1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport

Background:

Launched in 1991 and manufactured only until 1995, the Porsche’s 968 was the final hurrah of the front-engined range that had debuted with the 924 in 1976 and it was the last front-engined, rear-wheel drive Porsche until the introduction of the Cayenne SUV in 2003.

The 968 was introduced to replace the top of the range 944, with which it was derived but with almost 80% of the car’s mechanical components being either significantly re-designed or replaced entirely, the decision was made to drop plans for the new machine to become a S3 944 and to issue an entirely new type number.

Along with the mechanical changes, the familiar 944 outline was remodelled for the 968 in-house designer, Harm Lagaay (who had been responsible for the 924 and 944 as well), updating the shape for a new era, while ensuring the family heritage was still clear. Loyalty has always been a strong trend among Porsche customers and design language helps to nurture that brand- and type-devotion.

From October 1992, Porsche offered a lighter-weight variant of the new model, the Club Sport, aimed at enthusiast drivers seeking improved on-track performance. Much of the luxury trim and equipment was removed, lending the new machines a more focussed, raw feel, harking back to Porsche’s racing heritage, rather more than the Grand Touring vein of the later 944s and initial 968 offering.

Exclusive wheel options, colour and interior palettes and a stripped-back interior all marked the Club Sport out from its humbler brethren and the 100kg weight saving - paired with optimised suspension settings - aided performance, yielding a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 162mph.

A total of just 1,538 uprated 968s were produced by Porsche, 1,232 registered as 968CS, with a further 306 968 Sport models – essentially a Club Sport but with much of the ‘comfort’ equipment reinstated, largely aimed at the buoyant UK-market.

The car:

This UK-supplied Club Sport is one of just 179 built in right-hand drive. Finished in the ever-popular Guards Red, sitting imposingly on Cup alloys, this particular 968CS is unusual in that it was specified with full 968 coupé options including carpets, cloth seats, in-car audio, air conditioning, a power sunroof and a graphics delete option. In other words, all of the performance you’d expect from a Club Sport, but destined for the road rather than track days, so with many of the creature comforts a well-heeled owner would wish for.

The vendor has owned this superb driver’s tool for two decades and in its 30-plus years, the 968 has clocked up close to 130,000 miles – still a relatively miserly average of barely over 4,000 miles a years! Clearly then, this car has been used for high days and holidays and has been as thoroughly enjoyed as it has been well cared for.

Accompanied by a predictably large history file, this outstanding Porsche comes with the original stamped service book, an MOT until June 2025 (with no advisories) and a recent service from a Porsche specialist.

Summary:

A solid classic from the day it was released, this 968 Club Sport represents a great opportunity to purchase a genuine under the radar street sleeper. Fast, nimble and refined enough to cover distances in some comfort, this scarlet beauty has it all!

Location: Yorkshire

Seller: Private

Photos: Professional