The 911 Carrera RS was introduced by Porsche in 1992, and it was developed specifically for the European market as a lightweight, track-ready version of the Carrera 2. Whilst the RS did not look significantly different from the other 911 models, engineers in Weissach utilised the simple and time-honoured tradition of “reduce weight, add power” to create the most dynamic 911 since the original Carrera RS of 1973.

Porsche went to great lengths to trim nearly 175 kilograms of weight off of the Carrera RS. Aluminium was used for the bonnet, and thinner glass was fitted in the side and rear windows. Inside, Porsche used thinner carpeting and disposed of the 911’s usual luxuries, including its rear seats, power windows, electronically adjustable front seats, and front armrests. Porsche also chose to forgo power steering, allowing for greater steering interaction and feedback for the driver. Thanks to the use of a lightweight single-mass flywheel that weighed just 12 pounds, the Carrera RS received a healthy boost in power, which also helped to make the 3.6-litre flat-six more responsive than the standard unit in the Carrera 2.

However, the following year, Porsche released an even more extreme version of its Type 964 Carrera RS. While the RS of 1992 was relatively restrained in appearance, the 3.8-litre version featured the extreme wide-body look of the Type 964 Turbo, a massive rear spoiler (compared to its predecessor without), as well as three-piece Speedline wheels. The RS 3.8 was no longer a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but an outright wolf. Ultimately, only 55 examples of this exceptionally rare RS 3.8 would be built.

This Carrera RS 3.8 was ordered new by the current owner in October 1993, and he was invoiced by Porsche on 9 December, a copy of which is included on file. The car was finished in the colour of his choice, Silver Metallic, and fitted with a black leather interior with tri-tone grey seat inserts. Other trim accents include red seat backs and matching red door pulls, and “RS 3.8” script stitched into where the rear seats used to be. Options were limited to just “reduced radio preparation.” As part of the owner’s collection of modern limited-production Porsches, this extremely rare RS 3.8 was subject to the same level of demanding maintenance and care. Showing just 16,652 kilometres at the time of cataloguing, the RS was routinely serviced by authorized Porsche dealerships, as evidenced by its comprehensive service booklet. Along with said booklet, the car also includes its original owners’ manuals in their respective leather pouch.

As air-cooled 911s of any age continue to grow in popularity with collectors, finding an unmolested, unmodified, and original example is becoming increasingly difficult. This Carrera RS 3.8 is in excellent condition throughout and exceptionally rare as one of only 55 such cars produced. This Porsche remains a brilliant combination of sleek design, great handling, and plenty of very usable power.