1995 Porsche 911 (993) Carrera RS

Perhaps the most focused and fastest normally aspirated Porsche 911 produced by the factory to date is the 993 Carrera RS 3.8 and it is indeed a ‘wolf in wolf’s’ clothing. There is no hiding the car’s intent, which is to cover ground in a hurry. This extremely rare and desirable car was the ultimate evolution of Porsche’s Type 993 and in turn, it was a step up from the 964 RS. As Porsche historian Karl Ludvigsen wrote in his authoritative ‘Excellence Was Expected’, 'the RS 3.8 was one of several models built to fulfil the company’s grass-roots commitment to GT racing.'

It was based on the Carrera Cup competition car and specifically conceived as an homologation special in a great enough quantity (at least 50 units) to qualify it for the BPR GT3 and GT4 categories as the RSR 3.8. It was offered only to the European market and appeared after the original 3.6-litre engine RS of 1992 had gone out of production. The 3.8, says Ludvigsen, represented the first major alteration to the 964’s air-cooled six. The standard 3.6-litre engine of the Carrera RS was bumped up to 3,746cm² by an increase in its bore to 102mm, but it still retained the RS’s standard 76.4mm stroke.

This engine, the Type M64/20, was fitted with Porsche’s innovative Varioram variable-length intake system and with 11.6:1 compression, it produced a very healthy 300bhp at 6,500rpm (with a 7,100rpm limit) and 262ft/lbs of torque at 5,400rpm. Ludvigsen also noted that the 3.8 boasted newly designed forged pistons of reduced height and a relocated wristpin, both of which helped keep piston weight below that of the base motor. The new engine also featured dual oil coolers and lightened rocker arms. The latest version (2.10) of the Bosch Motronic engine-management system kept tight control over both the twin-plug ignition and the fuel delivery through individual port throttle bodies. A new hot-film sensor replaced the previous flapper-valve arrangement and at the exhaust end of the equation, waste gasses were fed through a pair of catalytic converters and out the twin tailpipes.

Along with the engine updates, an important component of this competition-oriented machine was to make it as light as possible. The RS was brought down to a svelte 1,280kgs by deleting such amenities as the headliner, electric windows, electric mirrors, central-locking, intermittent windscreen wipers, radio speakers, power-adjustable seats, a rear defroster, airbags and sound insulation. Removal of all these bits resulted in an effective weight loss of 100kgs. The 3.8 RS package added a number of performance features to the car, which included thinner window glass (reminiscent of that used on the famed 1973 RS 2.7), simplified interior lighting, an alloy front boot lid and doors, lightweight interior door cards, Recaro sports seats, a front strut brace, ball-joint front damper mounts and adjustable anti-roll bars with five positions for the 24mm front bar and three positions for the 21mm rear piece. There was also a limited-slip differential, an anti-lock system for the 993 Turbo brakes with red calipers, ABD traction control and bodywork, which included a large adjustable fiberglass Sport 'Group 1' rear wing with ram-air intakes in place of the modest fixed tail spoiler that came on the lesser RS.

There are also special rocker panel fairings and small winglets at the front corners of the deeper front spoiler, both of which were shown in wind tunnel testing to assist in guiding air past the wheel openings and air ducts are present in the nose to assist with brake cooling. Inside, the cockpit boasts drilled pedals and an additional dead-pedal, a centre storage console, a 930 S-style steering wheel and an emergency ignition shut-off.

Its power is delivered through a Type G50/31 6-speed manual transmission, with its gearing optimised for acceleration rather than top speed. Immense 265/35ZR-18R tyres in the rear and 225/40ZR-18 tyres in the front are mounted on specially made 18" 'Speedline for Porsche' three-piece, light-alloy wheels with magnesium centres, which are 9" wide in the front and 11" wide in the back.

The car presented here is a 1995 Porsche 911 (993) Carrera RS (chassis #WP0ZZZ99ZTS390514) and is one of only 1,014 factory-built RS 3.8 examples, being delivered new to Japan. It benefits from being in, arguably the best and most-Porsche colour for a 993 RS, Polar Silver Metallic, plus the fitment of the purposeful Recaro seats (a new OEM set of seats will accompany the car), plus the fitment of the purposeful Aero Kit from an RS Clubsport.

The car came to the UK in 2023 having obviously been well looked after, its condition is wholly commensurate with the indicated 47,505km (29,518 miles) which our vendor believes to be accurate and is supported by a service history print out. Further evidence of dutiful ownership is present in the form of it being accompanied by its original Japanese owner’s manuals, two keys, a large collection of paperwork, including Japanese and UK service invoices and a couple of UK MOT Certificates.

The car's most recent servicing was done in May 2025 at 47,419km by classic Porsche specialist Canford Classics, which comprised of a full service, including new distributor caps and leads being fitted, all new brake discs, pads and sensors installed, the brake fluid changed, the transmission oil renewed, the front A-arms and drop links replaced and the shifter bushed being reset; plus four brand new Michelin Pilot 5 tyres were fitted. 

Previous services were carried out by Porsche Bournemouth in June 2016 at 47,409km and in December 2012 at an indicated 47,053km.

This is a real opportunity to own a legendary modern day classic from the Stuttgart stable, a car conceived at a time when Porsche was at the top of their game, producing special, properly rare road cars to enable them to push boundaries on the track.

Servicing history summary:

• Oct 1995 – 1,892 km
• Mar 1997 – 13,688 km
• Mar 1999 – 28,674 km
• Feb 2000 – 31,951 km
• Oct 2000 – 34,179 km
• Jan 2001 – 34,809 km
• Apr 2001 – 35,138 km
• Nov 2003 – 36,209 km
• Dec 2008 – 39,136 km
• Dec 2010 – 46,360 km
• Dec 2012 – 47,053 km
• Jun 2016 – 47,409 km – Porsche Bournemouth
• May 2024 – 47 419 km – Canford Classics