By the mid-1980s, it became apparent that the design of the then-current Porsche 911, penned back in 1974, was getting long in its teeth. Ever increasing demands on safety, style, emission regulations, but also on the economical aspects of manufaturing the car, resulted in the Porsche 964, built from 1989 through the end of 1993, when it would be replaced by the 993, the very model that closed the chapter of air-cooled Porsche 911s for good.
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Almost all-new under its skin, the 964 was the last of the Porsche 911s that looked like a classic Porsche 911. Designed by Benjamin Dimson and powered by the superior 3.6-Liter engine, it featured smooth bumpers and all the bells and whistles we've come to expect from a car of this caliber, including anti-lock-brakes and power steering, both standard and a first for Porsche. For those customers that felt driving their Porsche to the slopes in Aspen or St. Moritz, even 4-wheel-drive was available, as was a new automatic transmission, the tiptronic.
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Originally received with scepticism by the more traditional-minded clientele, now, twenty-plus-years later, most Porsche aficionados realize the importance of the 964 and appreciate the opportunity to own a classic, 911-style car blessed with modern mechanicals.
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The 1994 Porsche 911 C2 Cabriolet prominently featured here, VIN *WP0CB2969RS460172*, is a stellar example of the breed. Having traveled a mere 56,694 miles in 20 years, it was sold new on February 24, 1994 at Copans Motors in Pompano Beach, relocating to California shortly thereafter. The 1994 VIN might indicate that this example could be one of the 138 so-called M718 cars built, which would make it an absolute rarity, and very collectible as one of the last 964s manufactured!
As shown above, the car comes with complete books and service records.
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The maintenance booklet displays entries at regular intervals (043 -- 2,691 -- 9,313 -- 22,847 -- 30,000 -- 44,300 miles) for servicing.
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Clean and clear Carfax -- the car successfully passed the emissions inspection 13 times in 20 years!
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Let's now scrutinize this low-mileage Porsche very closely, starting up front with the trunk, where neglect often manifests itself first. Here, everything appears 100% perfect, with working underhood lights and hood struts, pristine trunk carpeting, and a complete, unused tool roll.
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You could eat off of the bare trunk floor, it's that clean!
Note unused inflatable spare and black plastic box containing the -- equally unused -- tire compressor.
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964's undercarriage was made more aerodynamic through the use of plastic belly pans. There's no corrosion to be found anywhere. Engine under-tray was removed to take these photos, however, it has been re-installed. There are no worrisome leaks. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Photos above show the undercarriage in all its unadulterated glory, down to remnants of the original Cosmoline protective wax.
Make sure you enlarge pix to their full size by clicking on them.
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Cab's coachwork is remarkably clean and straight, as you would expect from a pampered, low-mileage specimen. Thee are no dings, dents, or scratches. The car is rust free.
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By 1994, a power convertible top was standard equipment. This one's in fabulous condition, with a crystal clear back window, and works flawlessly. A black canvas tonneau cover is also included.
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Smooth and glossy Slate Gray Metallic (factory code 23F Schiefermetallic) is a seldom-seen but very desirable finish, as it is one of the "classic" Porsche colors. We are pleased to state that we have electronically measured the paint thickness on this 964 and can confirm it as all original, applied at the factory; another big plus for the collector who demands the best and most authentic example!
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Immaculate, correctly-finished, optional Cup Design wheels are shod with like-new Bridgestone Potenza RE11 "Extreme Performance Summer" supertires of the sizes 205/55-16 and 225/50-16, respectively.
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Moving on to the cockpit, we are always delighted by Porsche's classic, pleasing design. Although far more luxurious than its ancestor, the long hood 911, featuring cruise control, power windows, seats, mirrors and locks, as well as A/C (everything works, of course), the 964 interior still emanates a business-like ambiance.
Note dual airbags.
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Only slightly updated from earlier models, the iconic 911 instruments now come with more than a dozen integrated warning lights, forcing even the most hard-core 911 pilot to consult the owner's manual to decipher their meaning. All of these warning lights work, and none stay on once the car runs -- a very good sign!
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Front seat design has not changed much since the days of the 911SC, however, the immaculate, Cashmere Beige leather on the optional Comfort Seats is a special touch, a nice contrast to the Slate Gray exterior.
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Carpeting is also Cashmere Beige and looks like new. Rear seatlets have been uninstalled by a previous owner, saving a little weight and creating a little more space, though even vertically challenged humans would have a hard time getting comfortable here, especially with the top up!
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All of the lights work, including the backup lights and license plate lights. Did you notice the cool vanity license plate "XCELLENCE," ordered by the enthusiast owner? It's included in the sale.
Check out the retractable rear spoiler, integrated with the engine lid grille.
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Engine compartment is toothbrush clean, just like the remainder of the car.
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The 3.6-Liter Boxer motor boasts of 250 horsepower and is said to propel the manually-shifted 964 from 0-60mph in less than 6 seconds. This particular, matching numbers motor, #62R00631, is in a perfect state of tune. As inspected by our local Porsche specialist, Jason @ RS Enterprises, there are absolutely no issues with the dual distributors, nor are there any other concerns of a mechanical nature.
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Monday, September 15, was another bright and sunny day here in our quaint mission town of San Buenaventura. Surfers were surfing, black gold was pumped out of the fertile ground, and young avocado trees were planted on the hillsides. We decided to embark on a pleasant test drive in our 964 Cab.
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And pleasant it was! Car starts, runs, drives, shifts, handles, and brakes with aplomb. Due perhaps to its aerodynamically optimized 12-blade cooling fan, it sounds almost like a turboprop airplane, very pleasing to the sports car driver's ear. The leather seats offer good support while still being very comfortable, the seating position is unrivalled, all the controls are easy to master. Power rack-and-pinion steering is a delight, as is ABS braking. Porsche substantially revised the 964's suspension, replacing the torsion bars with coil springs and shock absorbers, to very good effect.
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A sunny day, light traffic, Frank Sinatra coming from the Blaupunkt Honolulu CD-50 radio -- it doesn't get much better than this!
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Returning home, we are in love with the 964. In almost every regard, this model constitutes such an improvement over the 911 Carrera!
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Here it is, a modern collectible of the highest order, one of the last and most-developed 964s built. Fully documented, fitted with the preferred manual transmission and an utterly desirable color combination, this low-mileage, air-cooled gem will look good in the driveway or garage of even the most picky collector.
Addendum:
We sold this fabulous Porsche in Fall of 2014.
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