1994 Porsche 968 Club Sport

[Leins]

RDMcG said:

Car looks great and I like the red wheels. Suits the car. I have had three cars with red wheels including my old 997RS:

Thanks RDMcG, it’s a great colour scheme on the 997 too. I actually didn’t realise you’d owned one like that, as thought your 997 was green

In other news I have the car booked in with a specialist in a couple of weeks to check out the clutch issue, and also what I think might be a slight coolant leak. They’re based near the airport, so I’ll drop it off to them before flying to Switzerland for work for a few days, so I’m hoping they get to the bottom of it while I’m away

I also hope in that time that the rain here in Ireland fecks off! I can’t wait to do a proper run up to the likes of Kenmare or Killarney early some morning

[Leins]

RDMcG said:

Yes. I do have a green 997 but sold the white car to make room for the 991. I grew up in Ireland and have vivid memories of the rusty cars in those days -sympathy about the rain.!.

Thanks! Speaking of which, many years ago my younger self was on one of our frequent holidays down in West Cork (where I now live) and my father decided to take us all for tea in the quite salubrious Park Hotel in Kenmare. Given it was an event in those days in Ireland to see a new Merc 190 or a 520i, I couldn’t contain my excitement when in rolled to the car park a new white 928 S4

As ridiculous as it sounds, that moment has stuck with me for nearly 40 years, and even though I can’t remember anything about the people in the car, or whatever else was going on at the time, I can still picture vividly that car. It was like the proverbial spaceship arriving in amongst the Bluebirds, Carinas and Jettas

So while I’m not entirely sure exactly why I’m trying to recreate that scene, I’m still planning to head up to the Park Hotel for tea soon for a photo op. Albeit 4 cylinders down on that 928 all those years ago

[Leins]

bolidemichael said:

I really like it on white wheels as per the original photo shoot.

I do too, but I think given this car has been on red wheels for so long it’s going to have to stay on them now. I might think about a second set of white Cup2s, but I’m not sure in reality if I’d ever use them

rallycross said:

Compared to newer stuff any 944/968 is a lovely thing to enjoy down a twist road, you feel so connected to the car.

This is the thing for me. It brings me back a little bit to when I used to run about in E30s and the likes, and it’s something I’ve really missed

Hitch said:

£30k in 1993 would be what, £60k now? Vs a Cayman GTS currently listing at about £90k!

Performance bargain.

Looks lovely.

Thanks Hitch, it really was a bargain back then, but then also I suppose money/credit was tight. From memory the earlier 911 3.2 Club Sport was cheaper than the regular Carrera, so it must have been a CS thing. Any RS is a different story these days obviously

Rumdoodle said:

Wonderful car in great condition. That must be terrific fun on the right roads. I had a couple of early 944s many moons ago, loved them and would definitely have another. Front-engined Porsches are brilliant.

Thanks, I haven’t really started pushing it too much yet until I have the few bits sorted on it and a really good service. The roads around here are great though, so I’m looking forward to the summer:

[Leins]

Rocket. said:

Only just found this thread, lovely car and big soft spot for a 968 CS.

I have just sent your repro dealer sticker to a very close friend who is part of the Lancaster family who owned the dealership back then, nice touch!

Thanks Rocket! Don't suppose you could ask them where they put the stickers on the rear window exactly?!

[Leins]

Rocket. said:

He can't remember exactly but reckons bottom of the window as at the top may restrict rear view mirror?

Makes sense, thanks Rocket! Much appreciated

I found this older one, which looks like on a 911 3.2 at least it was bottom centre:

[Leins]

^^^ Thanks very much

I had a work colleague years ago who had a blue Sport, but I can’t for the life of me remember which blue it was. I remember one day it did a “spirited” launch away from a toll booth against a then new Audi B5 S4, and there wasn’t much in it

Speaking of E36 M3s, I’ll be doing a little road trip in the summer in convoy with this, amongst a few other cars. Can’t wait

[Leins]

I really do hope there are no sewage lines in my car!

rallycross said:

I had a 968 sport ( not club) exactly like this same colour same wheels, I’d didn’t really enjoy it as much as I should have as it was a let down after having just sold my 300 bhp 944 turbo 91 model with the big brakes and lsd.

I’d love to have another one of either now but prices have changed so much.

I think white is the best colour for a sport they look stunning with red script .

Lovely! I’m a big fan of the 944 Turbo too, and have considered one in the past. I can imagine with 300hp it would move along very nicely

I think for me now there’s not a whole pile of difference between them all. I’ve sort of taken a step back in the ever increasing power levels, something that in my younger days when I was commuting I wanted more and more of. Now I just want a happy medium, and with the 968 it’s just about perfect. In saying that, I do plan to take it down to Germany at some point and give it a proper run down the Autobahn to see what it can do

DanielSan said:

There's something endlessly delightful about these, one of the greatest looking Porsche's ever
.

Cheers, and yes I agree. It’s always been a favourite of mine

[Leins]

In other news, I’ve now transferred the car over to an Irish registration, so new plates are about to go on. In addition, as it’s now over 30 years old I’ve paid the annual motor tax to the princely sum of €56

Those of you who know our normally punitive car taxation will understand my joy at that, given only two months previous it would have been €1500pa

[Leins]

PomBstard said:

Have just found this thread - awesome to see another 968 being used

Someone mentioned how good they feel against modern stuff, and I definitely agree - I had a Nissan 400Z for a day about a year ago and decided I’d keep my 968, even if it is about 140bhp down - the handling is just sublime.

And my kids and their friends all love it too!

Thanks PB. Agreed! I’m really not missing the extra power I had with my previous RS4

Unreal said:

Interesting read OP. Shame you're not on the mainland or I lived there or we could have done a good photoshoot. I have a red RX7 and blue A610!
Thanks for posting the magazine comparison. You have a great car there.

Cheers Unreal, now that would be a great pic! Maybe sometime when I’m over in England, as I do go to the odd show or event…

Kawasicki said:

Nicely played.

Thanks Kawasicki. It’s all good to go for Irish roads. Just need to get the garage interior finished now

[Leins]

cerb4.5lee said:

You've lived the life with cars for definite Leins.

I love it for sure.

Thanks Lee. It’s been a bit harder to do these last few years due to young kids, but my eldest is now six so he’s starting to join in. He’ll be coming with me for the trip over to drop the car to Jaz in a couple of months

Only problem is he’s already more a fan of Ferraris and Lamborghinis!

[Leins]

Flying for work this morning, so decided I’d take the 968 and drop it to an independent near the airport who has been recommended to me. He’s going to take a look at the clutch, which I think is going to turn out to be a failing slave cylinder, and a couple of other smaller things

Lovely drive up which took about 90 minutes, no real traffic on the country roads and the weather is nice. The car really handles beautifully, in its element being pushed through corners. There’s a bit of grunt for overtaking too, not in the league of some of the past cars I’ve had mind, but well able to make decent progress

The main difference though is sound - you hear everything going on. Mechanical noises, loose gravel underneath, wind noise, etc. if it was my daily I’d possibly hate it, but for this sort of occasional driving I absolutely love it!

Edited by Leins on Tuesday 16th April 10:35

[Leins]

rallycross said:

Looks nice
Failing slave cylinder usually gives occasional soft pedal which can be pumped up a bit. Luckily slave cylinder is easy to change and low price

Cheers. Yes, that’s what I reckon it is, as it just comes back into action again straightaway

4340BB said:

Stunning. I've always admired the 968. Certainly looks like you got a good one.
Off to the classifieds for a perusal.......

Thanks very much. You definitely should

[Leins]

Quick update - it is the slave that’s the issue, but also the clutch fluid looks like it hadn’t been changed in a long time. I can only think the previous owner didn’t realise there was a separate reservoir on RHD 968s, and so it wasn’t running off the fresh brake fluid

Just waiting on the new slave to arrive and be fitted, along with new fluid, and we’ll hopefully be fully back up and running again

Everything else seems to check out fine with the car for now, no leaks found or anything like that! . However, its big service coming up in a few weeks time will make me feel a bit more comfortable and the car should then hopefully be set for the next while

[Leins]

Unreal said:

Car looks great. Let me know if you bring it to England - I still keep some cars near Goodwood so we could get some good pics.

Re the clutch, does it worsen when the car is warmed up? A pretty cheap option and something that would complement the other changes would be a high quality braided hose. This fixed a problem I had with a BMW where the old hose was expanding when warm.

Thanks Unreal, will do that!

No, temperature seemed to make no difference. As far as I’m aware, they already used a braided (blue) hose on the clutch as standard, but am open to correction on that. I’m hoping the new slave and fluid make a difference now

[Leins]

^^^ Thanks very much Gregg. It’s nowhere near the level of desirability (or price or power) of the likes of the latest GT3 RS, but I love this little car all the same

[Leins]

So it took a little bit of time to source a new slave cylinder, but finally got an OE one from Germany. It was also heavily discounted which was a bonus!

Car is now back with me and had a great drive home today in it, making the most of the sunny weather

[Leins]

Bright Halo said:

Looking good!

Thanks very much!

I’m only a few weeks off a trip to Jaz Porsche for a big enough service, and it seems to be running well now. Looking forward to the trip over, especially as my son will be coming with me. It’s his first little road trip, and he’s getting excited

[Leins]

With a bit of a brighter evening than I expected, as soon as I finished work I managed to give the car a run out along the coast

One thing I’m still getting used to is the noise. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some loud enough cars, but it’s always been more induction, exhaust or supercharger noise. However, with the Club Sport you hear everything as it’s got feck all in the way of sound-deadening - gravel on the underside, seat-belt harness clips clanking, all the mechanical noises coming from up front and behind. It all adds to the experience of what isn’t by moderns terms a very rapid car, but it does feel it to drive

[Leins]

trails said:

Amazing how much noise gravel makes isn't it!

Car looks perfect in those photos

It really does. I think it’s the first car I’ve had where I’d really struggle to ever try use it as a daily. Interestingly, the first owner did 75k miles in it in 6 years, which is some going

Thanks btw, it’s getting there. I’m looking forward to having the wheels refurbished next month though and going full red with them

[Leins]

Only a small thing but the old aerial was looking a bit the worse for wear: