The introduction of the 964-coded 911 in 1989 represented a product refresh by Porsche designers on almost every level. The Stuttgart marque claimed that its next-generation 911 was “85 per cent. new” compared to the version it replaced. Cosmetically, the 964 was more refined with integrated bumpers, while its sleek profile not only aided visual appeal but drastically improved the 911’s aerodynamics. The model was available in Cabriolet, Coupé, or Targa form, with the latter making for the rarest cars. Coincidentally, the 964 represented the last generation that Porsche offered a Targa roof until it was revived with the 991 in 2011.
Mechanically, the 964 benefitted from an all-new M64 engine. The naturally aspirated flat-six displaced 3.6 litres for a factory-rated 247 horsepower. Porsche overhauled the suspension set-up, replacing torsion bars with coil springs and shock absorbers, while power steering and ABS were both included as standard for the first time. As another first for Porsche, cars badged Carrera 4 offered all-wheel drive. While the Carrera 2 arrived one year into 964 production to appease purists pining for a rear-wheel-drive set-up, Porsche engineers gave power to all four wheels to compensate for the weight of the rear-mounted engine, in a bid to improve handling. A similar configuration was found in the 959, produced alongside the 964. Autocar's performance figures for the manual gearbox Coupe were 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 158mph. The total number of 964s produced was 53,180, of which 11,013 were Carrera 2 Cabriolets.
While the 964 might have been a huge leap forward for the 911 in terms of engineering and technology, visually it retained the shape and styling cues of the original 911 of 1963, which were enduringly popular even as the model approached its fourth decade. Porsche evidently understood the wisdom in the mantra “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” though they did introduce a new type of alloy wheel. Nowadays, nostalgia for early 911s has resulted in wheel-maker Fuchs adapting its classic Porsche RSR five-spoke design of the ’60s and ’70s for later models, and we see them here lending an individual custom touch to this beautifully renovated Carrera 2 Cabriolet.
With history running back to the 1990s, ‘J241 ENW’ is an original British-market (C16) car built with the desirable Tiptronic transmission. Invoices from 1997 and 1998 reveal the Carrera was then being looked after by Lancaster Garages of Colchester, an official Porsche centre, but it did not receive any major attention until 2015, when it was subjected to an extensive engine overhaul by marque specialists Pickup Motorsport which came to a total of £5,639. The work included replacing the timing chains, main bearings, big-end bearings and piston rings, plus sundry belts, hoses, seals and consumables.
The overhaul was part of a larger process of renovations which also saw it repainted and retrimmed. Following the engine work, it remained in use until 2020 before a brief hibernation from which it was awoken in 2024. Still presenting excellently, it has covered just 6,000 miles since the engine overhaul and was most recently MOTed in September, 2024, with no advisories. Supremely well-presented, with a few discreet and tasteful custom features, ‘J241 ENW’ is offered complete with the current V5C, MOT history, invoices from Lancaster Garages and Pickup Motorsport, and an original Driver’s Manual. It will be sold with a fresh MOT.
