1992 Porsche 968 Club Sport CS

The Porsche 968 was introduced to the world back in 1991 to excellent reviews. The standard 968 Coupé came with a 3-litre, 4-cylinder engine producing 225lb ft of torque and 240bhp. In 1992 Porsche set their sights on creating a car tailored more for the driving enthusiast and, in particular, one that would excel on track. In late 1992, the 968 Club Sport "CS' was born. Mechanically almost identical to the standard coupé, sharing the same engine and 6-speed gearbox, the CS was a stripped-down, no-nonsense track weapon that saw dramatic improvements to the handling and overall performance.

This was achieved by removing all luxury-orientated equipment from the options list, for example, less sound deadening material was used and the electric windows were replaced with hand wound units. In addition, Porsche installed manually adjustable lightweight Recaro racing seats rather than the standard power-operated leather buckets. A revised suspension system, optimized and lowered by 20mm, with 17-inch wheels were also to be found. With the no-frills approach, less weight, and optimised suspension, Porsche could focus media attention on the Club Sport's fast road and track abilities. The 968 Club Sport achieved a 'Performance Car Of The Year' award in 1993 from Performance Car magazine in the UK. In total, just 1,923 units were produced, making the Club Sport a very rare limited edition Porsche.

This original 968 Club Sport was one of the very first examples off the production line. According to the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this "CS' was completed on 5th November 1992 and sold new by Porsche Germany in left--hand drive. In fact, the vendor understands that it was actually used in the publicity brochures for the model. Whilst this cannot be confirmed, the earliest known CS model was built on 19th October 1992, just 17 days after this example.

Finished in Maritime Blue with a black interior, the car was ordered with the factory options of stronger battery, limited slip differential with 40% lock, Blaupunkt radio, reduced radio prep and air conditioning. It also features a roll cage, which is an after-market unit, and factory sports seats.

One of the most impressive aspects of this 968 Club Sport is the two large history folders containing bills, previous MoT certificates, German registration documents and a copy of the original sales brochure. There is no doubt, that this car has been cherished by every one of its owners. There are 20 stamps in the original service book, ranging from main agents in both Germany and the UK to specialists such as PARR in Sussex. An engine rebuild was completed by PARR in 2008 and the vendor has just had a cambelt service carried out.

Having covered a mighty 234,289 kms (145,000 miles) from new, the condition of this vehicle would suggest it has covered half of that mileage. We urge potential purchasers to see this car in the flesh, have it inspected by a specialist and reserve judgement until physically seen. The paintwork retains a good shine and is in good condition, the shut lines are presentable, the interior is in great order and the engine bay is beautifully clean with no obvious signs of accident damage. The car also drives extremely well and will be driven to the auction by the vendor.

We can think of no greater track-day companion than this stunningly prepared and well-cosseted 968 CS. A very early example of a model that is considered by many to be a sleeping giant within the collector community. We tip the 968 Club Sport for great things in the future, as enthusiasts realize how truly fantastic they are to drive.