1995 Porsche 911 / 993 Carrera RS
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Year of manufacture1995
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Car typeCoupé
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ConditionUsed
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Location
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Exterior colourOther
Description
The term "Carrera RS" clearly originated in 1972 with the launch of the Iconic 911 Carrera 2.7 RS, the success of which would later form the basis for a number of ultimate, sporty 911 models. Despite the success of the original, Porsche did not bring another RS to the market for 18 years, until the Type 964 RS was created in 1991, of which 2,282 were produced.
The appearance of the 993 generation in 1993 led Porsche to revisit its 911 Carrera, for the same competitive purposes. A sporting obligation that was once again accompanied by a road version produced in small numbers and named RS. The 911 Carrera RS type 993 made its first appearance at the Amsterdam Motor Show in January 1995. 1,014 units were sold worldwide, plus 227 built to the much sportier Clubsport specification. All RS cars are highly desirable, but after the original Carrera RS, the 993 RS, which is the last air-cooled RS, is the most sought after.
At first glance, this RS imposes a more muscular style than its predecessor. While the standard version is relatively quiet, the Clubsport model is outright beastly, with its monstrous 993 Carrera Cup spoiler. The original appendage is more sober and consists of a flat, monoplane spoiler reminiscent of the first 911 Carrera RS 3.0. Sometimes invisible, the weight reduction - an integral part of the RS programme - is achieved by means of an aluminum bonnet and lightened, two-piece 18" wheels. The Porsche 911 RS 993 comes standard with air conditioning and sports seats, but it does not completely dispense with comfort. The Clubsport, on the other hand, does not include these features in exchange for a roll bar, two bucket seats with harnesses and a fire extinguisher. The simplified doors taken from the 964 RS are standard in both versions, as is the power steering, but the 993 RS Clubsport also does without the electric windows of the more sensible version. Of course, there are no rear seats, which rules out a Sunday drive with the family. The carpets are thinned out, as are the windows, or even removed in the boot. The engine has been given a new voice and the slimming diet has been improved by removing a few insulators. The specific "Carrera RS" logo completes the visual signature on the engine cover. The counterpart of the weight reduction is measured on the scales with a weight of only 1,270 kg, a good hundred kilograms less than the 993 Standard.
The mechanical basis of the Porsche 993 Carrera RS is the well-known 3.6 engine from the 964 generation. From this block, Porsche has increased the engine size to 3746 cm3 (by increasing the bore). This modification will be the X51 option for the last 993 Carrera. Air cooled since 1963, the Porsche flat 6 also keeps its two valves per cylinder, which does not make it a model of modernity in 1995, especially in front of the 6 cylinders of the MW M3 or other Honda NSX. Its 80 hp/L output is not a value expected from a sports car of this range. But that would be forgetting two fundamental things about this engine.
First of all, its exceptional flexibility obtained thanks to a high torque value and the boxer architecture. 355 Nm is not bad, but at 5400 rpm it also translates into a real raging character. The thrust becomes very clear between 5000 and 6500 rpm. The power then falls off before the cut-off speed at 6800 rpm.
Unlike the 964 RS, Porsche has adopted a hydraulic valve lash adjustment system, as well as the factory-patented Varioram system, which acts on the length of the intake manifold depending on engine speed and allows for improved airflow and therefore torque. The 993 RS Clubsport is unique in that it does not have a dual mass flywheel and is therefore a little rougher to drive, especially in urban conditions.
The other advantage of the Porsche 911 is its engine layout, which favors acceleration like no other. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in just over 5 seconds and the acceleration is just as remarkable.
On the road, the 993 generation brings a real evolution to the Porsche 911 in terms of its drivetrain and its dynamic behaviour. The most important new feature of the 993 is the aluminium rear axle with superimposed wishbones. The aim is similar to that of a steered axle, with the design of the rear axles generating a small amount of steering input and increasing stability and agility. Wider than the 964, the 993 RS is therefore logically easier to drive quickly in corners and more efficient. Still, compared to our current sports cars, we are far from being asleep! The power steering, which does not erode the feeling, is appreciable, especially with large 18" tyres. You can also count on the brakes. The RS uses the same set-up as the 993 Turbo, with two pairs of 322mm ventilated discs and two pairs of 4-piston calipers. This is good news, especially as the 911 is driven without the brake sign as much as possible! The idea is to drive as late and as far as possible to counteract the understeer induced by the big 3.8L rucksack that pushes your butt. Once the front end is registered, you just let the rear end go smoothly to roll out of the corner and go like a bullet once everything is back in line. Mastering a sporty 911 like the 993 RS takes some getting used to. But this natural reluctance to reveal oneself to the first person is also what makes the Porsche 911 so desirable, so unique and ultimately so endearing. Add to this bad character of the chassis the true character of the mechanics, and you have in front of you what is for many drivers the must of the car production. A car that is desirable and desired, as much for what it is as for what it represents. The 993 RS potentially adds to this the ability to be driven like almost anyone else's car, which is not the least of its strengths.
Purchased via the official distributor Christal Automobiles in Rouen (now Centre Porsche Rouen), this 993 RS was delivered new at the beginning of November 1995 (registered 08/11/1995) to Mr Jean-Marc Lefèvre, a pharmacist in Caudebec en Caux (Normandy). It was Raymond Narac, famous Porsche driver (8 participations in the 24h of Le Mans, among others), who personally delivered the RS by road to the home of its first owner.
Jean-Marc Lefèvre kept the RS until 23/03/1999, when he decided to change Porsches and had the car taken over by SONAUTO Levallois-Perret.
The RS did not immediately find a buyer. Its second owner Eric Vincenot bought it from SONAUTO at the beginning of July 1999, and registered it in the name of his company NEXO on 19/07/1999.
Eric Vincenot buys the 993RS exclusively for racing. The car is entrusted to the care of the Porsche Ravé S.A. center in Arpajon, near Paris, for preparation that will continue in crescendo for almost 6 years.
Eric Vincenot took on the exclusive co-driving duties of Jean-Marc Bachelier (semi-official driver) during the 6 years of competition the 993RS enjoyed, without ever suffering any damage (none!) despite very significant placings in major GT championship events from 2000 to 2006.
Lédenon, Dijon, Magny-Cours, Val de Vienne, Nogaro, Jarama, Monza, SPA-Francorchamps were all playgrounds for the RS, which racked up excellent results in the GT series.
Jean-Marc Bachelier confirms the extra performance of this 993RS, rigorously prepared by Ravé S.A. with no spending limits! The RS Touring is gradually transformed into the RS Cup, surprisingly without losing any of its comfort features: it races with all its original upholstery!
During its 6 years on the track, the car's configuration evolved in the following key areas:
-CUP chassis: shock absorbers, springs, stab bars, aluminum cradle
Cup self-locking system
-short gearbox
-complete rollbar (front part delivered with purchase)
-engine completely rebuilt at the end of each season, entrusted to the ultimate care of Albert Hahn in Germany: Cup gearbox, Porsche Racing camshafts, integral balancing, lightened factory flywheel, etc.
The last engine rebuild took place in 2014 (invoice of 47 K€ in the file) at 99400 kms.
The car has been driven very regularly since then, but on very short journeys, with the last engine totalling just 5,000 kms to date!
Meanwhile, on 04/10/2002 Eric Vincenot transferred the RS into his own name, with new registration and the same owner.
From 2006 onwards, Eric Vincenot turned to much more radical models, parting with the 993RS in 2015. And it was none other than world motorsport icon and former official Porsche driver Gérard Larrousse who bought the car and registered it in his name on 28/05/2015 (copy of registration certificate supplied).
Gérard Larrousse uses the 993RS on the road, and despite its ultra-high-performance configuration, only the shock absorber springs are set a little softer.
At the highly publicized launch of the 991R limited series at the end of 2015, Gérard Larrousse was among the very few privileged people in the running to acquire one of the 991 examples on the market. Such a factory Porsche invitation could not be refused, and the 993RS was entrusted to the care of Historic Cars with a view to its rapid sale.
Its last and current owner bought it and registered it on 27/01/2016. The car was driven very regularly for 7 years, exclusively on roads and short journeys. It receives regular routine maintenance.
This 993RS has lived the life of a very well-kept historic Porsche, as evidenced by its perfect original condition, factory accessories and maintenance invoices. It has never been involved in an accident, despite its track record in FIA competition.
French by origin (one of 23 liveries - carnet Porsche), it has known very few hands and carries the honor of having been one of the personal Porsches of Gérard Larrousse, the man who drove a Porsche 917 400 km hours in the Hunaudières.
The car is "full matching" and in its original configuration, as confirmed by its Heritage Porsche certificate.
Its CUP configuration gives it precedence for the track, although it has been used exclusively on the road since 2006.
The engine has barely been run in, the car has been serviced, its MOT is clean, and it will be delivered to its next buyer with a binder containing invoices and photos testifying to its achievements. The HISTOVEC of successive ownership changes is present, confirming the above story.
A true historic Porsche, road and track, now eligible for the VdeV among others.