The 964 and 997 are consistently cited as optimum incarnations of the air-cooled and water-cooled 911. Having owned a 964 and 996 – and now a 987 – I’ve walked a similar walk, and now, I’d like to introduce you to Stanley Leask, who’s done likewise. In fact, he’s gone one better – he currently owns a 964 and 997, both positively personalised.
Before we delve into what makes his cars so special, let’s see how these icons stack up. The 964 represents the transition from classic to modern 911, combining traditional looks and ergonomics with more sophisticated running gear, making it one of the most significant models in the entire 911 saga. In production for four years, from 1989 to 1993, it was primarily marketed as the Carrera 2 and Carrera 4, and was the final evolution of the quarter-century-old air-cooled body shape, before the design was softened by the incoming 993. As well as Targa and Cabriolet variants, the 964 also spawned more sporting derivatives, including the 964 Carrera RS and 964 Turbo.
Stanley bought his 964 from Portiacraft in North London’s Mill Hill back in 2008. He paid £14k. We remark how, today, you wouldn’t get much change out of £30k for a 964 project car, let alone a good ’un like this, which benefited from an engine rebuild before Stanley’s name appeared on the car’s logbook. Cue tears from the writer.
For a thirty-year-old 911, this radiant red road rocket is in fabulous condition. “The body hasn’t been resprayed,” Stanley declares, “though it’s had bits taken care of over the years, such as a little bit of rust around the screen and the rear window.” It wears an RS rear bumper centre section, a glassfibre engine lid and a Cult Werk Cup 3.8 RS-style front splitter. Here’s the kicker: this gorgeous 964 actually started life as a Carrera 4 and, as we’ll discover, it’s now a Carrera 2. I’ll tell you why in a moment. First, a bit more about the original specification.
The 964 embraced several new technical features hitherto unfamiliar in 911 territory. ABS brakes, wishbone front suspension, four-wheel drive (in the Carrera 4 launch model) and displacement increased from 3.2-to 3.6-litres were new
