PROVENANCE
Mizwa Motors, Tokyo, Japan (acquired new in 1997)
LMP International, Tokyo, Japan (acquired from the above)
Jerry Seinfeld (acquired from the above)

THIS CAR
Porsche’s famous RSR moniker dates to 1973, when a competition 911 – featuring a normally aspirated 2.8-liter engine, upgraded brakes, modified suspension, and lightweight bodywork – was introduced to compete in the FIA’s Group 4 category. For 1974, a new three-liter RSR was developed, and the updated model went on to dominate GT racing for nearly a decade.

In 1993, a new RSR model was unveiled, based on the updated 964 series. Powered by a 3.8-liter engine and incorporating cutting-edge weight-saving and chassis improvements, the 964 3.8 RSR was incredibly successful in international endurance and GT racing.

With the introduction of the 993 series in late 1993, a new RSR model was developed to take part in national championship series in Europe, Japan, and the US. The first few cars were completed at Weissach in 1996 and were officially named “Cup 3.8 RSR,” as they were built on the 993 Carrera Cup chassis (code M001) and equipped with a specially prepared racing-specification 3.8-liter engine.

All of the Cup 3.8 RSRs were true factory-built race cars – their design and specification influenced by the contemporary 993 Carrera Cup and GT2 models. The RSR presented an aggressive appearance, with Turnwald front and rear spoilers, riveted GRP arch extensions, large center-lock BBS wheels, and a spartan, race-ready cockpit. Customers were offered three distinct 3.8-liter engines for the RSR, ranging from the relatively mild M64/70 Cup racing engine to the IMSA-spec M64/80 engine.

The 993 Cup 3.8 RSR brought an end to the era of the air-cooled, normally aspirated 911 racing cars that originated with the 911 R of 1967 and progressed to the wildly successful RSR series. According to Dieter Landenberger and Jens Tomer of the Porsche Historical Archives, just 45 examples of the 993 Cup 3.8 RSR were built between 1996 and 1998, with an estimated 15 cars built for each model year – a minute fraction of the 993’s 70,000-car production. With the 993 Cup 3.8 RSR, Porsche closed the loop on three decades of continuous development and once again established its position at the forefront of production-based sports car racing.

The 993 Cup 3.8 RSR presented here, chassis no. 398070, was built in February 1997 for the Japanese market. According to factory records, this RSR was constructed as a European-specification model and, as such, was equipped with the M64/75 engine designed for endurance racing and rated at 340 bhp. This highly tuned 3.8-liter racing engine featured a resonance intake system, six intake plenums with separate throttle valves, a different camshaft profile, and no catalytic converters. Like most RSRs equipped with this engine, this Porsche was specified with the type M50/34 close-ratio six-speed transaxle.

Originally finished in Firnweiss (Snow White), the RSR was purposefully equipped with a Premier 75-liter fuel cell, Matter roll-cage, Recaro racing bucket seats, Sabelt harnesses, and MOMO steering wheel, along with an integrated fire system and air jacks.

Upon completion, the Cup 3.8 RSR was delivered to Mizwa Porsche in Tokyo, Porsche’s official Japanese importer. Remarkably, this RSR was never entered in competition and remains in virtually new, as-delivered condition, showing less than 5,900 km (approximately 3,700 miles) on the odometer. As would be expected of such a time capsule, the Porsche retains its original matchingnumbers engine and desirable factory-delivered features.

The Cup 3.8 RSR remained in Japan until Jerry Seinfeld acquired the Porsche through a German broker and imported it into the US under the EPA’s racing exclusion, as evidenced by a letter on file dated July 21, 2015. Offered with a copy of the original Japanese Export Certificate and a letter from Porsche stating “this vehicle is museum and collection worthy,” this Cup 3.8 RSR presents a rare opportunity to acquire perhaps the most original, lowest-mileage example extant.