1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8
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$1,325,000 USD | Sold
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- Among the finest and best-preserved of the 51 RSR 3.8s constructed
- Exceptional condition; displays 39 km (~ 25 miles) at cataloguing
- One of two examples finished in Guards Red
- Well-documented in marque historian Jürgen Barth’s definitive 2017 book, Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8
- Exceptional provenance, with nearly 20 years in a Japanese collection
- Recent $40,000 service by Retrosport of San Rafael, California; prepared for road use
The 964 Carrera RSR reflected Porsche's return to production-based GT racing dominance. Based on the only slightly less-potent RS 3.8, the RSR was a full-bore lightweight Turbo-bodied beast aimed at major European GT contests and the North American Supercar series. The rear of the 911 Turbo's wide body was occupied by a model-specific Type M64/04 3.8-liter air-cooled flat-six, naturally aspirated with 11.4:1 compression, lighter pistons, dual ignition, new intake manifolds with six individual butterflies, dry-sump lubrication, and Bosch electronic fuel injection. This potent engine, essentially a 3.6 with a 2-mm bore increase, gave as much as 375 horsepower—perhaps more—and 284 pound-feet of torque, depending on class restrictions.
Body shells for the new RSR were crafted on the normal 964 assembly line, with all seams in the tub welded for additional strength. The painted tubs were then trucked over to Wilfried Matter, where a full roll cage with side-intrusion protection was welded in before the shells were returned to Zuffenhausen for completion. The cage structure added considerably to the tub's torsional strength. The uprated suspension, lowered by an inch and a half, incorporated stainless-steel Heim joints, fully adjustable competition Bilstein shocks and struts, adjustable anti-roll bars, ABS brakes from the Turbo S with competition pads, and wide, three-piece modular Speedline wheels of 18-inch diameter that were half an inch wider than those of the RS. Porsche's engineers were pleased to find that the completed cars scaled 2,673 pounds dry, less than the class minimum, and teams were able to add ballast where desired to meet the weight requirement.
The Carrera RSR 3.8 presented for sale here, chassis 496090, certainly ranks among the most unique examples in existence, having never seen track use and displaying just 39 kilometers (~25 miles) at cataloguing. As documented in marque historian Jürgen Barth’s definitive 2017 book, Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8, this RSR was delivered new to its first owner, Walter Scheuermann of Memmingen, Germany, on 15 December 1993. Per a copy of the car’s factory workshop order, it was specified as one of just two examples finished in Guards Red and equipped with a locking differential, 120-liter fuel tank, ADAC GT-type exhaust, Le Mans gear ratios, air jacks, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a passenger seat with six-point racing harness.
Following its delivery, chassis 496090 was never entered in competition before being sold to a noted Japanese collection, where it remained for the better part of the next two decades. In 2013, the car changed hands and was subsequently imported to the United States. Since the consignor’s acquisition, the car has received a $40,000 service by Retrosport of San Rafael, California including new fluids and preparation for road use. This included furnishing the car with a new OEM Premier FIA fuel cell identical to the original unit, as well as new shocks, road tires, and sport exhaust while also raising the ride height to Porsche 964 Turbo levels.
Benefitting from its recent road-preparation service and sporting a Montana-based United States title and registration, this 964 Carrera RSR 3.8 is now, essentially, a road-legal, FIA Le Mans class-winner. The car stands as the ultimate expression of raw, analogue driver engagement and remains one of the lowest-mileage Porsches of any type in existence. It is an exceptional offering of Zuffenhausen’s finest and presents the unique opportunity to acquire what will immediately become a crown jewel in any fine collection.