Why does Porsche make so many variants of its models? From inception, the company has been responsive to the most enthusiastic of its customers, dialing up horsepower and dialing down weight when customers wanted to go racing. This tactic has generated Supers, Carreras, RSs, and all manner of niche-y low-production models. So when twenty copies of the unruly 911 SC/RS hit the market in 1984, Porsche was hearing that a middle ground – something between the thoroughbred SC and the bucking bronco SC/RS – would be desirable. The 1987 911 Carrera Club Sport was the result. Countless details including a lightweight fuel tank, hollow intake valves, a locking differential, short-throw shifter, and a “less is more” approach to the interior shaved 220 lbs from the curb weight and kicked performance up a notch. The Club Sport approach has transformed several models in the ensuing years. Here on craigslist is a 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport with an asking price of $78,500. This car is located in Newport, New Hampshire. We note that this same car sold in a no-reserve auction for $57,000 in January this year. Thanks to T.J. for the great tip!
The 968 was a compromise model to bridge a production gap from the 944 to the arrival of the Boxster. Built on the 944 platform, with a 237 hp 3.0-liter in-line four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission, the car was a commercial flop. Its styling was a throwback to the 928, and its performance was less than an eager market expected. Porsche decided to rescue the situation by waving the Club Sport wand over the car, reducing its weight by 220 lbs. At the same time, the suspension was lowered, and it was supplied with 17″ wheels (vs the 968 at 16″). Acceleration to sixty improved by about a second, to 5.6 seconds. The Sport Pack option, coded MO30, supplied stiffer suspension components, a limited-slip differential, and larger front disc brakes.
The interior took the brunt of the diet. Manually adjustable Recaro seats, minimal door cards, no back seat, no airbag in the steering wheel, no electric door locks or mirrors, no alarm, no radio, less insulation, and the thinnest carpet on the planet all subtracted ounces and pounds. Thanks to the absence of what the US considers safety equipment, the 968 Club Sport was never sold here. This car was delivered to Belgium and was exported to the US “recently”. It sells with no title. The driver’s seat has mild wear, more visible if you scrutinize the January auction listing. The odometer shows 67,744 km.
In fact, the January listing indicated that this car has seen a repaint in the original Speed Yellow. Back then, the wheels were silver, as shown above. They are now correctly painted body color. (Note the seat backs are also body color.) The prior description included this photo of a paint flaw; we don’t know if that’s been repaired. The panel fit bothers me. Meanwhile, the market is making vehement distinctions among 968 Club Sports offered for sale, dismissing lesser examples with imperfections and bidding better cars past $80k. A potential buyer for this car should invest in an in-person inspection, in my opinion. What do you think?
“Why does Porsche make so many variants of its models?”
Because they can, and they know their devoted followers will snap them up. Pretty cool business model.
And there’s this:
https://www.porsche.com/usa/accessoriesandservices/exclusive-manufaktur/personality/
Whatever. You. Want. It’s great!
Panel gaps look wide because the car is yellow; a darker color would hide them. With 911 prices going nuts, this could be a good way into a collectible, appreciating Porsche that is more fun to own than a normal 968. Keep it in good shape, and you’ll never lose money on it. A friend has one and loves it. A good, less expensive but older alternative is a 944 Turbo.
A money car and probably close to max price. The Porsche market pricing is slowing down unless it a GT2 or GT3. Bad news for recent buyers. Lets buy a 85 or 88 911 Turbo with 100k for miles and dump big money to bring it back up to standards. The older 911 as nice as they can (I ‘ve owned two) be expensive to maintain. Moving into water cooled one may be a better experience.
Probably one of the best driving cars around. Put the same modifications on our ’77 except for the engine which was a European ’58 Special Edition unit and had a complete ball with it. Nice car here.
I collect cars and have sold a few for significantly more than I bought them for, but even then didn’t profit from them because I enjoy restoring them (Paint, tires, bits and pieces, etc.). I recently sold a 1991 E34 BMW M5. The buyer haggled and haggled and lowballed and kept saying he would take it (making me leave other legit buyers hanging) and kept trying to get me to drop the price. It wasn’t until I told him to screw off that he came back at the original, more than fair for him, price we agreed on. This buyer, in less than a month, put it on the market and asked ME to help him sell it for $40,000 more, that would be more than twice what I sold it to him for. I am guessing that he wil probably get significantly more than he paid me for it and when I sold it to him, the car was in pristine condition and needed nothing. I realize that there will always be speculators who are just in it for the money, but that is just so annoying! This seller with this Porsche strikes me as one of those people. He’s probably done nothing to the car except hold onto it for a few months and is looking for a quick $20k extra. And there is always somebody that will eventually buy it at that price. It makes it exceedingly difficult for “enthusiasts” to stay enthused. I realize that this is sort of sour grapes, but as somebody who sells my cars to people that I think are goinmg to keep an enjoy them, this is extrememly frustrating.
It’s the same seller that had it up for auction on BAT. Maybe the sale fell through, or more likely, based on the asking price now, the seller reneged on the auction.
Something to think about, just a guess on my part.