To boost sluggish sales during a difficult U.S. economic period, Porsche aimed to recreate the success of its Carrera Cup series from Germany and France in America. The plan was straightforward: build identical racecars based on the European Carrera RS, equip them with track safety features, and ship them to the U.S. for racing.
However, due to Porsche’s recent failure to import the 959 supercar because it didn’t meet DOT/EPA standards, Porsche was required to send 45 DOT-compliant cars to the U.S., where they could only be converted to race specs after passing customs. Andial, a renowned Porsche engine shop in Southern California, was tasked with making the necessary modifications, including removing airbags and carpets, installing roll cages, and other race prep work.
These Porsche 964 Carrera Cup cars were originally built by Porsche Motorsport as European-market Carrera RS models, later modified to meet U.S. standards. They featured a seam-welded chassis, aluminum hood, limited-slip differential, and a blueprinted 3.6-liter flat-six engine.
Unfortunately, the series was canceled just before its first race due to the inability to secure a title sponsor amidst a weak economy. Of the 45 cars, 25 had been fully converted to race specs by Andial but were returned to DOT compliance and eventually sold through Porsche dealers to enthusiasts.
The 1992 Porsche 964 Carrera Cup USA Edition continues to establish its footing in the fabled “Porsche Pantheon.” Seldom seen in collections, let alone on the street, air-cooled 911 aficionados often hesitate when recalling the specifics of the mythical lightweight whose purpose was never realized.
Photo Source: Bring A Trailer
