Monterey is in full swing, Porsche has just announced a new 50 Years of Turbo special edition of the 911, and auction results are starting to come in. Following in the series of Good Find Friday posts dedicated to Porsche’s iconic turbo-charged models, this week’s feature car is the Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6.

The 911’s first forced-induction model, the 930 Turbo, was highlighted in our first week of 50 Years of Turbo posts. The 930 was sold in the United States from 1976 to 1979, with emissions regulations halting sales in the US and Japan starting in 1980. The model came back to the U.S. in 1986 with more power and new Targa and Cabriolet options.

In 1989, the G-body Porsche 911 was replaced by the 964-generation car, making it the last year for the 930. The model bowed out with a 3.3-liter engine and G50 transmission making it perhaps the best of the 930 line.

The Porsche 964 Turbo, launched in 1990, represents a significant technical advancement in the 911 series, integrating modern engineering with the marque’s iconic design. It initially featured a 3.3-liter turbocharged flat-six engine, delivering 315 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. This powerplant, coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission, propels the 964 Turbo from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 168 mph.

Chassis dynamics are a highlight of the 964 Turbo, thanks to its updated suspension system, featuring MacPherson struts at the front and an independent semi-trailing arm setup at the rear. The vehicle’s aerodynamics, including the prominent rear wing and widened fenders, are not just aesthetic but functional, contributing to increased downforce and stability at high speeds.

Today’s Good Find Friday car is a 1993 Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 on offer from Gooding & Company at their Monterey Auction on August 17th, 2024. This second-gen 964 Turbo features the improved 3.6-liter engine, and is painted in a fetching combo of Cobalt Blue metallic with a black leather interior.

Exterior features of the 964 Turbo included a wider body with enlarged fender flares compared to the standard bodied 964, a large rear wing adopted from the 930 model, and dual outlet exhausts. Of technical interest: the left tailpipe functions only when the boost-pressure valve is open.

With approximately 40,000 kilometers (25,000 miles) on the odometer, the exterior condition of this particular 964 Turbo is appropriately excellent, with fantastic original paint showing little to no flaws. Rubber and trim appear equally excellent, as do the glass and signal lenses.

The interior of the car is equally pristine, appearing as new. Leather seating surfaces, door panels and leather-covered dash and centered console cocoon you in soft luxury. It’s a slight shame the car doesn’t feature the more deeply bolstered sport seats, but ingress and egress should be easier with the standard buckets. 

This car is a “rest-of-the-world” example and—based on the identification panels and sticker on the window—hails from Japan. Mizwa was the sole importer and dealer of Porsche automobiles prior to the brand’s setting up of an official presence on the islands.

The suspension of a 964 was thoroughly modern, being fully redesigned to utilize coil springs on all four corners and MacPherson struts up front. In the rear, a semi-trailing arm suspension was carried over from previous generations. Red brake calipers signify that this is indeed a second-gen Turbo.

The three-piece Speedline wheels are pristine in their silver finish—a look I prefer to the overly flashy chrome versions.

The engine bay is another chapter in the same story of fine condition, with the large turbo intercooler and air conditioning compressor occupying the vast majority of visual space. The 3.6-liter M94 engine just peeks out from underneath, and delivers 355 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The neck snapping turbo lag of the previous model has been softened with more smooth power delivery from the 3.6.

Updated only with KW coil-overs and a desirable Porsche Classic Radio with GPS and CarPlay, this is a beautiful example of a rare and special Porsche 911.

There are more expensive models of the 964 Turbo than the example on offer by Gooding & Company in Monterey. The Turbo S was truly exclusive and was even available with a svelte Flachbau front end design. Those cars typically trade in 7-figure territory. Even more exclusive is the Turbo S Lightweight, which rarely comes to market with only 3 sold publicly in the last 3 years. So how much is a perfect 964 Turbo worth?

The auction house has estimated this car at $650,000-800,000, but the car will sell no matter what as it’s being sold with no reserve. I find that rather incredible, especially given the highest recorded sale in the last 4 years was $593,000. That was a “Bad Boys” spec 964 Turbo sold by RM Sotheby’s back in March at their Miami auction—a car with a very different aura.

I’d rate this car as a condition 2, somewhat conservatively as there are no photos of the underside of the car to show its cleanliness and condition. Values are on the rise for this generation of 964, which works in its favor. Based on sales so far in Monterey, cars are selling, but not at earth-shaking prices and often under the low estimate.

My prediction is a result in the lower end of the estimate range, if it even reaches that height. Regardless of the price paid, the buyer is getting one fabulous 911.

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also provide importation services. Give us a call or drop us a line!