You Can Buy This 1-of-10 964-Generation 911 Turbo S

Back in 1993, Porsche had a unique problem. 93 of its outlandish 964-generation 911 Turbos remained in inventory, and, with just months left before the 993-generation car was set to go on sale, they were at risk of being outshined by a newer, but less distinct, car. The only solution was to make them faster, more unique, and more special. The result was the 1994-year Turbo 3.6 S line, a group of hyper-exclusive special editions that featured increased horsepower and unique bodywork. The US got 39 examples of the car designated X85, while European and other international markets received 27 cars under the moniker X84. Japan got just ten, and each bore the option named “X83”. All were silver, all featured distinctive “Flachbau” bodywork reminiscent of the slant-nosed 930 road car and legendary 935 racing car, and all marked a new performance benchmark for the 911.© Bring A Trailer The X83 “Flachbau” was exclusive to Japan. It is the most distinct of four unique 964 Turbo S options.

This, of course, is one of those ten. The most distinct feature is the look, a distinctive take on the slant-nose that combines a historic Porsche design long since abandoned with the startling, modern performance of the 964-generation car. With a then-startling 380 hp, the car easily out-muscles any original slant-nosed 930, showing the higher end of the performance potential of an air cooled, turbocharged 911. This car is one of six to feature the standard-for-the-era Turbo rear spoiler, distinct from the wonderfully absurd 3.8 RS wing worn by the other four X83 Flachbau examples. While those models may be even more extreme, and therefore more desirable, this wing is a cleaner fit, pairing better with the design cues taken from much older 911s.© Bring A Trailer 1994 porsche 911 turbo s x83 flachbau

This particular example, the third of ten produced, was imported to the US in 2014. Back in 2018, it was listed for sale by RM Sotheby’s as part of a massive block of exceptional 964s. It drew a high bid of $420,000, but did not sell. The 74,500 total kilometers (nearly unchanged since the previous listing in 2018) are middling for a car destined for a collection since the day it was built, but that is a strength; the car is in exceptional condition but not impossibly low-mileage, so there is no reason whatsoever not to drive it.

Now listed on Bring a Trailer, the car has been bid up to $400,000 with 12 days remaining. It is one of the most distinct 911s ever made, and, as an air-cooled, turbocharged, manual car, it represents everything great about this era of Porsche.