Taking a 964 and backdating it to look like a methamphetamine-addled 2.7 RS isn’t something that many do, but with Akira Nakai’s guidance, it can be done tastefully. Widened fenders, a functional aerodynamic package, and a few characteristically quirky Rauh-Welt Begriff touches help this green 964 stand out in the paddock. Careful direction helps blend the classic curves of an original RS with a few modern aerodynamic additions, which it also does with the complimentary colors this car’s covered in. While it might seem that these elements might clash, it all comes together with a hint of ostentation.
Striking and Functional
This machine does more than combine eras cosmetically; many of the additions are there for circuit performance. A tastefully integrated front splitter, wide flares, a ducktail, and a curved GT wing with supports mounted in the panel gaps complete the list of additions to the body. Underneath those striking fenders flares sit Aragosta coilovers, Brembo brakes, Advan wheels, and Yokohama A052 tires. Unusually, this 911 sports a square setup with 295/35-18 tires at all four corners, which could make it a little more nervous than some could live with. However, the on-track performance suggests it’s quite friendly.
The low-slung lip doesn’t prevent its owner from mounting curbs in the critical Turn 5 hairpin.
Plenty Powerful for a Slow Circuit
Its 3.8-liter motor makes a touch over 300 horsepower. That may seem meager for a vehicle with such a purposeful appearance, but bear in mind this 964RS weighs just 2,425 pounds. As you might imagine, it uses all of the power available exiting the many hairpins at Tsukuba, doesn’t squirm in the two faster bends, and carries decent speed along the two straightaways. Those strengths amount to fairly fast lap times. This particular run took 1:00.616 to circle the 1.27-mile track, but it was able to snag a 59.305 on another occasion.
For a car with this weight and power, that is impressive. Moderate power, good mid-corner speeds, and a clean—if not divisive—aesthetic help this 964 stand out from the typical assortment of Skylines and Evos over-represented at Tsukuba time trials. Full of short, slow corners, Tsukuba is one place where four-wheel drives reign supreme. Fortunately, as this Porsche proves, a heavily laden rear axle with the right amount of tire and aerodynamic grip can match the turbocharged, four wheel-drive competition on their home turf.