Wanderlust

Tag: 968

  • Euro Market Find: Violet Blue Metallic over Tartan Porsche 968 Cabriolet

    Euro Market Find: Violet Blue Metallic over Tartan Porsche 968 Cabriolet

    What: 1992 Porsche 968 Cabriolet
    Color: Violet Blue (violettblau; metallic UNI; 57 / L37E; Porsche))
    Chassis #: undisclosed
    Mileage: 199,722 km, 124,101 miles
    Price: €28,750
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Kruibeke, Belgium
    Auction Link: Link

    It’s a funny thing about bold factory specifications. They can go full Buffalo Girl and go ’round the outside, coming back into solid ironic cool status. On the surface, we don’t know many Porschephiles who place the 968 Cabriolet on their short list of cars to own. Same goes for Viola Metallic – a medium metallic purple in a world where purple can be polarizing. Red interiors can also be hit-or-miss, but then you throw in tartan like the 968-era correct Studio Check and things are getting really interesting really fast.

    The 968 you see here is in Belgium, so it’d be in need of importation if you’re one of our predominantly North American audience. This is the sort of car you’d see Germans diving deep into the product catalogue then surfacing months later doing a factory delivery with their true unique creation.

    For the factory-spec perfectionists, we think we see an aftermarket shift knob in these photos, which is a shame because finding a matching factory replacement may prove to be a challenge… though if there’s any brand we’d feel more confident about being able to source it who’d be better than Porsche we can’t think of them.

    Also, the wheels appear to be 993 Targa specification. Likely this car came with cup 1 wheels from the factory – either 16-inch as would have been standard on a 968, or perhaps upgraded to 17-inch like the 968 Clubsport.

    Okay, for sure this car is polarizing. Even still, it’s so unique that we think it’s the sort of car that gets snapped up in a heartbeat by someone seeking something where they definitely won’t stumble over a twin at cars and coffee, or perhaps the collector who has everything.

    So, what say you? Totally cool or totally terrible?

  • Market Find: Signal Green Porsche 968 Coupe

    Market Find: Signal Green Porsche 968 Coupe

    What: 1992 Porsche 968 Coupé
    Color: Signal Green (signalgrün; non-metallic UNI; 22S; Porsche)
    VIN: N/A
    Mileage: 54,000 miles
    Price: $45,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Lee, MA
    Listing: Link

    As 964 era Carrera Cup colors go, Signal Green may be the rarest. Yes, they’re all special but the rarer the more impactful and in that this recently imported 968 Coupé doesn’t disappoint. Is it worth $45,000? Well, it is a rare shade and it is low miles, but it’s also an automatic. To someone looking for a unique cruiser, this probably fits the bill. Alternatively, someone seeking the ultimate driver who likely wouldn’t be considering an automatic can also net a 968 Clubsport in Europe for similar money if they shop around.

    It remains to be seen if the transaxle Porsche car market will ever truly explode, but that leaves even higher-priced rare specification examples like this one still a pretty good deal.

  • Triple Blue x Pascha for Porsche 968 Cabriolet Headed to RM’s Miami Auction

    Triple Blue x Pascha for Porsche 968 Cabriolet Headed to RM’s Miami Auction

    What: 1992 Porsche 968 Cabriolet
    Color: Porsche Cobalt Blue Metallic (kobaltblaumetallic; metallic Uni; 37U / 56 / 3C8 / F6 / LM5N / L37U; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0CA2969NS840531
    Mileage: 36,000 miles
    Price Estimate: $100,000 to $150,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: RM Sotheby’s 2025 Miami Auction, Coral Gables, FL
    Listing: Link

    If you were to imagine a fantasy list of Porsche models to be sold by a prominent collector / collection at a headline RM Sotheby’s auction, the 968 Cabriolet may not be at the top of that list. No doubt a car like the 968 Turbo S is an incredibly rare flex, the 968 Cabriolet tends to be one of Porsche’s forgotten or forgettable offerings. Well, that may be in normal factory specification, but when it’s laden in triple blue theme specification and from Todd Blue’s LAPIS collection, we’d argue you should take a closer look.

    Spoiler alert. It’s got blue Pascha.

    While Cobalt Blue Metallic is listed as a standard 968 color according to Porsche Club’s Rennbow color reference website, RM reports the car you see here is one of just 27 North American market 968 Cabriolets to be produced in the color. The configuration also included a radio cassette player, six-speed manual gearbox, a limited slip differential and Cup 1 alloy wheels.

    On the inside…

    Spoiler alert #2: It’s not a factory Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur (option code CXX) interior unfortunately, but you could have fulled us for the most part, though that blue OEM non-airbag sport wheel on a U.S. spec car was a clue.

    According to RM, the interior was created by Porsche customization specialists Rstrada, and it cost over $60,000 to create.

    The car was originally delivered to Massachusetts, remaining there through several subsequent owners. Following that, it was acquired by notable Texas Porsche enthusiast Todd Blue and added to his LAPIS Collection. Todd sent the car to Arling Wang’s Rstrada shop in Torrance, California for an interior restoration that lasted three years.

    Wang and his shop have built a solid reputation in the Porsche community for their ability to perform projects such as these, with quality and precision to appear as if the work could have been done in period by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. While time travel doesn’t exist allowing you to go back in time and CXX option up a car in the era of your choice, Rstrada allows for a notably close alternative. So, it’s with good reason that it’s rumored there’s a year-long wait list for a consultation alone.

    RM also shares that this 968 represents the only time Todd Blue has ever customized a car from its original specification. As the story goes, racecar driver Cort Wagner and the Ruf family were involved in the introduction between Todd Blue and Arling Wang, Rstrada notably also being the West Coast authorized agent for Ruf.

    At the core of the interior restoration is fine Nappa leather paired with striking blue Pascha fabric. The same blue leather abounds over most every surface, including the aforementioned Atiwe Cup steering wheel. A modern Porsche head unit further improves the driving experience.

    Porsche North Houston, the dealership that has maintained the car, is also credited with color-matching the Cup 17-inch Cup 1 wheels in Cobalt Blue Metallic. Worth noting, the original RM lot description lists these wheels as 16-inch rather than the 17-inch wheels seen in the photographs. It’s possible this was just a typo, or it could have been a mistake if the car’s original factory wheels were the 16-inch Cup 1 wheels also fitted on the car in period. For those who may need to know for sure, we’d suggest you inquire with RM Sotheby’s.

  • 1-of-13 Porsche 968 Turbo S Headed for Auction in Miami

    1-of-13 Porsche 968 Turbo S Headed for Auction in Miami

    What: 1994 Porsche 968 Turbo S
    Color: Porsche Midnight Blue Metallic (nachtblauperlcolor; metallic Uni; 37W / 39C / E9; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0ZZZ96ZRS890061
    Mileage: 113,611 km, 70,594 miles
    Price Estimate: $550,000 to $750,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: RM Sotheby’s 2025 Miami Auction, Coral Gables, FL
    Listing: Link

    Okay, Midnight Blue Metallic may be a standard issue Porsche 968 color and thus paint to sample wasn’t doable for Todd Blue and his LAPIS collection, but when you’re talking about an example of a model where Porsche only ever built thirteen, that he managed to stick with his blue theme at all is remarkably impressive. Even more impressive for those in the market is the fact that the car is about to go up for sale as part of RM Sotheby’s Miami Auction that is part of the Moda Miami event weekend.

    A transaxle era Porsche at the project RM has is a rare thing indeed, but we’d argue the 968 Turbo S qualifies. Unlike the Porsche 924 and 944 where turbocharged variants were common, most of the final 968 version (all but thirteen) were normally aspirated, including even the sought-after Clubsport. However, Porsche built 14 examples from 1992-1994 for the Kundensport customer-racing program.

    The Turbo S was powered by a turbocharged version of the 968’s notably large displacement 3.0-liter four-cylinder engine with single overhead camshaft. It produced an impressive 304 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. In period, only the 911 Turbo 3.6 produced more torque across Porsche’s entire lineup.

    That engine was paired with a six-speed manual transmission pushing power through a Torsen limited slip differential. All told, the 968 Turbo S was good for 0-60 mph in under five seconds.

    Each 968 Turbo S was fitted with the Sport Chassis Package, as well as the same brake components as the 911 Turbo 3.6. On the exterior, the Turbo S got three-piece lightweight Speedline Cup 1 wheels, twin hood scoops, a larger front air intake, chin spoiler and a large adjustable rear wing. Inside, Recaro Pole Position shell seats (not seen here) were also standard.

    The car was developed by Porsche Motorsport drivers Jürgen Barth and Gerd Schmid, with 100 examples part of the initial plan. However, higher-than-expected costs weighed on the program and it was prematurely curtailed in 1994 after only 13 cars plus one prototype had been manufactured. Given the short production run, this qualifies the Porsche 968 Turbo S as one of the rarest Porsches ever produced.

    This particular car was produced in February of 1994. Optioned well for the time, it includes a Blaupunkt Bremen radio and speakers with antenna, air conditioning, front airbags and partial leather seats and anti-theft package. Interestingly, it was also fitted with Porsche’s standard seats in cloth, rather than the hard shell fixed back Recaro Pole Position seats that most 968 Turbo S examples are believed to have received. Both the Recaro and the standard seat were offered in the non-turbocharged 968 Clubsport.

    This 968 Turbo S was first registered by the Porsche company in Münich, then later sold by the Porsche Motorsports department to a German owner in October of 1995. It was acquired by its next owner in April 2000 and imported into the United Kingdom.

    It’s also very well documented, including past registrations, MOT paperwork, owner’s manuals, correspondence and invoices dating back to 1999. It returned to Germany once more before being acquired by the LAPIS Collection of Porsche enthusiast Todd Blue.

  • EU Market Find: 1992 Porsche Paint to Sample Violet Amaranth 968 Cabriolet

    EU Market Find: 1992 Porsche Paint to Sample Violet Amaranth 968 Cabriolet

    What: 1992 Porsche 968 Cabriolet
    Color: Paint to Sample Amaranth Violet (amarantviolett; non-metallic; L39D / T3; Porsche)
    Chassis #: Unknown
    Mileage: 123,000 km
    Price: €38,950
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Renes Collectables, Vught, The Netherlands
    Dealer Listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    The prospect of an “internal” car is always an interesting one. Generally ordered by a executive, a board member, or simply a department looking to get a reaction, a given brand rarely orders a vehicle without some larger purpose. Porsche, in this case, initially ordered this Tailored Driver for themselves, wearing then-Paint to Sample Violet Amaranth paint. The reaction sought must have been achieved, as Amaranth was promoted to series option just two years later.

  • EU Market Find: Speed Yellow Porsche 968 Clubsport

    EU Market Find: Speed Yellow Porsche 968 Clubsport

    What: 1993 Porsche 968 Cubsport
    Color: Speed Yellow (speedgelb; non-metallic uni; L12G / X4 / 12H / 12G; Porsche)
    Chassis #: Unknown
    Mileage: 158,000 km, 98,176 miles
    Price: €41,500
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Wolbert Sportscars, Achterveld, Netherlands
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    There are fewer and fewer deals to be had in the Porsche world, particularly amongst rare models, performance models or in rare colors. That’s why the never-sold-new-in-America 968 Clubsport is a favorite of ours.

    Built at the end of the front-engined so-called transaxle era, the 968 was the final evolution of the 924/944 lineage. By the end of the run, the 968 featured a normally-aspirated 3.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Other than an exceedingly rare 968 Turbo S, the 968 Clubsport was the most extreme of the range. It featured a track-tuned chassis, 50:50 weight distribution and further excellent kit from the factory including larger Cup wheels and optional Recaro Pole Position. Six colors were offered, including Grand Prix White, Black, Guards Red, Maritime Blue and Speed Yellow.

    Yes, Speed Yellow was a standard color, on elf six . So, the car you see here isn’t a Paint to Sample Porsche. Even still, we believe it’s worth mentioning. That’s even more-so in this case, because it also has the optional color-matched Recaro Pole Position shell seats and is priced very competitively on the 968 Clubsport spectrum.

    This car does have a few modifications worth noting for collectors. This includes a cage, Momo steering wheel, upgraded sport suspension and a 993 “Big Reds” brake upgrade. We’re guessing it was someone’s track toy, a task at which most 968 Clubsports excel.

    The dealer also states that the car is damage-free.

    This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.

  • European Market Find: Rubystone Red Porsche 968, Low Mileage / High Price

    European Market Find: Rubystone Red Porsche 968, Low Mileage / High Price

    What: 1992 Porsche 968 Coupé
    Color: Rubystone Red a.k.a. Ruby Star (sternrubin; 82N; Porsche)
    Interior: Blue
    VIN: N/A
    Mileage: 42,125 km / 26,175 miles
    Price at Time of this Writing: € 74,900
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Heteren, NL
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love mention it:

    The Porsche 968 is (or rather was) one of the last good deals in the Porsche market. It’s also arguably one of the best Porsches of the transaxle era. And while the European market only Clubsport or the super rare Turbo are the big money versions, super low mileage, great spec and incredible condition can approach 911 money. Take for instance this Rubystone Red version sitting inventory at Porsche Centrum Gelderland in the Netherlands.

    At little over 26,000 miles logged, the car is practically new. And we’d argue that while perhaps polarizing, the spec is incredible. From the 964 era Carrera Cup comes the original Rubystone Red (a.k.a. Ruby Star), and it’s paired with blue leather and partial Studio Check fabric seats.

    A translation of the meat and potatoes of the listing goes as follows:

    Hereby we offer you this beautiful 968 3.0 Targa with only 42,000 km! Presented in a truly fantastic color combination. The exterior in the cult color Rubystone with the interior in a combination of leather and fabric in multicolor cobalt blue. Exactly as it was delivered new to its first owner by Porsche Zentrum Alltöttnig in Germany. The original purchase invoice, many other invoices, the maintenance booklets and the original German Letter are all present.

    Worth noting, while amazingly pristine, our eye is catching two potential modifications that **could** have come from the factory. These include the chin spoiler (that was possibly a Porsche Tequipment accessory) and the adjustable rear spoiler that appears to be identical to the design on the 968 Turbo. Factory replica parts like these do exist in the aftermarket, which would be less desirable on a car this original. It’s possible these were special wishes items, but that should be checked via the mentioned original purchase invoice the dealer has on file or with the Porsche Classic department in Stuttgart.

    Another peculiarity worth noting on any European market 968 (or 944, or 924) is the mention of the term “Targa”. In the U.S., familiarity with G-body 80s 911 models with full open Targa roofs can be confusing when you see one of these cars listed also as “Targa”. In regard to the transaxle cars mentioned, a Targa simply refers to the very large sunroof that came on these cars from the factory.

    Whether those parts are original or not, that’d be easy to rectify for an owner seeking ultimate originality. And if they’re not original and you like OEM plus upgrades from maybe the ultimate 968 model ever, consider it a bonus.

    As with any of our European Market Finds, this car is older than 25 years, making it an easy import into the U.S.A. should you be so inclined.


  • Euro Market Find: Amaranth Violet Porsche 968 Clubsport

    Euro Market Find: Amaranth Violet Porsche 968 Clubsport

    Even though we’re primarily a U.S.-based publication and tend to focus on North American cars, we occasionally pivot to other markets. That might be to cal out a particularly unique color or compelling specification, or in the case of our Market Find series, it might be to call out a car that is either older than 25 years (so an easy import) or on the NHTSA list of importable cars. In the case of this purple 1995 968 Clubsport, it’s both older than 25 years and also a desirable model in an even more unique Paint to Sample color.

    First, a little background. America did get the Porsche 968 coupé and cabriolet, however the more aggressively sporting Clubsport model never came here. And while the engine was largely the same as the U.S. model (think 964 RS America), it got a host of upgrades and lightening measures in order to make it more of a turn key track weapon with practically a 50:50 weight distribution. Since attaining 25 year status, 968 Clubsports have begun finding their way into the U.S., and Paint to Sample specimens tend to be the preferred lot.

    When we consider Paint to Sample on the 968 Clubsport, we tend to see of that era’s Carrera Cup colors. Think Maritime Blue, Ruby Stone, Mint Green, or Speed Yellow. This one painted Amaranth Violet (L39D) may be the first purple 968 Clubsport we’ve seen.

    This car was a Belgian-delivered example featuring the standard seats in black cloth, multi-function steering wheel, rear seats with backrests, basic alarm system and power door windows and mirrors. The car has logged 178,464 km (110,892 miles). It’s currently for sale in Belgium at Autos-David.be with a price of €44999.