Released in 1989, the 964 generation of Porsche’s famed 911 marked the dawn of a new era. The smoother bumpers, redesigned wheels, and retractable spoiler suggested a superficial makeover—yet 85 per cent of the car had been completely reengineered. Key updates included the 3.6-litre Type M64 flat-six, coil-spring suspension (in place of torsion bars), and improved aerodynamics.

Variants included the Carrera 2, all-wheel-drive Carrera 4, and Turbo, but for 1992 Porsche developed a very special version: the Carrera RS. Inspired by its 1973 namesake, the RS was closely related to the Carrera Cup racer. Sitting 40 millimetres lower than the Carrera 2, the 260-horsepower RS featured a lightened flywheel, limited-slip differential, Cup wheels, and Turbo brakes, plus a bare-bones cockpit to keep weight down.

In 1993, Porsche developed the Carrera RS even further with the ultra-exclusive RS 3.8. Built to homologate the highly successful 3.8 RSR racer, the road car is easily identified by its wide-body wheel arches, massive rear wing, and three-piece “Speedline for Porsche” wheels. Naturally, the vehicle was subjected to an extensive lightweight programme that utilised aluminium for the construction of the bonnet and doors, while the windows featured thinner glass.

Following that theme, the 964's standard plush carpeting was replaced with thinner and lighter material, the rear seats were deleted, and items such as the power door locks, electric window lifts, and electric multi-adjustable seats were replaced with less weighty components. There was no sound insulation or undercoating. All told, almost 300 kilograms were saved compared to a standard, 1,500-kilogram Carrera 2.

As the name implies, the model gained a 3.8-litre flat six-cylinder engine, bored out by 2 millimetres, providing 300 horsepower to the rear wheels through a strengthened six-speed manual transmission. This output results in a 0-60 mph time of just under five seconds with an ultimate top speed nudging 170 mph.

The example on offer is one of just 55 produced and is believed to be the only car from the limited run finished in paint-to-sample Zermatt Silver Metallic, which was complemented by a Black leather interior. The Porsche was completed by the Stuttgart factory on 1 September 1993 and built with optional codes detailing front bucket seats, 18-inch painted RS Cup alloy wheels, widebody kit, 92-litre fuel tank, 40 per cent locking limited-slip differential, and a leather steering wheel by Atiwe.

The 911 was configured for Spain (Porsche country code C27), with original delivery correspondence on file extracted from the seminal works Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8 by Jürgen Barth, Norbert Franz, and Robert Weber. This lists the car’s exact configuration in the chassis registry section. The period correspondence notes first delivery to a Porsche VIP, and remarkably the 911 Carrera RS 3.8 has remained in their care ever since.

Indeed, offered with just 10,210 kilometres showing on its odometer at the time of cataloguing, this rare and immaculately presented Porsche comes direct from its sole owner from new. Importantly, the car retains its matching-numbers gearbox and type M64/04 3.8-litre engine. Bidders should note that, as the 911 has been driven so sparingly, RM Sotheby’s would encourage inspection and mechanical recommissioning prior to driving the car on the road.

While the mere silhouette of this generation of 911 Carrera RS 3.8 will be familiar to marque aficionados, with its distinctive 964 shape and recognisable rear spoiler, the details of this rare Porsche add up to make it one of the most desirable of the air-cooled 911s. Not only is the RS 3.8 a thrilling sports car, but also important as an exceedingly rare modern Porsche fit for any collection.