Overview of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 964 RWB
This is a genuinely unusual car to find coming out of a Japanese auction house. Sold through USS Tokyo as lot 65055, it is described on the auction sheet as a 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Base Version, chassis code 964A, first registered in Japan in April 1992 as an official dealer import with left hand drive. The auction sheet notes this particular car has been converted into what the selling dealer describes as an RWB complete car, built with an early smooth fender specification and stated by the seller to be the world's first RWB narrow look example. The 3.6 litre flat six has been replaced with a 3.8 litre unit built by Front Row, running six individual throttle bodies and MoTeC engine management, paired with a six speed gearbox sourced from a later 993. The wide bodywork is stated to be officially certified in Japan as a registered modification. The odometer shows 79,045 km, which converts to approximately 49,116 miles. This is a car for a buyer who wants a serious RWB build on genuine 964 Carrera RS foundations rather than a numbers matching original, and the auction sheet is very clear that there is meaningful history and modification to understand before bidding, including front accident repair history and a cabin that needs attention. Full detail on every point noted by the inspector follows below.
The Drive Review
The 964 generation Carrera RS is one of the most respected driver focused 911s Porsche ever built, and this car takes that foundation somewhere entirely different by combining it with RWB coachwork and a built engine. In stock form the 964 RS used a naturally aspirated 3.6 litre air cooled flat six producing around 260 PS, mated to a close ratio five speed manual, stripped interior, lightweight body panels, adjustable coilovers and a limited slip differential, all aimed at making it noticeably sharper and more immediate than the standard Carrera 2. This example has moved further still, with a 3.8 litre engine built by Front Row running individual throttle bodies and MoTeC management, which typically means a more aggressive throttle response and a higher rev ceiling than the factory unit, along with a six speed gearbox taken from the later 993 generation in place of the original five speed. Expect the character of an air cooled flat six to remain intact: mechanical, vocal, and demanding of the driver's attention, with the engine mounted behind the rear axle giving that distinctive weight transfer under acceleration and braking that defines an air cooled 911. RWB builds are aimed squarely at drivers who want visual drama and track derived stance to match the mechanical upgrades, with wider arches accommodating a wider footprint and, on many builds, more aggressive suspension geometry. Genuine RS bucket seats are fitted according to the points to note on the auction sheet, reinforcing the driver focused brief, and a kill switch is present, which is typical of cars built with track use in mind. This is not a car for buyers wanting a soft, original 964 RS experience. It is a car for someone who wants an analogue, high revving, rear engined sports car with a serious visual and mechanical identity of its own, built on a genuine 964 RS body.
Auction Details
This Porsche 911 Carrera RS 964 was sold through USS Tokyo, one of Japan's principal auction houses, under lot number 65055. The Japan sale date is 1 October 2026. The auction grade recorded on the sheet is R, denoting accident repair history, with an interior grade of C and an exterior grade also recorded as R. The auction start price was ¥24,500,000. The Autoselecta guide bidding range for this car is £33,250 to £80,500. This range is an estimated bidding guide based on the auction data and condition reported, not a guaranteed purchase price, and Autoselecta cannot promise the car will sell within it. The live price panel on this page shows the current minimum bid figure and total landed cost estimate, both of which are calculated live and will change after publication, so please refer to that panel rather than this text for up to date figures. All bids must be submitted before 9PM UK time the evening before auction.
Vehicle Specifications
Manufacturer Porsche. Model 911. Grade as listed 911 Carrera RS Base Version. Chassis code E-964A. Body style two door coupe. Year of first registration April 1992 (Heisei 4). Engine capacity 3,600 cc as originally fitted, noted on the sheet, though the fitted engine is a 3.8 litre unit built by Front Row according to the seller's sales points. Fuel type petrol. Transmission six speed floor shift manual, with the points to note confirming this is a 993 sourced six speed gearbox rather than the original RS five speed unit. Drive layout 2WD, rear wheel drive in the traditional 911 configuration. Steering left hand drive. Exterior colour green, noted on the sheet as a colour change car, having originally been finished in pink, with the seller's own notes separately stating the original colour was Rubystone Red. Interior colour not confirmed on the auction sheet. Odometer reading 79,045 km, approximately 49,116 miles. Seating capacity two, as listed on the sheet. Frame number WP0ZZZ96ZNS490394. Registration plate recorded as Adachi 32F mo 9. Vehicle dimensions given as length 427 cm, width 176 cm, height 131 cm. Japanese roadworthiness certificate (shaken) is valid until 24 October 2026. Import type is listed as an official dealer import, and the recycling deposit recorded is 13,200 yen.
Factory Features and Equipment
The equipment boxes on the auction sheet are not marked, so no factory options such as air conditioning are confirmed present and the sheet's air conditioning box is left blank. Service book status is also left blank on the sheet, so a full service history cannot be confirmed. What can be confirmed from the points to note section is that genuine 964 RS bucket seats are fitted, a custom made full exhaust system has been installed, a kill switch is present, and the wide bodywork carries official certification in Japan as a registered modification. The engine bay photograph shows individual throttle bodies, a MoTeC control unit visible near the fan shroud area, and aftermarket air filters, consistent with the seller's stated engine build. The dashboard photograph shows an auxiliary tachometer fitted alongside the original instrument cluster, along with what appears to be a fuel warning sticker on the far gauge, and a Porsche crested three spoke steering wheel. No navigation, audio unit or factory infotainment is fitted, and the inspector specifically notes a hole left in the dashboard where audio equipment has been removed.
Japanese Auction Report Translation
The auction sheet has been translated and checked by Autoselecta and every point recorded by the inspector is set out below in full, without omission. The sheet heading identifies this car as sitting in the classic or notable car corner of the auction, reflecting its status as a modified collectible rather than a standard used car. Under sales points the seller states this is a 964 RS, an RWB complete car, built to an early smooth fender specification and claimed to be the world's first RWB narrow look example, fitted with an engine built by Front Row displacing 3.8 litres with six individual throttle bodies and MoTeC engine management. Under points to note the seller states genuine RS bucket seats are fitted, the gearbox is a six speed unit sourced from a 993, a custom made full exhaust system is fitted, a kill switch is present, and the wide body has official certification as a registered modification in Japan. The car is recorded as an official dealer car and its original colour is stated as Rubystone Red. The seller adds a specific warning that because there are many modifications, prospective buyers are asked to inspect the actual car in person, and that the car has been requested to be kept under covered, roofed storage.
The inspector's own report then records the following, separately from the seller's sales pitch. There is front accident repair history. There is distortion noted to the front floor and front panel, with the inspector marking this as not fully certain and possibly related to the bumper area. The car is confirmed as a colour changed vehicle. There is a hole left in the dashboard from a removed audio unit. The cabin is noted as dirty with scuffing throughout. Trim and carpet are noted as missing in places. The dashboard panel is noted as lifting. The wheels show kerbing and scraping. The inspector's general summary notes various scratches, dents and panel waves around the car. No service book is confirmed present, and the interior colour box has been left blank by the inspector.
Damage Diagram and Body Condition
The inspector's damage diagram marks several specific points on the body. At the front bumper there is a scuff and scratch marking, shown on the sheet as an A grade scratch. The left front wing, the bonnet, and the right front wing are all marked XX, meaning these panels have been replaced rather than merely repaired, which lines up with the front accident repair history noted separately by the inspector. The windscreen is marked with a repaired crack notation, indicating the glass has previously been repaired rather than replaced. Both the left and right sides of the car in the door area are marked with multiple A grade scratches, described on the sheet as many scratches on each side. The rear engine lid is also marked XX for replacement. Taken together with the inspector's written notes of front floor and front panel distortion, this points to a car that has had a genuine front end accident in its history, subsequently repaired with three replaced panels at the front and a replaced engine lid, with a professionally repaired windscreen crack and typical cosmetic scratching along both flanks consistent with regular use. There is no mention of rust or corrosion anywhere on the sheet. Given the combination of confirmed accident repair history, three replaced front panels, a replaced engine lid and a repaired windscreen, alongside the surface scratching down both sides and kerbed wheels, this car should be regarded as a usable, characterful RWB build rather than a concours standard or collector grade example, and any buyer should budget for a full paint and panel inspection before committing significant funds, exactly as the selling dealer itself has requested.
Interior Condition
The interior is graded C on the auction sheet, which is a lower interior grade indicating meaningful wear and untidiness rather than a smart, well kept cabin. The inspector's notes confirm this directly, recording that the cabin is dirty and scuffed, that trim and carpet are missing in places, and that the dashboard panel is lifting. The photographs support this, showing an interior that has clearly been used for a significant modification project, with wiring loom exposed behind the dashboard, aftermarket components fitted in place of standard equipment, and clothing and loose items visible in the footwell area during photography. Genuine 964 RS bucket seats are confirmed fitted according to the seller's own points to note, and these are visible in the photographs finished in a dark leather or vinyl trim with RS style stitching, though general wear is evident. A hole is present in the dashboard where an audio unit has been removed, as noted by the inspector. An auxiliary white faced tachometer has been added to the dashboard alongside the original Porsche instrument cluster, and a Porsche crested steering wheel is fitted. No interior colour is confirmed on the auction sheet, and no service book or maintenance history is confirmed present. Buyers should treat this cabin as a project space rather than a finished, presentable interior, in line with both the C grade and the inspector's direct comments.
Japanese Auction Grades
Japanese auction houses grade cars on a standard scale to give buyers a fast, independent read on condition before physical inspection. This car carries an overall auction grade of R, which specifically denotes a vehicle with confirmed accident repair history, distinct from the numbered grades used for cars without such history. The exterior grade is also recorded as R for the same reason. The interior grade of C indicates a cabin with clear wear, scuffing or missing trim rather than a smart, tidy interior, and sits below the higher interior grades reserved for well kept, largely unmarked cabins. These grades are assigned by an independent inspector at the auction house and are intended as a condition guide rather than a mechanical warranty, and prospective buyers should always read the full inspector comments alongside the headline grades, as has been done in full above.
Model History
The Porsche 911 Carrera RS, internally coded 964, was introduced in 1991 as a homologation special and a deliberately stripped back, driver focused version of the 964 generation Carrera 2. Porsche reduced weight through thinner glass, lighter bumpers, deleted rear seats, reduced sound deadening and simplified interior trim, while fitting stiffer, lower suspension, a limited slip differential and a close ratio five speed manual gearbox. The 3.6 litre air cooled flat six was tuned to produce around 260 PS in standard trim, giving the RS sharper responses and a more focused character than any other 964 variant. The 964 generation itself, produced from 1989 to 1994, was a significant update to the 911 line, introducing coil spring suspension in place of torsion bars, power steering, and ABS, while retaining the air cooled flat six layout that would be phased out after the following 993 generation. RWB, standing for RAUH Welt Begriff, is a Japanese tuning house founded by Akira Nakai, known worldwide for its wide body conversions applied to air cooled 911s, typically combining flared bodywork, aggressive wheel and tyre packages, and in many cases built engines and upgraded drivetrains, as has been done to this car with its Front Row built 3.8 litre engine and 993 sourced six speed gearbox.
Why This Model Has Become Collectible
The standard 964 Carrera RS is already a genuinely sought after 911 among collectors, prized for its rarity, its motorsport derived engineering, its manual gearbox and its position as one of the last purely analogue, driver focused air cooled 911s before electronic driver aids became more widespread on later generations. Original, unmodified examples in good condition have become increasingly difficult to source, particularly outside Japan, and command strong demand globally. This particular car sits in a different but equally significant collector niche, that of RWB built air cooled 911s, which have developed a dedicated global following of their own thanks to Akira Nakai's reputation, the individuality of each build, and the growing scarcity of well executed examples built on genuine period correct 964 platforms rather than later cars. A built engine from a specialist such as Front Row, running individual throttle bodies and MoTeC management, adds a further layer of mechanical interest for buyers who want more than a standard RWB aesthetic conversion. As with any RWB build, no two cars are identical, and originality in the traditional Porsche sense is not the appeal here, individuality, build quality, and the story of the specific car are what drive value in this segment. Sourcing genuine, well documented examples like this from Japan, home to the RWB workshop itself, remains one of the more direct ways for overseas enthusiasts to access this scene.
What To Look For When Buying This Model
Any 964 based car, and particularly one with the extent of modification seen here, deserves careful scrutiny before purchase. Air cooled flat six engines from this era are known for oil leaks at various seals and gaskets, and a built engine such as the Front Row unit fitted here should ideally come with documentation of its build and any subsequent work, though none is confirmed on the auction sheet. Individual throttle body setups require careful tuning and synchronisation, and MoTeC management systems benefit from a specialist who understands the specific mapping used. A 993 sourced gearbox fitted to a 964 is a known conversion route among enthusiasts but relies on correct installation and linkage setup for smooth operation. On this specific car, the auction sheet confirms front accident repair history with the left front wing, bonnet, right front wing and rear engine lid all recorded as replaced panels, along with a repaired windscreen crack, so a thorough post accident structural check by a marque specialist is strongly advised before any final commitment. The interior is confirmed dirty and scuffed with trim and carpet missing and the dashboard panel lifting, so buyers should expect to spend on retrim and interior recommissioning. No service book or maintenance history is confirmed present, so a full mechanical inspection covering oil leaks, cooling, electrics and the aftermarket wiring visible behind the dashboard is sensible. Wide body conversions should always be checked for correct fitment and any signs of contact or rubbing on tyres, and the officially certified wide body status noted on the sheet is a positive point in terms of Japanese road legality, but does not remove the need for a physical inspection, which the selling dealer itself has explicitly requested given the number of modifications present.
Why Import This Car From Japan
Japan remains the single best source for genuine RWB built 911s given that the workshop itself is based there, and it also retains a strong supply of air cooled 964 generation cars generally, many kept in dry, garaged conditions for years by dedicated single owners. Auction houses such as USS Tokyo provide an independent grading and inspection system that, while not a substitute for a personal inspection, gives overseas buyers a genuine starting point for condition and history before bidding, something rarely available when buying privately from other markets. Importing directly from Japan also removes a layer of dealer markup common in other regions where RWB cars are scarce and heavily marked up once they leave Japan.
USA Import Information
This 1992 Porsche 911 is now over 25 years old and is eligible for import into the United States. Autoselecta can arrange shipment of this car from Japan to the United States, and buyers should contact Autoselecta with their city or ZIP code before bidding so that a delivered quotation can be prepared in advance. Autoselecta can calculate the expected purchase costs, Japan side costs, ocean shipping, customs related charges and any delivery requirements specific to the buyer's state, so that the full landed picture is understood before any bid is placed.
Ultimate Guide For Japanese Imports
Buying a car at Japanese auction from overseas involves several distinct stages, starting with careful reading of the auction sheet and available photographs, followed by placing a maximum bid through an agent ahead of the Japan sale date, then, once successful, arranging export paperwork, deregistration where applicable, transport to the export port, shipping by container or roll on roll off vessel, and finally import clearance and delivery in the destination country. Costs at each stage vary by vehicle size, destination port and current shipping rates, which is why the live price panel on this page, rather than fixed figures in this text, should always be treated as the accurate reference point for current totals.
Why Import Through Autoselecta
Autoselecta provides direct access to Japan's major auction houses, including USS Tokyo where this Porsche 911 Carrera RS is listed, giving buyers a transparent view of the original auction sheet, translated condition report and photographs rather than a filtered secondhand listing. The team assists with bidding strategy, places bids on the buyer's behalf ahead of each sale, and handles export documentation, shipping arrangements and import support once a car is purchased, including guidance for buyers in both the UK and the United States. Vehicle tracking is provided where available so buyers can follow their car's progress from the Japan sale through to arrival, and the Autoselecta team remains a single point of contact throughout the process rather than handing buyers between different agents at each stage.
Browse This Week's Japanese Auctions
This 964 based RWB Porsche 911 Carrera RS is one of many vehicles currently listed across Japan's major auction houses. Buyers interested in air cooled Porsches, modified builds or classic Japanese performance cars more broadly can browse this week's live auction listings on the Autoselecta platform to compare current stock and upcoming sale dates.
Live Auction Search
The Autoselecta live auction search tool allows buyers to filter current Japanese auction listings by manufacturer, model, chassis code, year, grade and price, making it straightforward to track down further examples of the Porsche 911 964 generation or similar RWB and air cooled builds as they come up for sale.
Auction Caution
Cars sold through Japanese auction houses are inspected by independent graders before sale, but they remain used vehicles and the auction sheet is a condition guide rather than a mechanical warranty. This is particularly relevant to this specific car, which the auction sheet records as carrying front accident repair history with three replaced front panels, a replaced engine lid, a repaired windscreen crack, a dirty and scuffed interior with missing trim and carpet, a lifting dashboard panel, and kerbed wheels. The selling dealer has itself asked prospective buyers to inspect the actual car given the extent of modifications carried out. Older, heavily modified performance cars of this type should always be budgeted for further servicing, mechanical inspection and refurbishment after purchase, and buyers should factor this into their overall plans before bidding.
