One to Buy: 1 of 17 1994 Porsche 911 3.6 Turbo S (964)
The 964-based 911 3.6 Turbo S marked a last hurrah for the rear-drive single turbo platform before the all-wheel drive twin turbo 993 arrived. Porsche had just under 100 bodyshells they wanted to use up so the Exclusive department was tasked with creating the ultimate all bells and whistles Spezial.
Of the 93 examples of the 3.6 Turbo S built, 76 were finished to Flachbau trim while the remaining 17 were configured with the 911’s standard headlight arrangement.
These 17 cars cost 20% more than the outgoing non-S model and came with a host of upgrades to include an X88 power kit, special front lip spoiler (X92), body coloured rear spoiler (X83), air inlets in the rear fenders (X99) and polished wheels (407). Both the rear spoiler and rear fender inlets had previously been seen on the earlier 3.3-litre Turbo S Lightweight.
One of the 17 cars built to 3.6 Turbo S trim with standard headlights will be going under the hammer with Gooding & Company at their Pebble Beach auctions set for August 18th and 19th.
Originally delivered to a German customer in November 1993, chassis 470251 was configured in Speed Yellow over a Black interior. It was importantly specified without a sunroof. Optional extras fitted included electrically adjustable heated sport seats, a tinted windscreen and Blaupunkt London audio system.
Significantly, this car is thought to have been the one track tested by Michael Schumacher for an Auto Bild comparison against machinery from Bugatti, Ferrari, Jaguar and Lamborghini.
Reprinted below is Gooding & Company’s description for this perhaps uniquely appointed 911 3.6 Turbo S which is currently showing a little under 30,000km:
Estimate: $1m - $1.25m Without Reserve
Chassis: WP0ZZZ96ZRS470251
The Ultimate Development of Porsche’s Legendary 964 Turbo
One of Only 76 High-Performance Turbo S Models Built for Rest of World Markets
Equipped with Ultra-Rare X99 Rear Fender Vents, Sport Seats, and Sunroof Delete
Finished in Vibrant Speed Yellow (Code X4) over a Black Full Leather Interior
Accompanied by Books, Tools, Factory Accessories, Records, and Porsche COA
Widely thought of as one the most capable sports cars of its time, the original Porsche 911 Turbo was created to satisfy FIA homologation regulations and allow 934 and 935 racers to compete during the 1976 racing season. Distinguished by widened bodywork, a turbocharged six-cylinder engine, and “whale tail” rear spoiler, the Turbo quickly gained favor among enthusiasts worldwide. Consequently, every 911 generation since, has featured a Turbo within its lineup.
A second-generation Turbo arrived for the 1990 model year based on the extensively revised 964-series 911. Similar to its stablemates, the new model incorporated visual enhancements, including more aerodynamic and integrated bumpers, while technical advances included anti-lock brakes, power steering, airbags, and – finally – effective air-conditioning. Underneath, lightweight alloy control arms and coil springs replaced an antiquated torsion-bar setup.
At first, the Turbo retained the same lag-prone 3.3-liter engine as its predecessor; however, for the 1993 model year, the 911 Turbo 3.6 remedied many of the shortcomings and featured an enlarged 355 hp M64 flat-six engine that provided smoother and more predictable power delivery. Toward the end of 1993, as production of the 3.6-liter Turbo was coming to an end, 93 Turbo coupes reportedly remained in inventory. In response, Porsche sent these remaining models to its Exclusive Department – a specialized division within the company that focuses on creating customized vehicles for customers – for a distinctive transformation into limited-edition Turbo S models.
Turbo S models were equipped with an engine developed for the Brumos Racing team by Andial. Designated X88, the M64/50S engine generated 385 hp at 5,750 rpm while 384 lbs./ft. of torque was now available at lower rev ranges. Coupled with an upgraded G50/52 five-speed manual gearbox with a limited-slip differential, the increased power came from a larger KKK turbocharger, modified cylinder heads, higher-lift camshafts, and revised air intake. Resulting in even more responsive performance, 0–60 mph was said to drop to about 4.0 seconds – from 4.7 seconds for the standard Turbo – on to a 174 mph top speed.
Finished in eye-catching X4 Speed Yellow over a black full leather interior, this Rest of World market (ROW) 964 Turbo S was completed on October 15, 1993. Configured to closely resemble the limited-production, 3.3-liter Turbo S Lightweight (Liechtbau) this example was ordered without a sunroof and more traditional upright headlights, while the vast majority of other examples were equipped with the Flachbau (“flat construction”) nose. It is believed to be one of just three ROW Turbo S examples that also have X99 rear fender vents. Aside from the standard combination of Turbo S features, additional extras noted on its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity include electrically adjustable heated sport seats, tinted windscreen, and a Blaupunkt London RDM 42 radio.
Delivered new in Germany in November 1993, this car may have been the X99-equipped Speed Yellow Turbo S featured in Auto Bild magazine’s May 1994 supercar test, in which Michael Schumacher personally track-tested the latest crop of high-performance cars from Bugatti, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, and of course, Porsche.
The Turbo S remained within a private collection until 2005 when it was reportedly sold into the Samsung Collection and exported to South Korea. In 2014, it was repatriated to Germany by highly regarded marque specialist Roock Sportsystem. Subsequently – and with just 29,201 kilometers – this car was sent to Porsche Zentrum in Karlsruhe for a thorough recommissioning, completed in 2017, with a lengthy 19-page invoice totaling nearly €70,000 on file. Sold to one further German collector in 2017, this Turbo S was more recently sold into current American ownership with scant extra mileage accumulated and 29,326 kilometers – or less than 19,000 miles. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer showed just 29,902 kilometers.
Offered with its books, factory accessories, Porsche COA, and service records, this 964 Turbo 3.6 S is the recipient of concours-level detailing and appears very much like it had when it departed the Porsche factory in 1993, with the exception of its period-correct Leichtbau-style rear wing.
Produced for one model year only, this 964 Turbo 3.6 S is a combination of inspired engineering, and exhilarating performance, with bespoke features and assembly by Porsche Exclusive. Rarely offered for sale, this ultimate iteration of the 964 Turbo would make an astute addition to any serious Porsche collection.
