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First Complete Redesign Of The 911
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Big Power In A Light Chassis
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Incredible Aftermarket Support
To bring the Porsche 911 out of the legacies of its predecessors, the 964 series was introduced in 1989. It was produced until the end of 1994, and the Porsche 964 ushered in many improvements that were long overdue. It was the first time All Wheel Drive was offered, and the ancient torsion bar suspension was replaced by coil springs and conventional shock absorbers.
Porsche 964 Carrera
As their entry-level offering, the first examples offered were the 964 Carrera 4. The 4 stood for 4WD thanks to a center differential. Although heavier than the later AWD models that used a viscous coupling amidships, the 964 Carrera 4 and the C4S are nearly indestructible. Soon after the series was introduced, a more mainstream Rear Wheel Drive model was launched as the Porsche 964 Carrera 2. These were the first Porsche 911 models to have ABS and power steering as standard equipment.
Total production the Porsche 964 is recorded as 62,172 cars. This includes the Porsche 964 Turbo, the 964 Speedster, and the rare models like the 964 Carrera RS. One of the more popular models was the 964 Targa. It was the last Porsche 911 Targa to have a traditional removable roof panel, every Targa since has been a rather complex device. The engine that powered every non-turbo Porsche 964 for sale was all new. Known internally as the M64, it displaced 3.6 liters with a compression ratio of 11.3:1
964 Carrera RS
Aimed at racers, the Porsche 964 Carrera RS was stripped of all luxuries and fitted with a hotter M64 engine. It was 345 lbs lighter than a US-spec Carrera 2, but it was not sold in the US. Many of us wanted a light Rear Wheel Drive racer, but the closest we got was the 964 Carrera Cup. These 45 cars were fitted with airbags to make them street legal, and they battled it out on tracks around the US. To not confuse buyers who might be interested in the Carrera RS America, these race cars were not advertised. The survivors ended up being placed in loving homes, as a testament to Porsche RennSport division.
Porsche 964 Carrera RS America Specs:
Horsepower: 247
Torque (lb-ft): 228
0-60 mph (seconds): 5.2
1/4 Mile: 13.6 @ 109 mph
Top Speed: 182 mph
The 964 RS America was a special edition in 1993-94. To celebrate American enthusiasm for the Porsche 911, they arrived with cloth seats, and without many power options that had become standard on every other model. It had 17″ wheels and suspension borrowed from the Turbo along with a curb weight of 2,954 lbs for only $54,800
964 Cabriolet
Almost every 964 model except the RS, Targa, and speedster was offered as a coupe or a convertible. Cabriolet models weren’t as strong as the coupes, but they bring more money because of their scarcity. This was the last 911 to have a manual top, so convertible collectors like their lack of automated complexity. If you are interested in a 964 Cabriolet for sale, make sure the top and weatherstripping is inspected for leaks at a Porsche shop. This can make or break your satisfaction with the car.
964 Turbo-Woah!
If you wanted to walk on the wild side, the Porsche 964 turbo was ready for a new motor in 1989, but engineers ran into problems adding boos to the new M64 engine. So the 964 Turbo for sale was initially released with the 3.3-liter engine of its predecessor. A few minor revisions allowed for smoother running and less turbo lag, and it was a hit with customers. It offered 320 horsepower, something V8 engines could barely do in the early 90s.
Porsche 964 Turbo Specs:
Engine: Turbocharged 3.3 Liter Flat Six
Horsepower: 355
Torque: 384 lb-ft
0-60: 4.3s
1.4 mile: 12.4 @ 114 mph
Top Speed: 180 mph
964 Turbo S
Another round of improvements culminated in the 964 Turbo S that launched in 1992. Still based on the bulletproof 3.3-liter, power was up to 376 thanks to bigger injectors and camshafts. Devoid of creature comforts, the lowered suspension was augmented by a strut tower brace up front and manual steering. Only 86 examples were produced, which makes it hard to find a 964 Turbo S for sale.
The reason why the Turbo S was so rare is that everyone knew the 964 3.6 Turbo, or 964 Turbo 3.6 was arriving in January of 1993. After solving the issues with the M64 engine, the 3.6-liter offered 355 horsepower in Turbo form. This second generation of 964 Turbo for sale is rare because less than 1,500 examples were produced. The factory was preparing to begin assembly of the 993 series in 1994, but they had enough parts to assemble 90 turbo bodies. These became the 964 Turbo 3.6 S. All 90 cars were transferred to Porsche Exclusive, to be built to order, by hand. They were offered with normal, or slant nose front ends, and each car offered 380 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The 964 Turbo 3.6 S for sale will be more expensive than a nice home.
Porsche 964 Turbo S Specs:
Horsepower: 380
Torque (lb-ft): 384
0-60 mph (seconds): 4.6
1/4 Mile: 12.9 @ 113 mph
Top Speed: 182 mph
A final significant special model arrived in 1993. It was the 30th anniversary of the Porsche 911. The factory built 911 examples for the world, each one was a Carrera 4S with the Turbo’s wide body. A titanium plaque and embroidered seats show the number of each build.
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