The Porsche Carrera Cup, a success story!

The Porsche Carrera Cup, the best-known single-brand formula in the world of Grand Tourism racing, has existed since 1986! It was born in Germany, before the French version, the Porsche Carrera Cup France (PCCF for intimates), was introduced in 1987. Originally raced with Porsche 944 Turbo Cups, it brought the Porsche 911 into the spotlight in 1991. Since then, the rules have not changed, and the Porsche Carrera Cup France helps to bring out talented drivers, who often find themselves in the German manufacturer’s team during their career (Kevin Estre, Frédéric Makowiecki, Patrick Pilet, Julien Andlauer). Ascott Collection is today offering for sale a car that participated in the 1991 season, the very first of the Porsche 911s! This car, chassis WPOZZZ96ZMS409026, was entered for all of that season’s events.

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The Cup, the first racing version of the 964

Based on the Porsche 911 type 964, the Cup version was developed for the inaugural season of the Porsche Carrera Cup in 1990. In addition to an 11-kW boost in engine power to 195 kW (and 265 hp for the M64/03), the 964 Cup was naturally fitted with a welded safety bar for improved safety, bucket seats and 6-point belts. The chassis was modified and the car had a 55 mm lower ground clearance than the standard version.

To reduce weight, Porsche stripped down the interior, thanks to race engineer Roland Kussmaul. Door panels, soundproofing elements and all the frills were taken out. A special plastic intake chamber - replacing the original aluminum one - was designed to gain 1.2 kg! The weight dropped to 120kg, making it the lightest 964 compared to the other racing versions that followed. With a full tank, the 964 Cup weighed only 1,180 kg, compared to 1,210 for a 964 Carrera RS 3.8, 1,220 kg for the 964 Carrera RS 3.6 and 1,295 kg for the eccentric and rare 964 turbo Leichtbau.

To make it even livelier, the Cup version of the 964 had its gear ratios modified (G50/10 gearbox) while the steering wasn’t assisted. The car was fitted with a catalytic converter and an ABS system. This was the configuration in which chassis WPOZZZ96ZMS409026 was assembled.

In 1990 and 1991, Porsche produced a total of 172 Carrera Cups, showing that this Formula attracted many drivers from the time it was launched.

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The 1991 season of the Porsche Cup 964 chassis WPOZZZ96ZMS409026

At the beginning of April 1991, the Porsche Carrera Cup was the major novelty on the Nogaro circuit for the Easter Cups! The participants in this first edition included several well-known names, including Jean-Pierre Malcher, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Jean-Pierre Jarier. Jean-Pierre Malcher won the title, in fact, ahead of Dominique Dupuy and André Bourdon. A number of well-known drivers tried out the 964 Cup in one or more of the season’s races. This was the case with René Arnoux, Paul Belmondo, Alain Cudini, Pierre de Thoisy, Alain and Michel Ferté and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud.  

The Porsche 964 Carrera Cup now being offered for sale was driven throughout the Porsche Carrera Cup France season by François Fiat (of the Equipe L. Jeanjean). At the end of the championship, he was placed 20th, with 13 points.

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Owned for 16 years by the previous owner

François Fiat continued to race in this Porsche 964 Carrera Cup until at least 1994. It was then acquired by a certain Mr. Colin who kept it until 2003, when it was acquired by IMSA Performance in Rouen, the firm managed by Raymond Narac and Franck Rava. It was then sold to its current owner in 2019 after undergoing a major overhaul for a total of nearly 25,000 Euros (invoices available), carried out by IMSA Performance.

This Porsche 964 Carrera Cup is in a very good state of presentation and operation. It’s eligible for a very large number of historic races, in particular the Masters Endurance Legends in both Europe and the United States, The Gulf Classic series in Dubai, the Endurance Racing Legends by Peter Auto, and the Le Mans Classic.