Sometimes writing about a standard 964 almost seems boring. Porsche produced so many rare variants of the model over its short 5-year run that to focus on the base cars almost seems a waste (it isn’t a waste, but you know what I’m saying). Naturally, then, I’ll continue with one of those rare variants, even if this model somewhat blurs the line between rare and standard. After all, the 964 debuted as a Carrera 4, a bold move by Porsche, so there is a way in which the Carrera 4 stands as the predominant model in the range. However, during the final model year Porsche chose to up the ante on the Carrera 4 by releasing a Wide Body version – the rest of the world already had the 30th Anniversary Edition Carrera 4 Turbo-look in 1993, but these were unavailable in the US market. Due to cost considerations the 964 Turbo-look is just that, a Turbo look. Unlike the M491 package for the 3.2 Carrera, the 964 lacked the suspension and braking of the Turbo and simply made due with the wider body. For some, that’s probably sufficient as the wider rear on the 911 has long been enjoyed by many and on the 964 it certainly makes a pronounced statement. Still it’d have been great if had the Turbo suspension as well as the speculated 3.8 liter engine. Alas. There weren’t a ton of these produced for the US market in 1994, and only a little over 1,300 total from ’93-’94 worldwide, making them pretty rare as 911s go. The example we see here is a pretty low-mileage Black on Black 1994 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Wide Body with 39,300 miles on it.
Year: 1994
Model: 911 Carrera 4
Engine: 3.6 liter flat-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 39,300 mi
Price: $85,000
1994 Porsche 911 C4 Wide Body…Very Rare one of only 254 produced…Black with Black leather…39,300 miles…2 owner car…recent service…tires have plenty of tread left but should be replaced due to age. There are a few small dings in the hood along with some stone chips but overall a very clean car inside and out. Priced at $85,000
Call 508-326-6359
While the 964 might have suffered some on the market when new, they are seeing a resurgence on the second-hand market, especially in recent years. I can’t speak exactly to why that is, but as someone who has gained a greater appreciation for the 964 I do understand it. Perhaps it is the closer similarity in design to the classic 911, or perhaps it is simply a matter of 993 prices remaining prohibitive. Either way, 964s are becoming hot commodities, especially any of the rarer variants like this Carrera 4 Wide Body. We don’t encounter these all that often, but the asking price here sits as one of the better prices we’ve seen. It’s priced consistently with other examples we’ve featured, though with much fewer miles. That doesn’t make it inexpensive by any means, but I imagine if the documentation and mechanical condition all check out, then this one should garner some attention and could make for a nice piece in anyone’s collection.
Interested buyers should contact Richard Valente at 508-326-6359.
-Rob
Love a 964 wide body.
964s are on fire right now.
Every clean example I’ve looked at has surpassed 993 pricing.
I think the market has realized the balance between contemporary and classic air-cooled Porsche lies in the 964.
Loathed for so long, there are so few well preserved and maintained examples.
I am not in the know, and I am out of price and acquisition mode, but that is a sharp example. I generally prefer the narrow body, but this one is appealing to me.
The story goes that as production wound down on the 964 and the factory was producing 993’s for the ROW market there were a number of turbo body 964 shells left. Porsche proceeded to make the 964 C4 wide body and sell them in the US since the 993 had yet to be introduced here. That’s the story which has been told to me many times over the years from many different people at Porsche. This is the only variant of the 964 officially sold in the US which I have never technically owned. I did buy one about 8 years ago but I was acting as an agent for my cousin, so it was never officially mine.
The 964 was the red headed step child of the air cooled lineup for so many years. Universally unloved by the purists because of its weight and complexity compared to all those which came before it. Unloved by the 993 crowd because, well it’s not a 993, and on paper the 993 is superior in most measures. People complained about the styling for more than a decade.
I was the odd ball and have owned many 964’s now worth many multiples of what I paid for them and sold them for. In 1997 while I was trying to unload my 94 speedster with 16k on it, the best offer I got was $39k. It was stolen shortly after. What’s a 16k mile Speedie worth today? Probably less than the return in the SandP 500 over the same time. Still… ugh.
The 964 now appears to be the hottest segment in the air-cooled market. Is Singer hoarding them to build their cars? I doubt it. My guess is they are just being recognized as the great cars they are. The 3.6 is really a sweet motor and a huge step up from the prior gen 3.2. Loads of torque and pulls like a freight train all the way to the line. The chassis and modern suspension is far superior to the old original 911 (up to 1989) with its torsion bar set up. The AC worked a whole lot better than the previous gen. The car was / is just flat out easier to drive and still retains a lot of the original look and feel. There is a lot to be said for the simplicity of the original car too but …
There are a couple of these 1994 wide bodies on the market now. This one looks very nice and at a somewhat reasonable price. I typically don’t let color get in the way of the right deal on the right car. Thus I have owned quite a few green 911’s when green was not in vogue. Personally, if this car were white it might be hard not to make some serious inquires about it. Black is not high on my list but its a great looking car at a reasonable price for what it is.