1990 Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 2S RS America Evocation

Highlights

• Gorgeous early 964
• RS America Evocation
• Long-term ownership
• Substantial history file
• Lots of spares including original Cup II alloys included

Overview

The 964 was the car that finally dragged the iconic Porsche 911 kicking and screaming into the 1990s, bringing with it an entirely new suspension set-up.

Even the outrageous whale-tail 911s that were the mark of Eighties city-banker bonus winners were underpinned by a chassis that could trace its roots back to the 356 in some respects, such as the torsion bar front end and fiercely rear-biased weight distribution, which had earned the car the nickname of ‘widowmaker’.

But the 964 was safer, more assured, more civilised and more rounded, both in nature and in styling.

Although it retained the same basic bodyshell and air-cooled flat-six engine layout of the original (the last 911 to do so), Porsche claimed that the 964 was 80 per cent new, with a far more modern cabin layout, different panels and bumpers, new transmissions, larger wheels and tyres and (at launch) a new four-wheel-drive layout in the form of the Carrera 4.

But the biggest changes were underneath, as gone were the rudimentary torsion bars that had underslung every air-cooled Porsche for over a quarter of a century, replaced by MacPherson struts, coil springs and shock absorbers – a move that also required a redesign of the inner wing structure and front bulkhead. It made it a far more civilised and safer car to drive, yet one which could still be pretty playful if you gave it the beans on a greasy roundabout.

Another novel feature was its electric rear spoiler, which raised automatically at speeds above 50 mph and lowered down flush with the rear engine lid at lower speeds, doing away with the need for the wild ‘tea tray’ rear spoilers seen on 1980s 911s. Some people missed them, but others didn’t, as lavish Eighties excess gave way to Nineties discretion – a decade that began in a far less ostentatious manner as the previous one ended, thanks to the economic boom going bang instead.

This example is a UK-spec 964 Carrera 2, which although the entry-level car, is the one that the purists will tell you to have – rear-wheel-drive, and pure to the ethos of the 911’s DNA.

Much more than that, though, it’s a pretty special car in its own right, for it has been modified to pay homage to the 911 RS America – a car that was conceived as a stripped-out, pared back, no-frills model, with maximum weight reduction to enhance performance. The legendary RS name means that genuine RS Americas are ultra-collectable these days – and that’s assuming you can even find one of the 701 examples made for sale. If you can, you’ll need a six-figure budget.

You won’t need that for this car, though – even though it’s an absolute gem. Owned by the vendor for the past 16 years, it’s offered for sale in great overall condition, with a long MOT and a pile of spares. It looks the real deal, and is a huge amount of fun, ideal for track days as well as cross-country blasts.

History and documentation

• First registered 1 Jun 1990
• UK V5C in the owner’s name
• MOT to September 2025
• Two keys
• Original handbook and service book with stamps showing services as follows: Sep 1990 @ 1,843 miles, Aug 1991 @ 10,913 miles, Mar 1992 @ 21,538 miles, Sep 1993 @ 30,273 miles, Sep 1994 @ 38,616 miles, Aug 1995 @ 46,916 miles, Sep 1996 @ 55,339 miles, Mar 2001 @ 66,401 miles, Mar 2002 @ 68,915 miles, Jun 2004 @ 75,340 miles, Feb 2006 @ 86,982 miles
• Large history file including invoices, receipts and historic photos
• In Dec 1997, the car had damage which resulted in the insurance company declaring it a Cat D write off
• The car has received a full body restoration and full respray in smart black metallic
• When the car was stripped down, some damage was found to the rear right wing which has been repaired
• Note that the colour change from blue to black has not been registered with the DVLA
• Most recent invoice for major service in 2022 is for £3,248, including a comprehensive fuel system overhaul
• Large pile of spares including the original Cup I alloy wheels, original exhaust system and interior parts that were removed during the RS America lightweighting process

Interior

• The interior of the car has been replaced by the vendor
• New carpets and RS door cards
• Full Tech9 motor sports roll cage
• Willans five-point racing harnesses
• Recaro Bucket seats
• Stereo has been removed and internal heater removed for weight reduction along with the rear blower from the engine bay
• Momo three-spoke sports steering wheel

Exterior

• Smart black paintwork
• Good condition with some minor marks and chips but nothing to detract from the car’s overall appearance – please study the photographs carefully
• Underside appears to be in very good condition, with no corrosion advisories on the MOT
• Original factory alloy wheels in near-flawless condition
• All badges and trim present and correct, and in good condition
• Custom powder-coated Cup 1 alloys in good condition, with very good tyres

Mechanical

• 3.6-litre flat-six
• Air-cooled
• Five-speed manual transmission
• Recent fuel system overhaul with new fuel pump
• Straight through performance exhaust system with de-cat – a legal conversion on a 1990 car
• The vendor describes the car as in great working order and notably faster than standard, thanks to the weight reductions

Summary

If you’re holding out for a genuine RS America, then keep on holding on… and keep saving up. But if instant gratification is more your style (and remember, life is too short for many things) then here is the next best option – a really smart and tidy 964 that, to the naked eye, is an RS America in all but name.

If you want to enjoy the exhilaration and raw pleasure of a nineties 911 stripped back to its purest of forms, then here’s your chance – but it won’t hang around, neither figuratively nor literally.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Essex.