Porsche 964 Carrera RS Book - by color (German)

After nearly two decades, Porsche revived the legendary Carrera RS name for the 1992 model year. Based on the Porsche 964 generation, the new 964 Carrera RS became a worthy successor to the iconic 1973 Carrera RS, combining lightweight engineering, motorsport DNA, and an uncompromising driving experience.

The story of the Porsche 964 Carrera RS, however, began two years earlier. Its roots can be traced back to the 1990 Porsche Carrera Cup race car, developed for Porsche's one-make racing series and serving as the foundation for one of the most celebrated air-cooled 911 models ever produced. The 964 Carrera Cup car from 1990 was not only the first car of the worldwide very successful Porsche Carrera Cup One-make series, it also kickstarted the new Carrera RS...

Comprehensive Reference Book 964 Carrera RS

The 964 Carrera RS book provides an in-depth exploration of the development of the Porsche 964 generation, the origins of the 1990 Carrera Cup race car, and the complete history of the Carrera RS itself.

Extensively researched and richly illustrated, the book covers every major variant of the 964 Carrera RS family, including:

• Porsche 964 Carrera RS Touring
• Porsche 964 Carrera RS Clubsport
• Porsche 964 RS 3.8
• Porsche 964 RSR 3.8
• Porsche Carrera Cup USA
• Porsche RS America

While the Carrera Cup USA and RS America models were not technically Carrera RS variants, they played a significant role in Porsche's early-1990s North American sales strategy and are therefore examined in detail alongside their European counterparts.

Porsche Enthusiasts and Collectors

Whether you are a Porsche collector, automotive historian, motorsport enthusiast, or air-cooled 911 fan, this book offers an authoritative and comprehensive account of one of the most desirable Porsche models ever built.

From the first Carrera Cup race cars to the rare RS 3.8 and RSR competition machines, 964 Carrera RS documents the complete evolution of Porsche's legendary lightweight 911 and preserves its history for future generations.

3.5 Years of Research

The creation of 964 Carrera RS spanned more than three and a half years of intensive research. During this period, author Christoph Mäder conducted interviews with more than 40 key figures and eyewitnesses who were directly involved in the development and design departments, worked on the assembly line, or organized motorsport activities of the Porsche 964 Carrera RS and the Porsche Carrera Cup program.

Among the interviewees were managers, designers, engineers, Porsche factory personnel, team principals, and racing drivers whose contributions helped shape the history of these extraordinary automobiles. These conversations generated more than 100 hours of exclusive interview material, providing valuable insights and previously unpublished information.

This exceptional body of source material elevates 964 Carrera RS far beyond a traditional automotive book. It is a comprehensive first-hand account that combines technical facts, personal recollections, and historical context to create the most complete picture possible of one of Porsche's most celebrated air-cooled models.

The research was further strengthened through the analysis of factory-issued Certificates of Authenticity and build sheets from numerous vehicles. These original documents contain detailed information relating to individual chassis numbers and provide valuable insight into production processes, specifications, optional equipment, and the technical characteristics of the various Carrera RS derivatives.

Additional research included the examination of original source material such as internal Porsche communications, technical documentation, and contemporary records from the period. Equally important was the study of original factory parts catalogues, whose detailed analysis revealed numerous model-specific and production-year-specific characteristics of the Carrera RS, RS 3.8, and related variants.

Particularly valuable were a large number of previously unpublished photographs from Werk 2 in Zuffenhausen, documenting the assembly of the Porsche 964 Carrera RS. These rare images offer unique behind-the-scenes access to the production process and reveal details that were never captured in official press material or contemporary publications.

The combination of eyewitness interviews, factory records, build sheets, technical documentation, original parts catalogues, and previously unpublished photography has made it possible to reconstruct the history and development of the Porsche 964 Carrera RS with an unprecedented level of accuracy and detail.

Craftsmanship and Individualization

The design and production of 964 Carrera RS follow the same philosophy that made the Porsche 964 Carrera RS itself an icon: uncompromising quality, engineering precision, and meticulous attention to detail. From the outset, the objective was not only to document the car accurately but also to create a book that reflects its significance through its physical form.

The book's color schemes are inspired by the original design concepts developed by Porsche's design studio for the Carrera RS. This creates a direct visual connection between the publication and the vehicle.

With the exception of the premium paper stock sourced from Gothenburg, Sweden, the book was entirely produced in Germany. Its manufacture involved three specialized printing companies, an industrial bookbinder, and a traditional bookbinding workshop. The collaboration between these carefully selected partners has resulted in a publication distinguished not only by its content but also by its exceptional production quality.

Like the Porsche 964 Carrera RS itself, every copy of the book is strictly limited and individually numbered. It is available in German, English, and French editions, as well as in two distinct specifications. While this variety may initially seem complex, it gives collectors and enthusiasts the freedom to configure their copy according to their personal preferences—much like Porsche customers selecting colors, equipment, and options in the car configurator.

The rarer Special Edition features a premium linen binding and is available in four color combinations. Each version reflects the ambition to create a publication that is not merely a reference book, but a collectible object in its own right.

Just as the Porsche 964 Carrera RS was conceived as a highly focused driver's car, 964 Carrera RS has been created as a highly focused collector's book—combining authoritative research, exceptional craftsmanship, and enduring value in a single publication.

Paint to sample (PTS) Special Edition

In total only 964 examples are linen-bound. Of these 964 copies, 300 books are Rubystone Red, 300 Maritime Blue, 200 Pearlgray, and 164 Green. The ratio between German and English books are 40 to 60%. This means that only 120 German copies are linen-bound in Rubystone Red (and 180 in English), only 80 German copies are linen-bound Pearl-gray etc.