History of the Porsche 911, part 3: the 964 "nine-eleven"

The third generation in the history of the Porsche 911 inherited practically nothing from its predecessor, apart from the bodywork.

In the history of the Porsche 911 there are key or critical moments, from the birth of the first Porsche 911 to its consolidation with the arrival of the Porsche 911 Series G; the steps towards its establishment as an iconoclastic sports car had reached a point of no return: move forward or stagnate.

That is why the 1988 model, the new Porsche 911, changed its name. This “nine-eleven” would be known as Typ 964 or, simply, the Porsche 911 964.

Porsche 911 964, renew or die

Although, externally, the differences between the previous Porsche 911 and this one were minor, the more aerodynamic polyurethane bumpers and a retractable spoiler that deployed above 80 km/h, beneath the conservative bodywork hid a new Porsche 911.

Without going any further, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 version with all-wheel drive and a price from 114,000 marks, which served as the showcase for this new car, had only 15% of its parts shared with the previous generation. That is, 85% of this Porsche 911 was completely new. The engine remained faithful to the boxer layout, but its 3,600 cc displacement now delivered 250 CV.

But the classic lines could not be abandoned either, and from 1989 the Porsche 911 964 range was offered in the Cabriolet and Targa versions which, together with the basic Coupé, were the body styles offered from the start.

Work that began in 1986, when the first test mules took the first test vehicles of what would be a new member of the family, a new addition to the history of the Porsche 911, onto the roads under real conditions.

Systems such as ABS, power steering, or protection devices such as the airbag proved to be a commitment to sportiness, dynamism, comfort and safety.

Six months after its official presentation, the Porsche 911 Carrera 2 was unveiled, which from 1990 featured another novelty: the Tiptronic gearbox.

As for competition, the base vehicle chosen would be this rear-wheel-drive car. The Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cup was the sports car that would serve as the ultimate exponent on circuits around the world, and in 1993 it gave rise to the one-make cup still known today as the Porsche Supercup.

For life outside the racing circuits, Porsche once again turned to turbo to present its most powerful variant, the Porsche 911 Turbo Coupé, a sports car presented in 1991 whose engine produced 355 CV, allowing it to reach a top speed of 280 km/h and a 0 to 100 acceleration that is still spectacular today: 4.7 seconds.

Porsche, specialist in automotive unicorns

But, as always in the history of the Porsche 911, a demanding clientele with a sporting spirit demanded more, even beyond the Turbo version. That is why in 1992 one of the saga’s icons was presented: the Porsche 911 Carrera RS. Designed for homologation within groups N and GT, but with three trim levels, this vehicle incorporated lightweight materials in its bodywork such as aluminium and reduced glazing. Furthermore, by dispensing with power steering, fitting a 40 mm lowered suspension and 17-inch magnesium wheels, the racing character of this vehicle made it a unicorn among the Porsche 911 versions.

But if we talk about unicorns in the history of the Porsche, this 964 generation had several. Also in 1992, the Porsche 911 Turbo S Leichtbau appeared, an extreme evolution of the Turbo which, like the 911 Carrera RS, relied on eliminating ballast and fitting the turbocharged 3.3-litre block, which now produced 381 CV thanks to modified camshafts, optimised intake manifolds, higher boost pressure in the turbo and an improved injection and ignition system. Its price was 295,000 marks.

On the other side of the Atlantic, homologation problems led the manufacturer to adapt the 911 Carrera RS to US requirements, producing an edition for that country known as the Porsche 911 RS America which featured a fixed spoiler and specific 17-inch wheels.

The Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Speedster, also from 1992, was not far from fantasy either. A vehicle that recovered the open architecture and of which, to further enhance its magic, the Porsche Exclusive department modified 15 units, widening the bodywork as on the Turbo version.

1993, a year of celebrations, the year of “30 Jahre 911”

In the history of the Porsche 911, 1993 marked 30 years since the Porsche 901 was presented in 1963, which, due to a legal claim by Peugeot, was renamed the Porsche 911.

To commemorate the icon’s 30th birthday, the company headed by Ferry Porsche and his son Ferdinand Alexander Porsche paid tribute to the sports car with a special edition of a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupé Turbolook “30 Jahre 911”.

But, without a doubt, one of the ways to demonstrate how far the magic of the 911 could reach was with exclusive productions such as the Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 Coupé Flachbau.

With a production of just 76 units, it adopted the turbo 3,600 cc engine that delivered 385 CV. A vehicle that adopted the retractable headlights of the Porsche 968, integrated into a lower and sharper bonnet “nose” thanks to lowered wheel arches and a lower lip fitted to the bumper.

Like every generation, it deserved an exclusive finale to put the finishing touch on the commercial life of the history of the Porsche 911 964 before the arrival of the next, the Porsche 911 964. The honour fell to the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8.

A creation of the racing department but homologated for legal road use. This vehicle had lightweight side windows, aluminium bonnet and doors; the rear seats were removed, along with any system, device or element that was not vital, such as soundproofing or electric windows, all to reduce weight, and a 3.8-litre turbo engine to increase its power to nearly 300 CV.

The gearbox had its first three gears modified, accepting longer ratios while the shift travel was shorter. The limited-slip differential was standard. The top speed of this car neared 300 km/h, partly thanks to its sophisticated aerodynamics, where an imposing spoiler carried the chiselled inscription “RS 3.8”.

Only 55 units were built, 3 of them with right-hand drive. Some of them have been auctioned, reaching figures such as the one achieved by the car auction house RM Sotheby’s, where it was sold for 1,655,000 dollars.

Technical specifications of this car

CoupePorsche 91119 versions · from 157,835 €