1997 Porsche 993 Cup 3.8 RSR

One of Only 45 Weissach Built Race Cars, Spectacularly Original and Ready for Endurance Competition

Offered at $0

Chassis No: WP0ZZZ99ZVS398077

Odometer: 3,888 Miles

Engine: 3,746cc Flat-6 Type M64/75 (Endurance Spec), Bosch Motronic M2.10

Transmission: 6-Speed Synchronized G50/34

Performance: 345 bhp @ 6,900 rpm / 262 lb-ft > 0-60 mph 4.5 sec / 172 mph

Exterior: Firnweiss (Glacier White)

Interior: Black

About This Car

“Definitely not for the faint at heart, the Porsche 993 Cup 3.8 RSR offers to the one who dares to rise to the challenge, the opportunity to live his ultimate automotive fantasy. As this German warbird tears its way up the straight with a baritone, staccato bellow, you feel the power surge from the engine out through the rear wheels and the whole chassis vibrates vigorously, giving you a sense of what it’s really capable of”.

When Porsche released the Porsche 911 Carrera RS in 1973, they didn’t do so in the hope of creating a road car legend. Instead, it was a means of getting the 911 Carrera RSR homologated for Group 4 racing. In 1973, the 2.8-litre Porsche 911 Carrera RSR would start the season in victorious fashion, a Brumos-entered car winning the 24 Hours of Daytona in February with Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood at the wheel.

By the end of May, the factory Martini Racing squad had added a famous triumph at the Targa Florio to the trophy cabinet before the ’73 RSR was modified with a 3.0-litre engine for that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. This engine would go on to power the 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR, a car that dominated Group 4 racing for the next 24 months in the hands of various independent outfits such as Gelo Racing and Kremer Racing, while a 2.8/3.0 RSR hybrid competed in the US IROC series during the 1973/74 winter.

1974 would also bring about the Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo RSR 2.1, a prototype racing machine that managed to finish second overall in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, proving the forced induction concept to the Stuttgart board. For 1976, Zuffenhausen was solely focussed on turbocharging, launching the 934 and 935 version of the Porsche 930. Initially, the former was known as the Porsche 911 Turbo RSR, especially in the USA, but before long, ‘934’ became the standard nomenclature.

Throughout the Eighties, the GT classes disappeared from Le Mans but, for their return in 1993, Porsche readied the 964 Carrera RSR, complete with 3.8-litre flat six and extravagant wings and spoilers. In the hands of Joël Gouhier, Dominique Dupuy and Jürgen Barth (the new RSR being the latter’s brainchild), a Larbre Compétition 964 Carrera RSR took GT victory at Le Mans, with further wins at the 24 Hours of Spa and the 1000km of Suzuka.

From 1995, the RSR denomination once again disappeared from the tracks as Porsche focussed its efforts on the GT1 and GT2 versions of its recently released 993 platform but, In 1996 Porsche developed a race car to take part in national championship series in Europe, Japan and the United States. The stripped down race car was officially named the 911 Cup 3.8 RSR. Customers and private teams could choose between three distinct factory built 3.8 litre engines, each one tuned to a different specification and designed for the appropriate class of competition. A true factory-build race car, the 993 Cup 3.8 RSR  with 350 PS at 6,900 rpm was a powerful, super-lightweight at 1,200 kg, track weapon and the last truly hand made 911.

A total of 45 Cup cars were produced between 1996 and 1998.

Speedart Motorsports has recently announced the arrival of one of its most rare and significant exhibits, offered for sale for the very first time in the United States.

Chassis 98077 was built on March 7th, 1997 (production no.147 2680) and it was one of 29 units produced for that year, fitted with the M64/75 motor specifically tuned for endurance competition and accompanied by the optional 75 liter fuel cell.

The automobile was ordered directly from Porsche Motorsports in Weissach on January 29, 1997 by its first owner, Takashi Yasunaga of 910 Corporation and it arrived in the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan on March 17 of the same year.

Although the initial intent of Mr. Yasunaga was to campaign the car in the Zen Nihon GT Senshuken (JGTC) national championship due to the car’s late arrival and change of priorities the RSR was never raced with the exception of a few PCJ club events in Suzuka and Fuji and occasional Sunday outings in the District of Hiranuma.

After a twenty-year ownership in the Land of the Rising Sun the car was sold to a British collector and custodian of several Porsche sporting automobiles and it was transported to North Ascot in East Berkshire sometime circa the second half of 2017.

Once again the RSR was not campaigned or raced but rather enjoyed as an automotive artifact of great historical importance with just a few spirited drives in the English country side by its proud care taker.

While in Great Britain the motorcar was impeccably maintained and a comprehensive service was performed by the Porsche Authorized Center in Guidford, Surrey on April 12, 2018 as specified by the manufacturer and properly recorded on the service booklet.

The Porsche RSR was offered for sale by the aforementioned owner via a reputable marque specialist and after few deliberations a deal was struck on April, 2019.

Due to the financial commitment and significance of the asset, it was decided at the time to commission the foremost authority of this particular Porsche genre in order to verify the provenance and originality of car no. 98077. No one would be more qualified than the man responsible for the genesis of this RennSport Rennwagen and head of the era’s racing program.

1977, 24 hours LeMans winner, Jürgen Barth kindly agreed to travel from Sachsenheim to Bramley on April 26, 2019 so he could help establish the true condition of the automobile. His findings and forensic analysis, after thoroughly examining the car as well as cross-referencing factory notes and personal archives are documented in a 12 page detailed report, unequivocally attesting to the blue blood pedigree and impossibly perfect condition of the RSR Cup car.

Once all details were rectified and a bill of lading was issued, the Porsche boarded a Cargolux Boeing 747 at Heathrow, London and was air freighted to the Miami International Airport on June 2, 2019.

Upon arrival to Speedart Motorsports, a further professional examination and an expert evaluation performed, suggests that the RSR is free of any incidents and it has been preserved in the exact same manner as it left the Zuffenhausen factory. To really appreciate the originality of this automobile, one should notice details like the center-lock magnesium wheels stamped with the corresponding dates, the correct Bosch Motronic M2.10 ECU, paint code markings on panels or even the intact labels on the Recaro seat and six-point Sabelt harness, among other minutia, attesting to the museum quality of this spectacular specimen.

Due to the lack of competition only 6,200 original kms are recorded on the odometer and the motorcar retains all of its original panels as well as the original motor no. 62P85717 and close-ratio synchronized gear box no. 2002023 exactly as stated in the official Porsche Kardex.

This matching numbers RSR is mechanically perfect. The M64/75 3.8 litre DOHC with its bespoke pistons and high lift cams is generating 350 PS at 6,900 rpm and producing the most visceral driving experience anyone has witnessed in an atmospheric car of the era.

The close-ratio 6-speed gear box is precise and functions impeccably throughout the entire power band, thus motivating the RSR in to sprints from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and top speeds in excess of 175 mph.

The independent front suspension coil-overs and multi-link fully adjustable rears as well as the camber are dialed in a neutral setting for smoother travel optimized for open road use and occasional track days. Air Jacks are fitted for quick pit stops during serious competition.

The BBS modular 18-inch center lock wheels with magnesium centers make contact with the tarmac via high-speed Z rated Michellin Pilot Sport tires (235 front and 295 rear) ideal for a wide range of applications.

The exterior of the motorcar is in spectacular condition with the Firnweiss (Glacier White) enamel free of any imperfections. The paint meter is consistently reading between 4 and 6 mil throughout all panels, doors, bonnet and roof, further attesting to the immaculate provenance of the automobile. The condition of the pronounced composite flairs is equally flawless.

This RSR opted by its first owner as an endurance competitor was equipped with the Premier Aluminum Fuel Cell according to the FIA and SCCA specifications and installed at the Porsche factory along the pertinent plumbing, hardware and quick filler neck.

No creature comforts in the spartan business office and exactly as configured by the factory with  the Matter full roll cage welded in the cabin including all safety systems, like Sabelt six-point harness, Recaro racing seat, Werner Clubsport fire extinguisher and mandatory kill switches. The proper high grip Momo (Porsche branded) 350 mm steering wheel offers a deep 70 mm dish that moves the wheel closer to the driver and allows for more leverage and quicker steering corrections. A SPA 3-stage shift light module is present on the front facia.

Although the car is a solo racer and configured as such, a matching Recaro bucket seat with a six point safety harness is supplied for coaching purposes or those moments that the designated pilot decides to provide thrilling entertainment to an unsuspecting passenger.

We have seen many RSR’s at various events and we have come to the conclusion almost all of them are different, unlike Cup cars and Clubsports which seem to be more uniform. There are also quite a few non-factory RSR’s floating around – some of which are quite nicely done and period correct. This investment grade, factory Rennwagen represents definitely a different kind of ownership and is most likely to appeal to discriminating collectors or historic racing aficionados.

Speedart Motorsports welcomes all serious inquiries as we would like to extend an invitation to all interested parties in our showroom for a private viewing and in order to witness up-close and personal this Teutonic thoroughbred in its original glory.

The sale of this remarkable find is accompanied by ample documentation including Mr. Barth’s evaluation report, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, original invoice, factory Kardex, built sheet, ownership correspondence, transportation papers including customs documents, some service records, etc.

Disclaimer

Whilst Speedart Motorsports, LLC. (“We”) make a sincere effort to contain information  that is accurate and complete, we are aware that errors and omissions may occur. We are not able therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and we do not accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you examine the vehicle to check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at [email protected]. This disclaimer does not affect your statutory rights.