1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS
The Porsche Carrera RS (964 RS) Was An Epic, Lightweight, Stripped Down Road Racer
Known as: 964 Carrera RS
Model Years: 1991-1992
Engine: 3.6 L Aircooled Flat 6 (M64/03)
Production: 2,282
Power: 260 bhp @ 6100 rpm
Torque: 229 ft/lbs @ 4800 rpm
0-60 mph: 5.1 seconds
1/4 Mile: 12.9 seconds
Top Speed: 162 mph
In hommage to the 1973 911 Carrera RS, Porsche used the same formula to produce a lightweight version of the Carrera 2 from the race-ready Cup car known simply as the Carrera RS. The Porsche Carrera RS, or 964 RS as it is more widely known started shipping in November 1991 as a 1992 model year car.
A primary objective for Porsche engineers was making the 964 RS as light as possible and in the end they were able to take out almost 300 pounds of weight. The bonnet was made out of aluminium, the side and rear windows were made from a lighter, thinner-gauge glass. Sound-insulating interior mats were removed, the front fog lamps were replaced with transparent covers and even the rust preventative undercoat was omitted. Porsche also removed the power steering, power windows, rear seats, electronically adjustable front seats and front armrests. The 964 RS was also fitted with lightweight magnesium Cup wheels. At 2706 pounds the 964 RS was 286 pounds lighter than the standard model.
The RS used an upgraded version (M64/03) of the M64 engine used in the 964 Carrera 2 and 4 (M64/01). Power was boosted by 10 horsepower from the new 3.6 liter boxer engine thanks to some magic by Porsche engineers. The pistons and cylinders were carefully selected and matched and the engine used rubber mounts in place of hydraulic mounts. It also had a lightweight single-mass flywheel that weighed 12 pounds. A lighter and simpler wiring harness was fitted and the ECU was reconfigured for higher octane fuel. Power went from 250 hp to 260 hp and torque increased from 229 ft/lbs to 240 ft/lbs.
The chassis was stiffened thanks to additional bracing and welding in key areas. The suspension on the Porsche Carrera RS was lowered by 40mm and made considerably stiffer with race-tuned shock absorbers. The front brakes comprised cross-drilled discs with four-piston fixed callipers as used on the 911 Turbo. The rear brakes were taken from the Carrera Cup race car.
Performance wise, the 964 RS had the same power and top speed as the coupe on which it was based. It out-accelerated its donor car by a lot thanks to its lighter weight. 0 – 60 mph was over in just 5.1 seconds (0.5 second faster than the standard C2). On the track it was awesome and easily bested the C2. If you want to understand cars like the recent 911 R, a car like the 964 RS is a good place to start.
The 964 Carrera RS was offered in three road legal versions. The first was a base option that offered no luxury at all, the second, a touring model, came with limited extras and the third was the N-GT (near-production GT).
Our Take
One of my most memorable drives was in a 964 Carrera RS. The engine loves to rev, erupting with a visceral snarl in a way that today’s cars just can’t match. 260 hp doesn’t sound like a lot compared to today’s cars and the quoted 0 to 62 mph time of 5.4 seconds is doable in a minivan these days. But this just doesn’t feel like a 260 hp car, it feels much faster. It just builds speed insatiably beyond 4,000 rpm and with that rev-happy engine it just eggs you on to push and push. Love it.
The 964 RS has 322 mm Turbo discs the front, 299 mm Carrera Cup items at the rear and they work well in scrubbing off speed. The G50 gearbox with its short gearing coupled with the unassisted steering of the RS is pure magic. The car keeps you busy, adjusting the feelsome steering and rowing up and down the gears non stop. With all the slack taken from its chassis, the 964 RS also changes direction like no car I have ever driven. It is so engaging.
There are no electronic traction or stability systems apart from ABS, but feedback is so nuanced you hardly need them. You feel the level of residual grip through your palms, the soles of your feet and the seat of your pants. The way this pseudo—racer ambushes your senses is endlessly exciting.
Porsche 964 Carrera RS Videos
Porsche 964 RS Pictures & Gallery
911 Carrera RS Specs & Performance
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | Stuttgart, Germany |
| engine | Air-Cooled Flat-6 |
| displacement | 3600 cc / 219.7 in³ |
| compression | 11.3:1 |
| power | 193.9 kw / 260.0 bhp @ 6100 rpm |
| specific output | 72.22 bhp per litre |
| driven wheels | Rear Engine / RWD |
| length | 4275 mm / 168.3 in |
| top speed | ~260 kph / 161.6 mph |
911 Carrera RS Auction Sales History
1992 Porsche 911 – sold for €226,480. This RS 964 is from 1992, the first year of production of the model and was sold new in Germany. It was bought by its current owner in the late 1990s, when the car had covered some 16,000 km, and had been maintained by the first owner at Porsche’s Stuttgart dealership. Real enthusiast of the brand, our collector was keen to find a model in its original “Maritim Blau” color. Demonstrating his commitment to the brand and showing a real talent for racing, it is interesting to note that he competed in the 2000s in the Carrera Cup. At that time, he sold the car to one of his close friends. Four years ago, he decided to buy it back again.
While the car had covered 66,378 km, he commissioned a major service in the garage Ferrari Imola in Bayonne. Its maintenance book is up to date and since 2005 all servicing has been done in the same facilities in Bayonne. The meter now displays 68,450 km, hardly more since the major overhaul mentioned earlier.
All maintenance bills and complete files are available. In November 2014, an expert evaluation was done. The report speaks for itself as to the condition of the body, the paint, upholstery and trim, described as in a perfect state of presentation. Mechanically, no abnormalities were found, and the report notes the absence of oil leak traces. This expert report confirms the beautiful condition of the car on offer. Auction Source: Rétromobile 2015 by Artcurial Motorcars
1992 Porsche 911 Type 964 Carrera RS Coupé WPOZZZ96ZNS491619. The car was delivered new in Italy to its first owner on 20th May 1992. It was first serviced in Milan in September 1992 at 3,200 kilometres and only sold to its second owner in 2001. The second owner was Mr Woodhead, a Canadian expatriate living in Europe, who bought it for pleasure use during his time in Europe. He drove it mainly in Germany and the UK, only in fine weather, always keeping the car in immaculate order. Bought by the current vendor in 2014, the Carrera is presented in excellent ‘showroom’ condition, currently displaying a genuine total of only 58,000 kilometres (approximately 36,000 miles) on the odometer. Full service history is recorded in accompanying invoices for work carried out and the original stamped service booklet. The car also comes with its original owner’s manual. Auction Source: 2015 Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS WP0ZZZ96ZNS490194 – sold for €201,600 One of just 1,992 lightweight Carrera RS Coupés produced for 1992. Delivered new in Italy; only 57,700 kilometres recorded. Exceptional condition throughout; includes service records. Original books in pouch, tools, spare tyre, and set of keys. Auction Source: 2015 Paris by RM Auctions
1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.6 WPOZZZ96ZNS490656 – sold for €268,800 A highly original example of the 964 series Carrera RS. Known history and under 12,000 kilometres from new. Features desirable factory bucket seats and magnesium wheels. One of 290 examples built. Auction Source: 2014 Monaco by RM Auctions
