1992 Porsche 911 Type 964 Carrera Cup

• Rare competition version
• Attractive livery of Mika Hakkinen's Carrera Cup car
• Recent professional restoration (dossier available)

The arrival in 1989 of the Type 964 version of the 911 gave rise to the Carrera Cup model and the Cup Championship, first held in Germany in 1990. Representing a major step forward for the 911, the new Carrera 4 and Carrera 2 - coded named '964' - had been launched in 1989, the former marking the first time that four-wheel drive had been seen on a series-production 911. Face-lifted but retaining that familiar shape, the Carreras had been given a more extensive work-over mechanically, 87% of parts being claimed as entirely new. Although the normally aspirated duo shared the same 3.6-litre, 247bhp, flat-six engine, the Turbo initially kept its existing 3.3-litre unit. Power-assisted steering (another 911 'first'), anti-lock brakes and a five-speed manual transmission were standard, with the Tiptronic auto 'box a Carrera 2-only option.

Overseeing the Carrera Cup project was former racing driver and Operations Manager of the Weissach Development Centre, Herbert Linge, who was adamant that the Cup concept be applied to the 911 and not one of Porsche's other models. The Carrera 4 was dismissed as being unsuitable for development as a racer, so that left the Carrera 2.

Porsche Motorsport racing engineer Roland Kussmaul modified the Carrera 2 by removing the interior; installing a Matter roll cage; providing a special lightweight induction chamber; modified exhaust system; aluminium bonnet; a Recaro racing seat; unique Speedline 8" and 9.5"x17" lightweight alloy wheels; and much more. The road car's ABS was retained, albeit adapted for racing. These modifications took the dry weight down to 1,120kg, 230kg lighter than stock. The 3.6-litre 260bhp M64/01 twin-plug engine was blueprinted, producing a maximum of 260bhp, and the Cup also featured revised gear ratios; and a limited-slip differential; providing drivers with a refined and rapid racing car: the M001 Type 964 Cup. The suspension too was modified, featuring shorter and stiffer springs and an adjustable anti-toll bar.

Teams wishing to participate in the Cup had to pay a DM25,000 refundable deposit as a sign of their commitment to the series, which in 1990 consisted of 10 rounds, overall victory going to Olaf Manthey that year. In 1991 the Carrera Cup was again run over 10 rounds, three of which supported rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship. Fields of, typically, some 40 cars were the norm, with participants drawn from the ranks of both professional and amateur drivers. The 1991 title went to Mercedes DTM works driver Roland Asch. As popular as ever, the Porsche Carrera Cup continues to enjoy strong support all over the world.

This particular car took part in several standalone Porsche Carrera Cup races with various guest
drivers, but it does not have a technical passport or a verified race history. (It
still retains a 1993 verification seal on the ECU, both as a sticker and as a metal
tag.) The car showed signs of racing incidents from its competition period, all of which were professionally repaired.

According to the accompanying Porsche Technical certificate (issued by Porsche Madrid), this 911 Carrera Cup left he factory on 28th January 1992 and was delivered to a German client. The original specification was paint in P5 (Grand Prix White) with a black and red vinyl interior. Further options include a limited slip differential, 17" Cup wheels, airbag delete, etc.

In 1994, the Porsche was registered for road use, and in 1999 it arrived in Spain where it
continued to be used on the road and for occasional 'track day' events. The 911 was de-registered in 2007.

The car has just undergone a comprehensive restoration in Spain by specialists SMC Motorsport, as documented in the accompanying dossier, and it now comes with a Porsche Classic Technical Certificate. The photographs of the restoration are well worth perusing.

This example has the same livery as that with which Mika Hakkinen won the Porsche Carrera Cup race at Monaco in 1993.