Porsche 964 Carrera RS
After almost two decades, Porsche resurrected the Carrera RS name in the 1992 model year. Based on the 911 generation 964, a more than worthy successor to the Carrera RS from 1973 was created. However, the background story of the 964 Carrera RS began two years earlier with the Carrera Cup car from 1990.
The book 964 Carrera RS sheds light on the origin of the 964 generation as well as the Carrera Cup 1990, the Carrera RS and its derivatives: Touring, Clubsport, RS/RSR 3.8 as well as the Carrera Cup USA and the RS America, although neither of the latter is strictly speaking a Carrera RS.
With his previous books ( Porsche 911R and Porsche 911 GT2) , the author Christoph Mäder set the bar real high. When our preproduction copy (in German) of the brandnew Porsche 964 Carrera RS book arrived, our expectations were truly high. And after a deep dive in the book, we must admit our expectations are completely fullfilled. We are aware that there may be some very slight differences between the preproduction copy we received and the final version. But these differences are usually very small and little.
In 16 chapters, Mäder dives into the complete history of the Porsche 964 Carrera RS. And he goes real deep, as he even starts in the early 1980s when Porsche’s management barely saw a future in the Porsche 911 and considered a production stop for the icon. The development of a 4wheel drive Porsche 911, influenced by the rally successes of the Audi 4wheel drive in 1981, the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet study presented at the 1981 IAA, the supercar Porsche 959 as pioneer.. all have to do in one way or another with the 964 and therefore the 964 Carrera RS. The first Porsche 964 was presented to the press during the Paris Auto Show in September 1988. In its attempts to revive gentleman motorsport, Porsche started with the 964 Cup Car, which was based on the 964 Carrera 2. Later, the Porsche 964 Carrera RS was based on the Cup car, that during its final seasons (1993 and 1994) even inherited modifications from the production Porsche 964 Carrera RS.
The 964 Cup cars
The author spends a separate chapter on each of the different generations of the 964 Cup cars. The main characteristics of the specific model are explained in detail, and thoroughly documented with detailed pictures. Special attention goes to bodywork, engine, chassis, equipment. On top of that, you’ll learn all about the Carrera Cup Seasons, once again with dozens of pictures. The icing on the cake in the Carrera Cup Chapters is the list of chassisnumbers with more detailed information about that particular chassis.
Production process, equipment and colors
Next to a detailed chapter on the production process of the 964 Carrera RS and derivatives, the author spends a complete chapter on the equimpent and colors of the 964 Carrera RS. There are some interesting statistics, illustrated with great graphs, in the book representing the percentage/numbers of cars as they were delivered by the factory. To be sure the colors are exactly in the book, as they are in reality, the author had a different printing process for these pages. Just that effort proves the level of detail and perfectionism the book comes with. And that level of detail, for which the books by Christoph Mäder are known, makes the Porsche 964 Carrera RS as another reference that will be used a lot by dealers and restorers world wide.
Touring and Clubsport
The Porsche 964 Carrera RS was available both in a Touring and a Clubsport model. Purists know these variants better as the M002 and M003. The author even spends a separate chapter on these quite rare models of the 964 Carrera RS. The differences between the standard RS and the Touring or Clubsport are explained and illustrated with detailed pictures. O ourse, each chassis number is listed with the option codes and color as it left the factory. And even though the cars are unfamiliar to most Porsche fans, you’ll find a chapter on the 964 Carrera RS M003 Macau, used in the Carrera Cup Asia back in the days.
More model variants of the 964 Carrera RS are explored in the book, as you can find out in the chapters listed underneath. And all of these will grab your attention, and tell you all you need to know about this fantastic car.
The 16 Chapters of the 964 Carrera RS book
- Generation 964
- Carrera 2 Cup (M700) 1990
- Carrera Cup (M001) 1991
- Carrera Cup (M001) 1992
- Carrera RS 1992
- Production
- Equipment and colors
- Carrera RS Touring (M002) 1992
- Carrera RS Clubsport (M003) 1992
- Carrera RS Clubsport (M003) Macau 1992
- Carrera RS 3.8 1993
- Carrera RSR 3.8 1993
- Carrera 4 Lightweight 1991
- Carrera Cup USA 1992
- RS America 1993
- Technical Data
Conclusion
964 Carrera RS by Christoph Mäder & Kerry Morse is a landmark volume for any serious Porsche library. It is a deluxe, lovingly produced work that succeeds in both form and content. For those who appreciate the physicality of fine automotive books and have passion (or curiosity) for the RS story at the 964 generation, it delivers richly. Compared to other books , this one stands out by combining depth, aesthetic quality, and a collector’s edition sensibility. Agreed, the book comes with a quite hefty price-tag of €392 for a standard book (available in German, English and French) or €492 for the more limited ‘by color’ books (German or English). But the only answer to the question ‘Is it worth it?’ is Hell yeah, it is !! Shipping will start in November, and you can pre-order at the publisher’s website Mäder Morse Field Recordings GmbH.
Book details
Title: Porsche 964 Carrera RS
Author: Christoph Mäder
Publisher: Mäder Morse Field Recordings GmbH
Genre: Cars
Release Date: November 2025
Format: Bound hardcover
Pages: 442 pages
Pictures: 737 pictures and illustrations
Language: available in German / English / French
Price: €392 / €492 (Linen bound by color)
ISBN: 9 783 912 090-01-7
All books are limited editions. The standard English book is limited to 1600 copies, the standard German to 1140 , and the French one is limited to 260 copies.
In total another 964 copies are linen bound, of which 578 in English and 386 in German and are available by color to the customer. For the English linen bound version that means 180 copies in Ruby Red, 180 copies in Maritime Blue, 120 copies in Pearl Grey and 98 in Amazon Green. For the German it comes to 120 copies in Ruby Red, 120 copies in Maritime Blue, 80 copies in Pearl Grey and 66 in Amazon Green.
