:50 split would have made the 964 feel like a front-wheel-drive car.
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet (964)
The Carrera 4 model also launched with a Cabriolet version in 1989 (for 1990 model year). The new 911 generation is introduced in Autumn 1988, but the convertible was not launched until the model year 1990. Alterations to the body include the bumpers and sill tread plates, and the 911 continues to be equipped with an automatically retractable rear spoiler and a cowled underbody. The braking system is fitted with ABS. The 911 (Type 964) also features power-assisted steering for the first time. Like the Coupe, the Cabriolet got the new all-wheel drive system.
Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Coupe (964) (1990 - 1994)
Porsche added the rear wheel drive Carrera 2 variant to the range in 1990. It was developed alongside the 964 Carrera 4, Porsche waited a year to release the Carrera 2 as a 1990 model year car. Like the Carrera 4, the Carrera 2 was available as a coupé, Targa or Cabriolet. Overall, the Carrera 2 packed almost the same technical specifications as the Carrera 4 model. The engine was the same 3.6 liter unit which produced 250 horsepower and a maximum speed of 162 mph. Looked like C4 but was 200 lb lighter and more fun to drive.
Porsche added the rear wheel drive Carrera 2 variant to the range in 1990. It was developed alongside the 964 Carrera 4, Porsche waited a year to release the Carrera 2 as a 1990 model year car. Like the Carrera 4, the Carrera 2 was available as a coupé, Targa or Cabriolet. Think of the cabriolet as a C2 coupe but with a fabric roof and more fun and you are right on the money. It was popular amongst buyers, particularly in the United States, with a total of 11,013 units sold, making it the third most popular 964 model. 
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Targa (964) (1990 - 1993)
This was the last generation Targa with traditional removable Targa roof (till 991). The Carrera 4 Targa outsold the Carrera 2 Targa by 2x, making the 4 Targa much rarer and more collectible. In all, only 1,329 units were made. Overall, the Carrera 4 packed almost the same technical specifications as the Carrera 2 model. The Targa top was quite a project to take off (compared to the simple and fast cabriolet process) so be prepared to garage it all the time or spend 20 minutes every time you want to enjoy open top fun.
Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Targa (964) (1990 - 1993)
Like the Carrera 4, the Carrera 2 was available as a coupé, Targa or Cabriolet. This was the last generation Targa with traditional removable Targa roof (till 991). It sold ok, with 3,534 units sold over its lifetime. The engine was the 3.6 liter unit which produced 250 horsepower and a maximum speed of 162 mph while the 0 to 60 mph acceleration was made in about 5.6 seconds. Performance was on par with the coupe and it is the looker in the 964 range.
The 1989/90 change of model year saw the launch of the Porsche 911, 964 series onto the market. This 911 model was initially available as a Coupe, Targa and Convertible. From model year 1991 onwards Porsche also introduced its top-of-the-line model - the Turbo - into this series. In spite of bearing a major similarity in terms of look to the naturally-aspirated model, the extended wings remained. This meant that the new Porsche could retain its turbo look. The 964 Turbo model was the successor to the Porsche 930. The 964 Turbo was the end of an era, the last of the single turbo rear-wheel drive 911 Turbos.
Porsche made a lightweight version of the Turbo simply known as the Tuubo S. This used the spartan appointments of the Carrera RS with an upgraded version of the Turbo engine. Some cars received graphics on the side celebrating IMSA Supercar Championship. Similar to the Carrera RS, the Turbo S had no power steering, air conditioning, airbags, central locking, alarm system, rear window wiper, smaller window washer reservoir, smaller horn, and had thin-gauge glass. The engine used a second oil cooler and slightly higher boost to improve overall performance.
Engine based on modified 3.6 litre 964 unit. Speedline wheels with big red brake calipers. Lessons learned in the Carrera Cup series proved the reliability of the new 3.6-litre engine. An additional three millimetres on the bore and two millimetres on the stroke, resulted in an increase in capacity of 300 cc. Combined with the turbo optimised cylinders, pistons and crank train, and an increase in the compression ratio from 7.0 to 7.5:1, this helped to boost power to 360 bhp. Torque was increased significantly to 520 Nm at 4200 rpm, up from 450 Nm at 4500 rpm in the earlier car.
19 non 'slant nose' or Package cars were made for the USA only. Very rare. The Porsche factory had 93 Turbo chassis left. These were all transferred to Porsche Exclusiv and hand built as the very special 964 Turbo 3.6 S. They were offered with normal, or ‘Flachbau’ slant nose front ends. While the vast majority of Turbo S’ were fitted with the ‘Flachbau’ nose as a no-cost option, the Turbo S could also be had with the traditional 964 nose as well. In all, 76 Flatnose cars were made while 17 non-Flatnose (known as Package option) cars were made. These cars were also fitted with the X88 option, which increased power to 380 hp.
The Porsche factory had 93 Turbo chassis left. These were all transferred to Porsche Exclusiv and hand built as the very special 964 Turbo 3.6 S. They were offered with normal, or ‘Flachbau’ slant nose front ends. While the vast majority of Turbo S’ were fitted with the ‘Flachbau’ nose as a no-cost option, the Turbo S could also be had with the traditional 964 nose as well. In all, 76 Flatnose cars were made while 17 non-Flatnose (known as Package option) cars were made. These cars were also fitted with the X88 option, which increased power to 380 hp. 75 flatnose units were produced.

Porsche 964 Special Models

Several special edition 964s were made. In 1992 there was the America Roadster which was essentially a turbo-bodied cabriolet for the US market. There was also the Porsche 964 Speedster, based on the 964 Carrera 2 platform. More than three quarters (641) of the 800 built had the “Turbo look” wide-body option. In 1992, Porsche produced a super-lightweight, rear-wheel-drive only version of the 964 dubbed Carrera RS for the European market using their “Carrera Cup” race car as a base. There was also a heavier Touring variant (with sound deadening, power seats (optional), undercarriage protection and power windows) and an N/GT racing variant with a stripped, blank metal interior and a roll cage. A later ultra-limited production version, the Carrera 3.8 RS featured the Turbo body and a 300 bhp, bored out 3.8 liter motor was sold briefly in Europe. The Carrera RS was not sold in the United States. Read on to learn about all the Type 964 special editions.

Introduced in 1989 (the year of the 911’s 25th anniversary), the 964 Carrera 4 was a significant new model for the company, but the 4-wheel drive system was deemed unsuitable for the company’s racing series. Manufactured alongside the Carrera 4 at the same time was the more traditional rear-wheel drive Carrera 2, but this model’s launch was only planned for a year later, in the hope that it would not detract from potential sales of the Carrera 4. The 1990 season was the first season that saw the 911-based model become the pillar on which the Porsche Carrera Cup series has been established.
For race teams and track day customers Porsche prepared a small number of the 964 Cup cars according to the FIA NG-T regulations. Officially called the Competition model, these custom-ordered cars were an intermediary step between the Carrera Cup option (M001) and the standard tourer (M002). This M0003 option was available directly from Porsche as a road-going model. These cars had almost all the Carrera Cup modifications including the new suspension. This lowered the car by 40mm in the rear and 50mm in the front. It also included fitting of the larger 930 Turbo disc brakes and adjustable anti-roll bars.
With the 1993 Carrera 2 as the starting point, Porsche had to make at least 50 roadgoing cars in order to qualify this new model for the Carrera ADAC GT Cup, which served as the basis for a motor racing variant to come, the Carrera RSR 3.8. The RSR 3.8 was nothing short of an all-out race car that could be delivered to the track in a ‘just add driver’ form. The Porsche Carrera RSR 3.8 racked up a catalogue of impressive international race results right from the outset, winning overall at the Spa 24 Hours, Suzuka 1000km, and the 24 Hours of Interlagos.
The rarest 964 RS variant was the awesome 964 C4 Lightweight. Known as the 964 Leichtbau it made use of surplus parts from 953 Paris-Dakar project. A handful of specially prepared lightweight 911s were fabricated by the Porsche factory and called the Carrera 4 RS Lightweight. Carrera RS Body with 959-like AWD wizardry and more power. Lightweight masterpiece. Used parts from 953 Paris-Dakar project. The 964 C4 Lightweight was powered by the same 3.6 liter flat six as the normal 964 RS, but was fettled to produce 300 hp.
Porsche 911 Type 964 Carrera 2 'Works Turbo Look' Cabriolet was a special model in the 964 lineup. It gave buyers of the Carrera 2 Cab the great wide look of the Turbo cars and the Carrera 2 engine. The model was available as a 1992 and 1993 model year car (while some argue it was also available for a while in 1994). You get body shape of the 964 Turbo 3.3 without the huge rear spoiler. But this was more than just a design exercise, because the the Turbo-Look models also got the chassis and braking system from the Turbo 3.3 too. 
The 964 Carrera RS (Standard) was introduced by Porsche for model year 1992 specifically for the European market as a lightweight, high performance version of the 964 Carrera 2. It featured a revised version of the standard 3.6 liter engine, titled M64/03 internally, with an increased power output of 260 bhp (194 kW; 264 PS). The RS does not look much different from the other 911 models of the period but its weight is reduced and power increased. True to its racing spirit, the Carrera RS featured bucket seats and thinner materials, but lacked power windows, air conditioning, air bags, and other creature comforts.
Porsche 911 America Roadster (964) (1992 - 1993)
The American Roadster is essentially a turbo-bodied Carrera Cabriolet with Turbo suspension and brakes. Like the 356 America Roadster it was named after, the Type 964 America Roadster was a limited-edition, driver-focused convertible destined for the American market. Production for the America Roadster was limited at only 250 examples, and the model was only produced in 1992 and 1993. Its engine was a standard unit making 250 horsepower, but the special edition had the wide fender flares, suspension, brakes, and 17-inch Porsche Cup wheels of the 911 Turbo.
Porsche 911 Turbo S2 (964) (1992)
A forgotten part of the 964s history is the Turbo S2. It was built to adhere to homologation rules so Porsche could participate in IMSA's sports car racing series. IMSA's homologation rules meant that Porsche had to build at least 200 road-going versions of the participating car, 20 of which needed to share most of the primary components of the race car. The 911 Turbo S2 was built specifically for this purpose and exclusively for the United States and Canada. The 20 homologation specials left the factory as stock 964 Turbos, heading immediately to California-based tuner for "S2" engine upgrades.
The Turbo-look Porsche 964 has always been a very desirable automobile, among them 1,532 Carrera 2 Cabriolets constructed worldwide. Within that group, there were some cars that were even more specialized. The Register says six Turbo-look cabriolets were pulled off the production line in Zuffenhausen and transported to the Porsche Exclusive shop in Weissach. Three of these six powerful and luxuriously equipped drop-tops were equipped with left-hand drive for buyers in Germany (Code C00), and the other three were fitted with right-hand drive
The original 1973 Carrera RS was available in Europe but not in the USA. Porsche decided to build the 1993 Carrera RS both to European spec and a limited number in compliance with US regulations. These US spec cars were assigned the name “RS America”. The intent was to create a basic lightweight, no frills 911 with minimal luxury options. The standard US Carrera 2 brakes, engine and gearbox were used. The RS weighed 2,945 pounds so it was almost 80 pounds lighter than a standard Carrera 2. 
The 964 based Speedster was the 1994 Speedster which was based on the 964 Carrera 2 platform. There are far fewer 1994 911 Speedsters in the world than the 1989 model, with production reportedly totaled only around 936 units, less than half as many as the 1989 example. Whereas the 1989 Speedster was primarily an aesthetic package, the 964 version sought a happy medium between the regular Carrera 2 and the hardcore Carrera RS. It had the same engine as the base Carrera and didn’t have the same suspension bits as the RS.
The 964 Carrera RS 3.8 was produced as a base for homologation for the venerable 3.8 RSR. It was unveiled in 1993 and produced in a very small series by Porsche’s Racing Department in Weissach-Flacht, and was an extreme evolution of the 964 Carrera RS that was released two years prior. It featured the wide-body look of the Type 964 Turbo, a massive rear spoiler, and three-piece “Speedline for Porsche” wheels with 235/40 and 285/35 tires, making it distinctively more aggressive in appearance than the fairly restrained styling of the Carrera RS of 1992 and capable of providing significantly more mechanical grip.
Porsche 911 ’30 Jahre’ Anniversary (964) (1993)
In March 1993, Porsche presented the Porsche 911 anniversary model “30 years 911” at the Geneva Motor Show. Since then, the special model is also called “Jubi” for short. Under the Porsche internal code M096, there is essentially a Carrera 4 with the wide turbo body but without wings. The 964 anniversary edition could be ordered with exclusive interior design and numerous possibilities of customization. According to Porsche, the special model was limited to 911 vehicles and manufactured in the model years 1993 and 1994.
Porsche 911 Speedster (Turbo-Look) (964)
In contrast to the 911 Speedster from the 1989 model year, the 964 Speedster was only offered and produced with the narrow body shape. In December 1991, the first wide bodied prototype based on a 964 Carrera 2 Convertible Turbo-Look was registered at Porsche AG, but it never made it ready for a series production. In response to recurring customer requests for Turbo-Look Speedsters - the optical characteristics of the wide body in combination with the flat windscreen and fiberglass cover had found many fans - Porsche converted the previously individually ordered, narrow Speedster in the exclusive department.
Model year 1994. Carrera 4 Wide-Body for the U.S. Technically there is really no difference between the Carrera 4 Wide-Body and his RoW counterpart. At the front there are the for America usual black impact absorbers beside the fog lights, the frontfenders lack the side indicators, the rear bumper is equipped with the center piece with a small plate section and in the back window of a large third brake light is integrated. Significant differences, it is generally provided in the factory standard equipment.

Type 964 Specs & Performance Summary


Porsche 911 (964) Pictures, Galleries & Videos

The Porsche 911 (Type 964) was a revelation when it was first released. It was small, fun and relatively fast, a real upgrade versus the prior generation 911. While finding original review videos is hard, we did uncover a few. More recently, the restomod crowd has chosen the Type 964 as their base car so we have found loads of awesome videos of those 911s to share.

Porsche 911 (964) News & Updates

Recent auctions, awesome review videos and all the latest news and posts regarding anything to do with the Porsche 964.

Join Our Porsche Community

Sign up for our weekly Porsche newsletter. The latest Porsche news, rumors, reviews and more delivered to your inbox. Cool Porsche stuff perfect for the flat-six obsessed.

More Porsche Research

There is a lot more Porsche data, details and obsession to explore.