When Porsche unveiled the all-new 964 generation in 1988, it marked more than just the next evolutionary step for the 911 – it signaled the model’s return to the highest levels of motor sports. One of the first competition variants to emerge from Porsche’s racing department was the 964 Carrera 4 Leichtbau, a 911 unlike any other built before or since.

The origins of this unique 911 model can be traced back to the end of the successful 962 racing program, a circumstance that led Porsche to search for new directions in motor sports. Jürgen Barth, the visionary head of Porsche’s customer racing department, saw untapped potential in the new, all-wheel-drive 964 Carrera 4. Working from an idea proposed by American Porsche aficionado Kerry Morse, Barth aimed to develop a lightweight, competition-ready 911 using spare gearbox and drivetrain components from the formidable 953 Paris-Dakar Rally car. This concept, a radical reinterpretation of the production Carrera 4, was approved for development and production in mid-1989 by Dr. Ulrich Bez.

Each Carrera 4 Leichtbau – German for “lightweight” – was painstakingly built by hand in Porsche’s racing workshop. Today, these rare, thoroughbred machines are among the most sought-after Porsches of the early 1990s, boasting a thoroughbred bloodline, exotic components, and exclusivity in numbers.

Stripped of all superfluous comforts, the C4 Leichtbau received extensive modifications with the goal of reducing weight and increasing performance. Aluminum doors, trunk lids, lightweight glass, and Plexiglas sliding windows replaced production components. Interior amenities were minimal: Nomex-upholstered Recaro seats, an aluminum Matter roll cage, five-point safety harnesses, fire suppression system, and dash-mounted differential control knobs that allowed the driver to fine-tune understeer and oversteer to their liking.

Mechanically, the C4 Leichtbau borrowed heavily from Porsche’s traditional 911 racing playbook. It featured a track-focused suspension system, a seam-welded body shell for enhanced torsional rigidity, and a short, final-drive ratio for explosive acceleration. Its 3.6-liter, twin-plug engine gained a modest increase in power through a less restrictive exhaust system, while the deletion of ABS and addition of Pagid racing brake pads heightened driver involvement.

Priced at DM 285,000 – more than double the price of a 964 Cup – the Leichtbau was exclusive and extreme. Each car was issued a special six-digit “werks” serial number in the tradition of Porsche’s most developed, factory-run racing cars. With production limited to just 22 units, the Carrera 4 Leichtbau stands today as one of the rarest and most driver-focused 911s ever built.

This example, chassis 964-004, was sold new to Kerry Morse, along with chassis 001, 002, and 003. Assigned production no. 0590063, this C4 Leichtbau was painted in traditional Grand Prix White, the most popular color for the model, accounting for 11 of the 22 examples built.

Subsequent owners of 964-004 include noted Porsche collectors Richard Mattei, David Mohlman, Ray Joseph, and Jim Edwards. Since 2017, chassis 964-004 has been part of a significant private collection containing virtually every rare 964 variant. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer displayed just 502 km (approximately 312 miles) and, consistent with its low mileage, the car presents in outstanding, highly original order.

Collector-owned from new and preserved in exceptional time capsule condition, this Carrera 4 Leichtbau is undoubtedly among the finest surviving examples of a rare breed. Often the missing link in an otherwise complete collection of competition-bred 911 models, this model represents a fascinating chapter in Porsche history and a unique approach to high-performance engineering. Seldom seen, it would be a welcome addition to any of the growing number of shows and events celebrating the Porsche marque. Rare, fascinating, and presented in superb original condition, this sensational 964 offers discerning collectors an exciting opportunity to acquire one of the most extraordinary air-cooled Porsches of the modern era.

*Please note that this vehicle will not be sold for use or resale in California or to a non-dealer California resident.