Historic race car owners trust Canepa´s motorsport team to deliver the expertise to restore and run their vehicles at the highest level. See here the 1997 Porsche 993 Cup 3.8 RSR who just arrived in their inventory.
1997 Porsche 993 Cup 3.8 RSR
Not to be confused with the standard Cup 3.8, this 1997 Porsche 993 Cup 3.8 RSR is a far rarer beast, with just 29 built in 1997, and limited to 45 total units produced between 1996 and 1998. As designated by the ‘Z’ code in the chassis number, denoting ‘20631 RSR Package Vehicle’, they were built specifically by the race department at Weissach to support Porsche customer teams to race in American IMSA and European and International GT racing. The 993 Cup 3.8 RSR was designed to take on 24 hour events such as Daytona, Spa, and Le Mans, and customers could choose between three distinct factory built 3.8-liter engines, each one tuned to a different specification and designed for the appropriate class of competition.
Like the Cup, the RSR was based on a 993 Carrera 2 shell with the full Matter welded in roll cage, aluminum bonnet, Matter front strut brace, fully ball jointed suspension, and special front spoiler and adjustable rear wing. In addition, the RSR featured 2-way adjustable Bilstein suspension, bolt on wheel arches to allow fitment of wider wheels, larger front brakes, and a driver adjustable front roll bar.
Unique to the RSR is the uprated 3.8-liter M64/75 engine. Extensively reworked and designed for endurance racing, it features stronger and lighter valve gear, high-lift camshafts, and modified pistons and cylinder barrels. The inlet plenum and exhaust manifold are extensively revised and feature six individual throttle bodies. Performance was increased to 350 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, and delivered through a single-mass flywheel to a, unique to the RSR, G50/34 six-speed manual gearbox.
Invoiced by Porsche Motorsports in Weissach on January 29, 1997 to its first owner, Takashi Yasunaga, chassis 98077 was built on March 7th, 1997 and fitted with the M64/75 motor specifically tuned for endurance competition, and was further supplied with the optional 100 liter fuel cell and 380mm front brake system. The RSR arrived in the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan on March 17 of the same year.
Mr. Yasunaga intent was to campaign the car in the Zen Nihon GT Senshuken (JGTC) National Championship, however a change of priorities meant the RSR was never raced in anger, and its use limited to Porsche Club of Japan events in Suzuka and Fuji, and the occasional Sunday outings in the District of Hiranuma. After twenty-years of ownership Mr. Yasunaga sold the RSR to a British collector who transported it to North Ascot in East Berkshire during the latter half of 2017. Once again the RSR was not campaigned competitively, but rather registered for road use, and enjoyed as an automotive artifact of historical importance. While in the U.K. the RSR was impeccably maintained, including a major service being performed by the Porsche Classic Center in Guilford, Surrey on April 12, 2018, at 6,035 kilometers, and properly recorded in the included Porsche Classic Service Record booklet.
Upon being purchased by its 3rd and current owner, the Porsche 3.8 RSR boarded a Cargolux Boeing 747 at London’s Heathrow airport, and was air freighted to Miami International on June 2, 2019, intended for road use in the U.S. In preparation for driving, the RSR was scheduled for service at Porsche West Broward, Florida, on August 7, 2019 with 6,269 kilometers on the odometer. A multipoint inspection was performed, and the aging vacuum lines were replaced along with the inner and outer rear CV axle boots, spark plugs and fuel filter. The engine and transmission were removed, and the transmission case resealed, and finally an oil and filter service was performed, at a total invoice amount of $7,256.38.
Upon arrival at Canepa the team of expert motorsports technicians performed a comprehensive inspection, noting that the RSR is free of any incidents, and paint meter readings confirmed that it still wears its factory applied Glacier White paint. The center-lock magnesium wheels are stamped with the correct date codes, and the correct Bosch Motronic M2.10 ECU remains in situ, paint code markings on panels are intact, as are the labels on the Recaro seat and six-point Sabelt harness, attesting to the pristine original condition of this spectacular example of the Porsche 993 Cup 3.8 RSR.
Due to the lack of competition, only 6,568 original kilometers (4,081miles) are recorded on the odometer and the RSR retains the original engine (62P85717) and close-ratio synchronized gear box (2002023) as recorded on the official Porsche Letter of Origin.
This matching numbers RSR is mechanically perfect. The M64/75 3.8 litre DOHC engine, with its bespoke pistons and high lift cams is generating 350 hp at 6,900 rpm, producing the most visceral driving experience witnessed in an atmospheric car of the era. The close-ratio 6-speed gearbox is precise and functions impeccably throughout the entire power band, thus motivating the RSR to sprints from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and top speeds in excess of 175 mph.
The independent front suspension coil-overs and multi-link fully adjustable rears, as well as the camber, are dialed in a neutral setting for smoother travel optimized for open road use and occasional track days. Air Jacks are fitted for quick pit stops during serious competition. The BBS modular 18-inch center lock wheels with magnesium centers make contact with the tarmac via high-speed Z rated Michelin Pilot Sport tires (235 front and 295 rear), ideal for a wide range of applications.
The exterior of this competition car is in spectacular condition with the Firnweiss (Glacier White) enamel free of any imperfections. The paint meter is consistently reading between 4 and 6 mil throughout all panels, doors, bonnet and roof, further attesting to the immaculate provenance of the RSR. The condition of the pronounced composite flairs is equally flawless.
The sale of this remarkable 1997 Porsche 993 Cup 3.8 RSR is accompanied by extensive documentation including a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, the original Purchase Invoice, a Letter of Origin from Porsche Cars Great Britain confirming the original engine and transmission numbers, road registration and licensing confirmation from the DVLA in the U.K., U.S. transportation paperwork including customs documents, service records, and a comprehensive inspection report by Jurgen Barth.
One of just 29 Weissach-built Porsche 993 Cup 3.8 RSR’s for 1997, this spectacularly original beast of a car is suitable for competition use, open road enjoyment, or display on the worlds finest show laws.
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