1996 Porsche 911 Cup 3.8 RSR: The Ultimate Air-Cooled Racer

1996 Porsche 911 Cup 3.8 RSR: The Ultimate Air-Cooled Racer

The 1996 Porsche 911 Cup 3.8 RSR represents the pinnacle of Porsche’s air-cooled racing legacy, marking the end of an era that began with the iconic Carrera RS 2.7. This final iteration of the air-cooled, naturally aspirated 911 racecar was built on the new 993 Carrera 2 platform and drew inspiration from the twin-turbocharged GT2.

Design and Specifications:

  • Engine and Performance: Equipped with a 3.8-liter engine delivering around 350 horsepower, the 911 Cup 3.8 RSR was tailored for endurance racing. Buyers had several engine tuning options to suit various competition requirements.
  • Features and Upgrades: The car includes a six-speed manual transaxle, a full Matter roll cage, riveted GRP fender flares, Turnwald “Clubsport” spoilers, Lexan windows, an aluminum hood, and two-way adjustable Billstein suspension.
  • Production: Fewer than 50 units were produced before the transition to the water-cooled 996 model.

Racing History:

  • Initial Purchase: Chassis 398074 was ordered by American racer Max Schmidt in the summer of 1996 and imported to the U.S. in December 1996.
  • Endurance Racing Career: The car debuted at the 24 Hours of Daytona on February 2, 1997, where it finished 21st overall. It continued to race extensively, with notable performances including a 22nd place finish at the 2000 Daytona, moving up 57 positions from its starting place.
  • Upgrades and Maintenance: Schmidt preemptively ordered performance upgrades and the car received significant tuning, including a $15,000 engine and transmission rebuild in 2002.

Current Status:

  • Ownership: Acquired by its second owner in 2013, the RSR has been part of a private collection and has not raced since.
  • Condition: The car retains many factory body panels and is reported to be in race-ready condition with no serious accidents. It stands out as one of the few factory Black examples, adding to its collectability.
  • Documentation: Includes extensive race history, performance reports, service invoices, factory correspondence, and a selection of spare parts.

Price: $650,000 – $750,000 USD | Offered Without Reserve

This 1996 Porsche 911 Cup 3.8 RSR offers a rare opportunity to own a significant piece of Porsche’s racing heritage, perfect for display or a triumphant return to the track.

Source: rmsothebys.com
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