In May of 1992, Porsche announced that it was planning to produce a very special, limited edition of its current 964 Turbo that was to be christened the 911 'Turbo S Leichtbau' (Light build). They expected to build 25-50 units (later upped to 80), to be sold through Porsche Centres at a price not exceeding 300,000 DM, and the car was to be built in the fiscal year ending July 1992. The new project was to be a lightweight, road-legal, Turbo that would feature an increased engine output, together with enhanced handling and subtle styling differences.
A prototype was built using a 1992 3.3-litre Turbo chassis and the 992 Turbo S Leichtbau came into being but, ironically, production did not start until July 1992 meaning that they were all built in the 1993 Model Year. The car was a development of the Turbo S2 and the target was to increase engine output by around 40bhp, however, that was comfortably exceeded and, in the end, an additional 61 horses were found bringing net power up to 381 bhp. Porsche explained: 'With different camshafts, precision-machined intake ducts, slightly higher charge pressure and an optimised ignition and fuel injection system, this six-cylinder engine was capable of producing 381 bhp. To deliver all that power to the road surface safely, the car was lowered by 40 millimetres and the running gear was given firmer settings.' However, the main quest was to find a significant weight reduction, and in this, they were very successful reducing the overall weight by 180 kg. mainly by doing without under-body protection, sound-proofing, air conditioning, power steering and rear seats. Further savings came from thin glass, aluminium doors, a carbon fibre luggage compartment and even thinner carpets. Electric windows and air-conditioning reappeared in the production cars but even so, the 'Leichtbau' was still 396lbs lighter than a Turbo S. Performance was startling at the time (pretty impressive now) with 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and a top speed in excess of 180mph.
The actual build numbers for this model have been misquoted over time with official Porsche records concluding 80 Leichtbaus were built initially. In fact, there were an additional 6 vehicles. The 81st car was added on as part of the recorded end of production run on November 20, 1992. The 82nd - 86th cars lack definitive production information in the Porsche official records for their final production and delivery dates but all are agreed that there were 86 examples in total.
This simply amazing 964 Leichtbau is one of only 67 left-hand-drive examples and looks superb in its Speed Yellow paintwork, a gorgeous colour created by Sprenger and Porsche Head Designer Harm Lagaaj. Remarkably this example is only showing 380km from new, which puts it firmly in collectors territory as Porsche’s first lightweight turbo production car.
It's a C31-spec car originally delivered new to Saudi Arabia in 1993 and well optioned at the time, including a limited-slip differential. There is a build sheet accompanying the car that can be sent to any interested parties confirming the exact specification when ordered new.
Looking at recent auction results these rare cars are particularly sought after and this particular example, given the fact its presented to auction with such low mileage, may well represent an unrepeatable opportunity to buy one of the most collectable Porsches on the market today.
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