1991 Porsche 964 Turbo – Classified of the Week

For those of a certain age and with a propensity for action packed blockbuster movies the sight of a ’90s Porsche 964 turbo will no doubt evoke memories of a certain dynamic duo. Furthermore, if we were to ask said group what their course of action would be should that aforementioned pair come for you then said group would know exactly what we were talking about. Yep, that’s right fellow bad boys, grab your Tropical Fruit Bubblicious (or some Skittles, depending on your poison) and let’s dive in.

With the latest Bad Boys movie currently in cinemas (and with a supporting role by another Porsche 911 – this time a 992 Turbo S in a nice little nod to the past) the original 964 from the first instalment of the popular franchise in ’95 has been a talking point here at Car & Classic. Another poster Porsche for a generation and coming hot on the heels of the iconic 930 Turbo, the 964 had some pretty big shoes to fill, but as it turns out they fitted perfectly and the 964 was a huge step forward for Porsche in terms of design and technology whilst still retaining that classic Porsche silhouette.

Notable updates over the 930 included a Tiptronic gearbox (the first 911 to feature one), four-wheel drive, power steering, ABS and revised suspension, as well as numerous and significant aesthetic improvements (we’re looking at you integrated bumpers) over Ernst Fuhrmann’s previous model that were implemented by the 964’s designer, Benjamin Dimson.

Produced between 1989 and 1993 the Porsche 964 was available with an array of engines and in various different incarnations. From the naturally aspirated Carrera’s with either two or all-wheel drive, to the later turbocharged cars that offered more thrills (and sometime, inevitably, spills).

And it’s one of those forced induction bad boys that we’re featuring today. Introduced in 1990 the first turbo cars utilised the same 3.3-litre engine as found in the 930, albeit with more power and less of that pesky lag that plagued the previous models. Weighing in with around 320bhp on tap it was, and still is a pretty rapid machine, able to dispatch 60mph from parked in under four-and-a-half seconds and make its way comfortably to over 170mph flat out. Perfectly suited to high speed Miami police chases then. And yes, we’re well aware that the car from the film is a 3.6 but with only an extra 40-odd horsepower that equates to less than a half a second 0-60 improvement the 3.3 is more than adequate to chase down many an AC Cobra…

The car available from us via the lovely bunch at Fast Classics in Surrey is a 3.3-litre and whilst it may be slightly down on power compared to its movie star counterpart we think it looks miles better with its Amazon Green Metallic paint job. The word stunning doesn’t quite seem to do it justice.

The fact that it was fully stripped and repainted last summer may have something to do with it but the colour itself is wonderfully complimentary, and slightly unusual, which we love. Oh and those 18” Speedline split rims from the later 3.6 are a perfect match. Complete with five-speed manual gearbox for proper driver engagement it also comes stacked with a whole bunch of factory options, including air conditioning and heated seats, complimented by a completely refreshed interior that saw new carpets, headlining, dash and door tops fitted.

It’s not just the exterior that’s had a refresh either. The M30 turbo engine was completely rebuilt by Northway Porsche at the back end of 2022, with numerous bits and bobs being replaced, including the main crank, big end and intermediate bearings, cam chains, guides, piston rings and rocker shafts. New ARP rod bolts and head studs were also installed meaning that this 964 is in rude health.

Originally supplied as a UK demonstrator the car has been fastidiously serviced and maintained and comes complete with 19 consecutive stamps in the original service book on top of the restoration work. As stated by Fast Classics: “a great deal of time and money has been invested to ensure the car has been sympathetically restored with all suspension, brakes, bearings and bushes removed and renewed. In addition to the full engine rebuild the Turbo and fuel injection system has been overhauled and finished with a new stainless exhaust”.

So, if you’re on the lookout for a gorgeously presented, mechanically sorted 964 Turbo then call off the search because this is the one folks. And yes, it does have cup holders…