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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This Saturday, Mecum Auctions will be offering a beautiful 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Coupe that has been reimagined by...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
Porsche’s roadgoing model line-up has seldom, if ever, been very far removed from the company’s motorsport programme. This thread can...
Quarter mile drag race between the air-cooled Porsche 964 RS versus a 911 Turbo from the 997-generation....
Porsche 964: The Modern Classic by Paul Koebrugge – © Paul Koebrugge The history of Porsche sportscars is peppered with...
In homage to the 1973 911 Carrera RS, Porsche used the same formula to produce a lightweight version of the...
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This is a Singer reimagined Porsche 911 called “Dartmouth Commission”. The car started as a 1989 Porsche 964 Carrera 4...
This 964-generation Porsche 911 Carrera 2 has been elegantly transformed into a tribute to the iconic RSR model. Externally, it...
In 2023, at the RWB headquarters in Japan, company founder Akira Nakai transformed this 964-era 911 Carrera 2 Cabriolet into...
This ‘Sooner’ 911 is based on a 1990 964 Carrera 2 and has undergone significant modifications to both its appearance...
This is a modified 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Targa, known as the “Max Power” commission, which was worked on...
Dubbed “Newcastle Commission,” the car is based on a 964 Carrera 2. This 911 Reimagined by Singer also features the...
Singer Vehicle Design has established itself as one of the premier names in the world of custom Porsche 911s. The...
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Starting with a European-market 964 Carrera 4 that retains its original numbers, this 1991 model underwent an extensive custom nut-and-bolt...
This 1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 4 was restored by GS Manufaktur in Germany, serving as the original prototype for the...
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The rarest 964 RS variant was the awesome 964 C4 Lightweight. Known as the 964 Leichtbau it made use of...
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The Qatar Commission was specified with a Light Grey paintwork, where the interior panelling matches the body color. The Brown leather...
Singer Vehicle Design built the “Greenwich Commission” between 2017 and 2019 as their 109th project. This customized 911 is based...
Manufactured by Porsche Motorsport for use in their U.S. customer racing series, the Porsche 964 Carrera Cup vehicles originated from...
Porsche introduced the 964 Carrera RS for the 1992 model year, specifically targeting the European market as a lightweight, high-performance...
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The unique restoration of this 1992 Porsche 964 Carrera 2 Coupe was exclusively commissioned to Olsen Motorsports, who carried out...
In tribute to the iconic 1973 911 Carrera RS, Porsche applied a similar strategy to craft a lightweight version of...
The Puerto Rico Commission stared out as a US-market 964 Carrera 2 that has been disassembled and rebuilt with a...
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This bespoke version of the ’30 Jahre’ model comes with the wide body of the 964 Turbo combined with a...
In 1993, the 964 Turbo introduced an entirely new engine configuration to critical acclaim. The engine’s displacement was increased to...
Every so often, Porsche creates a short production run of cars that celebrates the attributes of one of their special...
This one-of-a-kind RWB build boasts custom hand-fitted bodywork, including modified bumpers, rocker panels, bolt-on fenders, a GT2-style rear wing, a...
Akira Nakai, the renowned customizer behind RWB (Rauh-Welt Begriff) Porsches, is responsible for creating some of the world’s most iconic...
This Porsche RUF 911 RCT, from the 964 era, serves as the origin of the RUF RCT model and was...
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The Berkshire Commission is a 4.0L, left-hand drive (LHD), rear-wheel-drive beauty presented in Amethyst Metallic with delicate ghosted stripes and...
Known as the ‘Fiona Commission’ by Singer, this car is equipped with a 4.0-liter flat six-cylinder engine paired to a...
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Dubbed the “Lautrec Commission,” this custom Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer showcases an extraordinary and meticulously planned specification. Similar to...
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The 1989/90 change of model year saw the launch of the Porsche 911, 964 series onto the market. This 911...
Created for its first Italian customer, a discerning collector from Milan, ITA001 is transformed with a featherweight all-carbon body, semi-active...
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Type 964 family line-up in 1990 showing the Carrera 4 range: (from front to back) Cabriolet, Targa and Coupé From...
In January 2022, the current owner of this 1993 Porsche 964 Carrera 2 Coupe, originally delivered new in Japan, sent...
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