The 964 RS America was the brainchild of former Porsche Cars North America CEO and President Fred Schwab. He was responding to complaints from Porsche Club of America members who bemoaned the fact that U.S.-specification Porsche 911s were more grand routiers than the race-bred machines they expected. With guidance from his predecessor, Brian Bowler, and former factory race driver Vic Elford, Schwab requested that the factory develop a lighter, de-contented version of the Carrera 2 aimed at harder-core driving enthusiasts. Because the European Carrera RS could not be imported to the U.S., the RS America was created in a slightly de-tuned form and proved highly competitive.

The RS America lost such standard road features as air conditioning, stereo, a full interior, and sunroof, bringing the curb weight down to 2,955 lbs. Added were performance-oriented items such as the M030 Sport suspension (progressively wound coil springs, a larger front anti-roll bar, and uprated shocks). Standard were also larger 17-in. C2 Turbo wheels, 7-in. wide in front and 8-in. in the rear. “Big Red” disc brakes provided plenty of stopping power. There was now a manual steering rack, and a fixed whale tail replaced the C2’s retractable wing.

The 3.6-liter, normally aspirated M64/01 engine featured ceramic port liners, forged pistons, knock sensors, a lighter crankshaft, twin-plug ignition, and new hydraulic chain tensioners. It produced a solid 250 bhp, delivered through a five-speed G50/05 transmission. The RSA was quick, reaching 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds to reach 60 mph and a top speed of 157 mph. On its introduction, Schwab declared of the RSA: “If you like to autocross, this is your car. If you are a time-trialer, you need this car. If driving is for fun, this is your car – the car that the Porsche Club of America built.”

Just 701 RS Americas were constructed over a two-year period beginning in 1992 for the 1993–1994 model years, most of them in 1993. Purchasers could order some of those comfort options for street use; the sunroof, air, stereo, and the ever-useful limited-slip differential. Only a few colors were available: red, black, and white. Two metallics – blue and silver – could be selected at extra cost. Of course, Porsche was always amenable to applying other colors under its pricey “paint-to-sample” program.

Offered here is a rare, single-owner paint-to-sample RSA, one of just four in Ferrari Yellow (Giallo Fly, in Ferrari parlance). The purchaser specified factory air-conditioning but deleted the stereo and sunroof. It has been driven just 17,000 miles from new. The consignor states that the car is in perfect condition with all original paint and is supplied with its original title and window sticker.