Time to rewind to 1989 and the 964 evolution of the 911, which even then was 26-years old. This was really the first major change (impact bumpers aside) since the icon’s 1963 debut. Visually new front and rear aprons, plus body-smoothing side skirts, added a strikingly modern take that contributed considerably to aero efficiency, the active retractable rear wing being a particular talking point, whilst the traditional Fuchs wheels had flown..
The biggest changes however, were technical, with Porsche claiming that the 964 was an 87% improvement over the outgoing model. For starters, they had joined the 4-wheel drive crew, with the launch model 964 being the Carrera 4, which could be considered to be trickle down technology from the mighty 959. Suspension wise, torsion bars gave way to more conventional MacPherson struts.
The flat-six grew to 3.6-litres and 250bhp, a useful 20bhp up on the outgoing Carrera 3.2. Twin-plug cylinder heads were a nod to the environment and a cleaner, more powerful fuel burn. The G50 transmission was retained, itself having arrived late in the Carrera 3.2s tenure.
The interior, was familiar 911 territory, but now with an elevated transmission tunnel – 959-style – to accommodate the propshaft for the 4wd models. This in turn allowed for a shorter shifter, rather than the previous wand-like lever. Ventilation was vastly improved and for the first-time, power steering was introduced.
As surely as night follows day, the enthusiasts favourite 964 Carrera 2 followed, together with Cabriolet and Targa versions and the mighty Turbo and the 964 RS.
Replaced in 1993 by the 993, the 964’s star shone bright for a relatively brief time. It then spent some time in the doldrums, sandwiched between the earlier torsion bar cars and the 993 in terms of desirability, before enthusiasts and the market woke up to the 964s strengths, perhaps also helped along by its adoption as a donor for restomod creations. Indeed, here at Paul Stephens, we were one of the first to start developing a retro 911 based on the 964 in 2002, but that’s another story…
GREEN WITH ENVY
Although not retro or strictly speaking resto, this stunning Amazon Green 964 Carrera 2, is a PS Works programme restoration, and a rather special one at that.
Being LHD, it has a led a rather cosmopolitan life. First registered at Porsche Zentrum Dortmund in Oct 1991, its first owner used it between his native Germany and travelling into Italy. It was imported into the UK in 2001 and was sold by PS in 2018 to its current owner, who initially used it in the UK before moving to France. It was then used as everyday business transport in the Provence region, commuting from vineyard to vineyard, which all sounds pretty idyllic!
Well looked after and well maintained, with a service book stamped with European and UK Porsche specialist stamps and a thick stack of corresponding invoices, time never the less waits for no Porsche and in 2019, the decision was made for a total refresh. Which is where this PS Works project begins.
All options were considered, but after much deliberation, an enhanced version of the standard 964 C2 was settled on. Which is to say a car that retains the original 964 look and ethos, but with modernising touches. But how far to go? A full nut and bolt resto was deemed unnecessary for this still very solid car, but a full bare metal repaint in its stunning and really quite rare Amazon Green was a given, which was then wrapped in a full body paint protection film, virtually unnoticeable until pointed out. The engine was resealed to cure oil leaks and fully detailed including billet cam covers for longevity whilst the usual rust tinware and untidy ancillaries were either replaced with new or carefully restored. A recent cylinder leakage check confirms it is still in rude health with all six readings under 5%. The gearbox was also stripped, checked and resealed before being mated back to the engine with a new clutch and flywheel. Finally, it was fitted with a custom exhaust which allows for quiet, unobtrusive cruising, yet produces a glorious guttural sound when the accelerator is pushed to the floor.
New brake discs and rebuilt calipers were fitted all round and the 17” cup wheels restored and painted in the correct OE finish. If anything was removed, it was replaced with new fixings etc, you can’t put the old door catches back on to a freshly painted bodyshell, for example.
The contrasting grey interior was restored and rejuvenated with all those irritating rattles and squeaks of an older car carefully chased out. The leather of the deep bolstered, electrically adjusted Sports seats renovated to present very close to the day they were produced. Typically, being a German spec 964, the air-con was a popular upgrade and very welcome, but again full overhauled as was the HVAC unit. It’s all in the details and this 964 now presents very closely to a full restoration. Its flawless paintwork has been enhanced further with new lighting all round and the yellow lens fitted to the modern LED headlamps certainly gives this 964 a chic French vibe.
Modern enhancements continued with a Porsche Classic DAB head unit fitted with new upgraded speakers carefully concealed behind the original grills and the finishing/modernising touch? Underpinning this 964 C2 is a Tractive active suspension set-up.
Paul and the team at PS have been instrumental in developing this electronic active suspension kit for the purposes of PS’ own projects. Think aftermarket Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), with millisecond fast damping adjustment or Dynamic Damping Adjustment (DDA) as Tractive call it.
Of the systems available we opted for the Tractive Touring ACE (Active Controlled Electronic), with DDA built into each electronic damper and utilising the OE top mounts, with matched Eibach springs. The ACE/DDA combo allows control of front and rear damping, mid corner roll and pitch during corner entry. Five different damper setting/options can be programmed and stored, each available with a quick turn of the five-way rotary knob. The permutations are almost endless, but think comfort to track, with variations in between, in this instance.
ON THE ROAD
Does it work? It certainly does. Suspension is obviously a personal thing, but the five settings give a range of options from a Citroen BX like magic carpet ride 1 to a full-on track-stiff 5. In between is the sweet spot for UK roads absorbing the gnarliest of tarmac and B-road chaos with ease. It feels like a 911, but one that’s skipped a few generations, such is the modernity of ride and handling.
Driving this 964 is an interactive, immersive experience enhanced by compact dimensions. Where modern Porsches have to breathe in, the snake-hipped 964 slips through and makes its escape, with sight lines guided by the trad upright front wings.
The standard 250 BHP sounds a bit light against modern day power figures, but the 3.6-litre is mighty in its motivation, with road friendly torque and just enough top-end to excite. Top speed is 161mph, whilst 0-60mph in 5.7 secs isn’t too shabby, even by today’s standards. The refurbished gearbox is a delight, with that distinctive throw and mechanically damped feel.
And all this is orchestrated from Porsche’s best seat in the house: The deep-winged Recaro Sports seat. The interior is as compact as the 1963 original, so cosying up to your passenger is also part of the experience.
IN SUMMARY
A different approach to Porsche modernising and modifying? We are big fans of restomod 911s, but do wonder if this genre has peaked. Taking the standard machine and subtly updating or enhancing seems to be the grown- up path now and this 964 epitomises what can be achieved when carefully executed today. An immaculate classic 911 that can now be used in place of new a 992 for a daily or pedalled in anger with confidence for that weekend fix.
