1992 Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 2 'WTL' Cabriolet

26 Bids Winner - richardg12
1:01 PM, 09 Oct 2024Vehicle sold
Sold for

£81,842

(inc. Buyer’s Premium)
Winner - richardg12

Background

Ben Dimson remembers his first day at Porsche in September of 1981 pretty vividly, despite the intervening years. He was picked up from Stuttgart Airport by Dr Heinz Rabe. Although Rabe was nominally head of Porsche’s personnel department, Dimson would later learn he was also one of the company’s longest serving executives and the son of Karl Rabe, Porsche's original chief designer.

Dimson recalls “On the autobahn en-route to Porsche’s Weissach research centre, we conversed about the basics of life in Germany and my Filipino background... all while doing 270 km/h in a 924 Turbo,” said Dimson. “The fastest I had ever driven beforehand was about 130 mph or just a little over 200 km/h, this was my welcome to Germany. I became so amped up and so excited to be in my new environment built around the need for speed and covering great distances in a matter of seconds.”

Dimson’s first task, or possibly “test,” was to redesign the Porsche 928 under the watchful eye of the car’s original designer, Wolfgang Moebius. Despite that inevitable jeopardy and added pressure, it was Dimson’s design that was approved by the board, including Dr Porsche himself. His 928 redesign got Dimson noticed and soon he was working on plum projects including the 944 Turbo, 959 and the first Speedster interpretation of the 911. His biggest challenge was to come, however, when he was asked to head up the design of the 964, the first fully new generation of the 911 since the model debuted in 1963. In design terms this was a task akin to herding some cats to stack water in a poisoned chalice whilst unpicking a Gordian Knot with the sword of Damocles perilously hanging over you. Obviously Dimson said “yes,” and the rest is history.

Dimson’s design did a fine job of preserving the 911’s priceless DNA whilst being a fundamentally different, and better, car that its G-series predecessor. It is a matter of record that the 964 carried over only 16% of its constituent parts from the earlier car. The headlines for the 964 were full time four wheel drive in the Carrera 4, optional Tiptronic for the first time and some self-steering suspension elements which all but quelled the lift-off oversteer of the early 911s. The car became a great success and today is revered in the classic 911 firmament. It also represents the rarest of the 911’s iterations. Compared with over 196,000 G-series cars to be built, the 964 clocked up just 63,762 units before its demise in 1994. This relative scarcity and its “first brand new 911” status all add to its increasing star power today.

Key Facts


  • Delivered new to Switzerland
  • Original Books and Service History present
  • Stunning condition throughout

  • WP0ZZZ96ZNS452189
  • 99100 kilometres
  • 3600cc
  • manual
  • Black Metallic (L783)
  • Sherwood Green Leather
  • Left-hand drive
  • Petrol

Vehicle location
Bonhams|Cars Online HQ, United Kingdom

Background

Ben Dimson remembers his first day at Porsche in September of 1981 pretty vividly, despite the intervening years. He was picked up from Stuttgart Airport by Dr Heinz Rabe. Although Rabe was nominally head of Porsche’s personnel department, Dimson would later learn he was also one of the company’s longest serving executives and the son of Karl Rabe, Porsche's original chief designer.

Dimson recalls “On the autobahn en-route to Porsche’s Weissach research centre, we conversed about the basics of life in Germany and my Filipino background... all while doing 270 km/h in a 924 Turbo,” said Dimson. “The fastest I had ever driven beforehand was about 130 mph or just a little over 200 km/h, this was my welcome to Germany. I became so amped up and so excited to be in my new environment built around the need for speed and covering great distances in a matter of seconds.”

Dimson’s first task, or possibly “test,” was to redesign the Porsche 928 under the watchful eye of the car’s original designer, Wolfgang Moebius. Despite that inevitable jeopardy and added pressure, it was Dimson’s design that was approved by the board, including Dr Porsche himself. His 928 redesign got Dimson noticed and soon he was working on plum projects including the 944 Turbo, 959 and the first Speedster interpretation of the 911. His biggest challenge was to come, however, when he was asked to head up the design of the 964, the first fully new generation of the 911 since the model debuted in 1963. In design terms this was a task akin to herding some cats to stack water in a poisoned chalice whilst unpicking a Gordian Knot with the sword of Damocles perilously hanging over you. Obviously Dimson said “yes,” and the rest is history.

Dimson’s design did a fine job of preserving the 911’s priceless DNA whilst being a fundamentally different, and better, car that its G-series predecessor. It is a matter of record that the 964 carried over only 16% of its constituent parts from the earlier car. The headlines for the 964 were full time four wheel drive in the Carrera 4, optional Tiptronic for the first time and some self-steering suspension elements which all but quelled the lift-off oversteer of the early 911s. The car became a great success and today is revered in the classic 911 firmament. It also represents the rarest of the 911’s iterations. Compared with over 196,000 G-series cars to be built, the 964 clocked up just 63,762 units before its demise in 1994. This relative scarcity and its “first brand new 911” status all add to its increasing star power today.

Video

Overview

Another differentiator for the 964 was its dizzying array of versions, iterations and special editions. Of the latter the “Works Turbo Look” Cabriolet of 1992 is notable. Sometimes referred to as the “C2 WTL Cabrio,” this was essentially a run-out special edition of the Carrera 2 Cabriolet. Just 1,532 of these were made, defined by the addition of the body, chassis, braking system and wheels from the 911 Turbo 3.3.

This thrilling example is one of those 1,532 being originally destined for and initially registered in Switzerland (its C10 factory code verifies this). It was believed to have remained in Switzerland until around 2017 when the previous keeper acquired it and relocated the 964 to Munich where it was re-registered on German plates.

Current owner, Barry, acquired the 964 via online auction in April 2021. At this point the odometer was reading 93,416 kms (58,046 miles). Barry arranged its import to the UK with the Cabriolet first being registered here in December of 2021 against its current registration number J457 MHR. Barry is a huge autophile and car collector and even has a retained qualified individual to look after his cars on his behalf. The 964 has been lightly used in its current ownership with 99,092 kms on the odometer on the day of our shoot, meaning around 3,500 miles have been added since import. With Barry registered as the first UK keeper, this superb 964 C2 WTL Cabrio is being offered as part of a wider rationalisation of Barry’s collection.

Exterior

The 964 was significantly more aerodynamic than the earlier G-series, and Ben Dimson was instrumental in that refinement. Smooth faired in bumpers and the trick rear spoiler that deploys above 80 km/h combine to define the car but also ease its passage through the air. Those attributes aside, this WTL Cabriolet exhibits all the brooding road presence of the iconic Turbo. The dramatic flared arches over the five spoke Cup alloy wheels conspire to make this a 911 that is hard to tear your gaze from.

The Cabriolet is presented in Black Metallic (L783) livery which appears to be in excellent condition throughout. A lustrous shine is evident throughout with no note worthy issues with either paintwork or bodywork spotted. Cabin glass, light lenses and black fabric hood all appear equally good with a new hood reportedly fitted in September 2019. The signature dynamic rear spoiler appears to deploy as expected.

Those recognisable Cup, five spoke alloy wheels are 17-inch in this application and look in excellent order. No dings, dents or kerb rash is noted, and the original forge marks are clearly visible. The big Turbo specification vented discs are visible through the spokes, as are the Porsche inscribed, black finished callipers. A set of high-quality Michelin Pilot Sport performance tyres are fitted.

Interior

The interior treatment of this Carrera 2 is a verdant feast for the eyes. It is thought to be original to the car and is finished in Sherwood Green leather and nearly identically hued carpets. It represents one of just three special order leather hues made available for the 964, as well as being the rarest of the trio. If frogs could specify 911s, this would be their colourway of choice, so reminiscent is it of lily pads atop bucolic ponds. Charming!

The condition appears to be very good, given its reported originality with just a few blemishes here and there. The leather appears to have attained a soft pliability which has seemingly help guard against rips or tears. That rare shade gives the high backed seats a welcoming appeal that just can’t seemed to be matched by their black equivalents. Both front seats are electrically adjustable and heated. The rear seats are probably best used for additional luggage especially in their folded down configuration.

The lily pad-esque shade extends to the leather of the dashboard’s top and bottom rolls, the door cards and the rear side panels. The well presented green carpets adorn the rest of the cabin’s surfaces. It is only the Carrera’s dash centre panel, steering wheel, instrument binnacle and centre console that stray from the theme with their black finishes. The instruments are the instantly recognisable 911 quintet of white on black VDO articles with the big tachometer placed front and centre. Only the head unit appears to be non-original, which is entirely forgivable as it is a sublime Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM) sat-nav and stereo system with iPod and aux-in connectivity.

The front luggage compartment is trimmed with its original looking black carpet set complete with storage pocket. This lifts to reveal a space saver wheel and tyre and a seemingly unused tool kit. The all-important Porsche build sticker, and twin of the one in the service book, is present, correct and affixed to the bonnet’s underside.

Mechanical

The 3.6L air-cooled M64/01 engine fitted to this car proved to be a gem of a unit. A seven bearing, six cylinder boxer unit with electronic fuel injection and DME controller, it was originally rated at 247bhp. Power is fed to the rear wheels via a five-speed version of the desirable Getrag G50 gearbox. In original fettle this configuration could deliver a 160mph top speed and a 0-60 mph sprint time starting with a five. This example is fitted with a limited slip differential which helps to maximise traction in all road conditions.

As we shall see next, this 964 has been the beneficiary of diligent servicing and maintenance. As such no known mechanical issues have been noted or reported. It should come as no surprise then that engine bay of this example looks both well maintained and highly original. The red “AMAG” plate is specific to the car’s Swiss history with AMAG being Porsche’s Swiss importers up until 1998. The underside of the car appears to be straight and leak free with no areas of concern noted.

History

There is a helpful amount of provenance providing paperwork included with this 964. First there is the current V5 registration document in the name of the owner. This is accompanied by the current, advisory free MoT which is valid until September 2025.

The original German language book pack is present and includes the service history booklet. This contains a full 35 stamps covering service work, body work guarantee inspections and brake fluid changes. The service section is stamped up to 93,391 kms in 2001 which included a brake fluid change also. A German TUV certificate is also present recording some of the MoT equivalents the Porsche has undertaken.

Summary

As the first legitimately new Porsche since 1963, the 964 was always destined to be a special car. It helped to sustain the model’s lineage through a difficult time when its replacement with a combination of 944 and 928 was seriously considered. Luckily Ben Dimson’s 911 was good enough to help keep the flame alight for a further 35 years... and counting.

As one of just over 1,500 special edition Works Turbo Look Carrera 2 Cabriolets this superb example is a rare iteration of the already scarcest 911 series. Its marvellous Turbo styling and sleek black paintwork is further enhanced by the stark contrast provided by its rare and original Sherwood Green cabin treatment. With its modest mileage for its age and its region-spanning left hand drive configuration, this is a 911 to get Porsche connoisseurs the world over sitting up and taking notice.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £80,000 - £90,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

About this auction

Seller

Private: B_C


Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.

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