What is a Porsche 964 RS America?

Buying a Classic Porsche at Half-Price - Part 2

1993 Porsche RS America - Guards Red

In part one of the series of buying a half-price air-cooled Porsche I identified a Porsche 964 911 RS America as the model on my shopping list. Since announcing this decision among Air Brigade members, I have been asked what is an RS America that commands such a high price.

The 964 RS America was a limited edition Porsche sold in 1993. It was originally going to be a one-year model but due to demand a quantity was also produced as 1994 models. A total of 701 RS Americas were produced and sold over the two years.

What was unique about the Porsche 964 RS America beyond it being a limited edition?

One Porsche seller calls these limited editions Cosmetic Carreras, but in this case I beg to differ as this model of the Porsche evokes the RS heritage and backs it up with the details of the original: special suspension, lightweight interior appointments and a special spoiler.

• Carries the famous RS badging and is created in the spirit of the original 1973 Porsche 911 RS

• Designed as a lightweight, stripped down version of the 911 as a real driver’s car

• Lightweight and rear-wheel drive only offered in red, white and black with optional colors of midnight blue and polar silver

• Features a fixed whale tail spoiler as opposed to the heavier movable spoiler of all other Porsche 964 variants

• A stripped interior featuring flat door panels from the European RS, a package shelf replacing the rear seats and cloth covered sport seats.

• The turbo M030 sport suspension and 17” wheels were standard

• Deleted to save weight were power steering, cruise control, sunroof, air conditioning, power mirrors and a radio

• Four options were available: Limited Slip Differential, air conditioning, radio and sunroof

• Porsche listed the weight as 2,954 pounds, a savings of 77 pounds over a stock Porsche 964 Carrera 2.

So, why do I want a Porsche 911 RS America?

My desire is basic: I want a unique air-cooled Porsche and driver’s car Porsche. A 1993 Porsche 911 RS America meets my criteria with the desirability of collectors and driving specs that will make it the ideal car for me to run the mountains. Now I need to just find that driver condition model at $60,000 to $70,000 instead of the Garage Queen collector car at $120,000 plus.

Follow my journey in this continuing series.

Looking for a Driver's Car - A 1993 RS America