Vehicle Description
Chassis No. WP0AC2960RS480444
Engine No. 61R01027
In 1993, with the assembly line near Stuttgart preparing to tool up
production for the new 993, Porsche found itself with just over six
dozen new 964 Turbos still on hand and unordered. These 964s were
sent to Porsche Exclusive where they would be carefully upgraded to
a newly-created "Turbo S" specification, giving us one of the most
powerful and exotic air-cooled, rear-wheel-drive 911s ever created.
Along with numerous bodywork upgrades that included a
highly-restyled front fascia, 935-like "Flat nose" fenders with
pop-up headlights, widened rocker-panel side skirts, and other
items which would differentiate them from lesser 964 Turbos, these
"S" variants were fitted with special engine option X88. The output
of the SOHC flat-six powerplant was boosted to an impressive 385 hp
at 5750 rpm, an improvement of 25 horses over the standard Turbo.
Torque grew to 384 foot-pounds, which arrived lower in the rev
range to increase tractability. This engine variant, designated
M64/50S, received new cylinder heads that gave better airflow,
higher-capacity fuel injectors, a larger single KKK turbocharger
that moved more air, a bigger intercooler, and camshafts with
greater lift and longer duration. The new Turbo S coupes retained
the 964's well-regarded G50 five-speed transaxle along with a
limited-slip ZF differential but received a larger and stronger
clutch package. Underneath, these special coupes kept their Turbo
suspension with large anti-roll bars and "Big Red" four-wheel disc
brakes, but their ride height was further reduced to both help
improve handling and lend a race-car-like appearance. Handsome
18-inch diameter staggered-width "Speedline for Porsche"
three-piece polished alloy wheels shod with appropriate
high-performance rubber were part of the package.
The "Flachbau" nose of the Turbo S was inspired by Porsche's hugely
successful 935 racing program. Porsche was no doubt delighted when
the FIA imposed what would be called the "Silhouette" formula which
addressed the external shape of production-based racing cars. It
meant that the frontal aspect of its 911-derived machinery could be
improved aerodynamically, thus reducing drag and allowing higher
top speeds. Thus the turbocharged 934, with widened fenders and a
large rear wing but still fitted with Porsche's very recognizable
front fenders and upright round headlights, soon evolved into the
935. After extensive wind tunnel testing, this new racer benefitted
from a drastic nose job. Those tall front fenders, a hallmark of
Porsche 911s since 1963, were now trimmed to match the height of
the front trunk lid. Rectangular headlamps and driving lights were
incorporated into a flush vertical air dam. The result was both
purposeful and very efficient. The 935 went on to become dominant
in IMSA and GT racing world-wide in the mid-1980s.
The 935's design caught the eye of some wealthy Porsche owners who
had the company custom-build a small number of 911 Turbos with
935-like body panels including the "flat-nose" front end. Because
these new parts were all hand-made, the conversions were very
expensive. Still, over the next few years the orders kept coming
and Porsche recognized the profit potential of a special option. It
tasked Porsche Exclusive with creating the new "Flachbau" package.
Because the very low headlamps of the 935 were not road-legal,
Porsche fitted round pop-up lights from the 968 in the upper
surface of the fenders.
To increase marketability in various countries, Porsche assigned
three different option numbers to these flat-nose cars, designating
39 of them for US sale as X85, 10 for Japan as X83, and the
remaining 27 "Rest-of-World" examples as X84. Interestingly, 17
Turbo S coupes were built with standard Turbo front fenders and
headlights, these being known as "Package" cars. Many of the
Japanese-market X83s would eventually be brought to the United
States.
This rare and very desirable one-year-only US-specification 1994
Porsche 964 Turbo S "Flachbau" coupe is among those fitted with the
X88 "Enhanced Power Option" described above. Finished in enticing
"Triple Black" (Paint, seat upholstery/carpeting, and headliner),
this stunning automobile left the factory on 10 December 1993 and
was delivered to its first owner, a Massachusetts resident, on 24
March 1994 through Hendrick Porsche in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The original window sticker shows this 964 Turbo was equipped with
the "S" wide-body package, a unique front spoiler, an electric
sliding sunroof, air conditioning and automatic climate control,
central locking, an alarm system, rear window wiper, heated
headlamp washers, and a stereophonic entertainment system with an
80-watt amplifier and eight speakers. This established a base MSRP
of $99,000. The addition of the $60,000 Flachbau conversion
package, a full leather interior, heated sports seats, and a
six-disc CD changer mounted in the front trunk compartment brought
the retail price to a hefty $165,301.
This very special 964 Turbo S Flachbau has been owned by a list of
notable late model Porsche collectors, among them Jerry Seinfeld,
Ray Joseph, and the present owner, a well-known West Coast
collector. The Flachbau remained in its original owner's care for
15 years, remarkably accruing a mere 3,662 miles over that period.
During Seinfeld's brief ownership in 2010, Beverly Hills Porsche
performed a "Low mileage service" which included an oil change
(Mobil 1) with a new filter, a new air filter, a new engine V-belt,
a new battery, and replacement of other degradable items such as
windshield wiper blades. The Turbo S was then sold to Houston,
Texas-based Porsche enthusiast Ray Joseph who retained it for a
number of years before ultimately relenting and selling it to the
consignor, who had diligently pursued the acquisition of this
particular example for some time.
Supplied with its original window sticker from Hendrick Porsche,
and all its correct manuals, collapsible spare tire and inflator,
this magnificent Turbo S "Flachbau" represents the pinnacle of 964
design and power, combining effortless performance and German
luxury. It is certain to be a crown jewel in any serious Porsche
collection.
