1992 Porsche 911 Carrera Cup

The 964 chassis Porsche 911 Carrera RS America was Stuttgart’s answer for those who wanted a lightweight special stateside. Based on the Carerra 2 and using the same engine, gearbox and brakes, this car featured a partially stripped down interior featuring flat door panels and removal of the rear seats. Outside, a whale tail spoiler and sport suspension rounded out the package. Not to be confused with the hardcore Carerra RS available elsewhere, the RS still had a warm reception by enthusiasts seeking something a bit more driver oriented.

However, one could “technically” get something similar to a Carerra RS in the US if they wanted. The Carrera Cup you see here was the product of a stillborn race series that never gained sponsorship, the Carrera Cup. Porsche had produced 45 cars for the series. Instead of crushing them or offering them in another country, they were put on sale in US dealers but not advertised. These cars had a seam welded chassis, aluminum hood, thinner glass and the M64/03 engine. Approximate weight shed over a standard Carrera 2 was 200 pounds. Rarely seen these days, this particular Carrera Cup for sale in New York has never modified for racing, has never seen track time and appears as is when it arrived in the port.

1992 Porsche 911 Carrera Cup on Hemmings Motor News

Grand Prix White with Black leather interior and Black carpeting, Two-owners from new, 5,000 original miles, 5-speed manual gearbox. This Carrera Cup car is one of only forty-five cars built for the U.S. Carrera Cup Race Series. Unlike the European Carrera Cup Race Series, the USA series never came to fruition. Based on a European Carrera RS, these cars came with the following changes from normal production:

Aluminum hood with aluminum strut brace, Deletion of body cavity wax and sound deadening components (except floor pad and roof), Sport Flywheel, Steel synchronizer rings in gearbox, Revised spring rates and struts, Recalibrated brake systems rates, Manual steering, Master electrical kill switch in front trunk, Partial electric seats, Rear seat delete (package shelf only), No sunroof, air conditioning or power mirrors, Racing electrical charging system, 36 amp hour battery, Racing engine mounts, Adjustable sway bars, Seam welding (extra stiffness of body shell), 3.6Liter engine rated at 256 h.p.

The car offered for sale is the most desired example being a Port Series Car which was never converted by Andial and then re-converted back to street trim and thus 100% as originally delivered by the Porsche Factory. This Carrera Cup is complete with original window sticker, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, all paperwork from Porsche to all buyers who purchased the cars, original Carrera Cup Plaque never applied to car and all service records. This is one of the most unmolested and original non-converted U.S. Carrera Cup Cars in the USA. Completely street legal with no paintwork, accident damage or modifications, this Carrera Cup has never been tracked and remains in 100% impeccable, original, pampered, pristine condition. It is complete with all books, tools and spare. This is a chance to own a piece of Porsche history. $159,000

This car poses quite the conundrum: at $160,000, would anyone take this museum quality Carrera Cup and use it on track days? Only the super rich could contemplate such an idea. But with so few made, I’m not sure I could bring myself to put the kind of wear and tear on this car that comes with competition, even if I had the resources. It would almost certainly be better to find a clean RS America, save a ton of money in the process and have a bit more comfort when hitting the streets. Still, lightweight Porsches are a passion of mine, and I’m captivated by this car. It seems a sin to use this on the track, but maybe in a few years time, when this qualifies for vintage racing, it could be a fun toy to take out every now and then and remember the qualities that cemented the name Porsche in the hearts of enthusiasts.

-Paul