In 1992, Porsche introduced two Carrera lightweight cars sold by US dealers. Porsche sold 701 RS America in model years 1992-1994. The RS America was 76 pounds lighter than a standard Carrera 2, assuming it wasn't ordered with air conditioning, sunroof and radio. The Carrera Cup USA edition was 200 pounds lighter than a C2 and only 45 were made..
The 1992 Carrera Cup USA lightweight editions were imported by Porsche to compete in a national race series, but sponsorship fell through after the cars were in the US, and Porsche, hurting for cash in 1992, sold them through their dealers. The car is basically the Euro Carrera RS with a few safety items to meet import rules. It is amazing, but the cars are street legal. My car is titled and licensed in CA. My car is VIN WPOAB2960NS420581. The serial numbers are not consecutive. It has a total of 578 miles. It is not altered or modified in any way. It is just like it came off the showroom floor. The Carrera Cup USA cars were written up in Pano May 1993 and Excellence Feb 1993. The offering price is $89,000. Earlier cars I looked at were in the high seventies and had been modified and had substantial mileage. Car located in Newport Beach, CA.
To appreciate how dramatically different and special this competition lightweight edition is, compare the many differences to a standard RS America, which was billed as a lightweight for competitive driving. See the below Lightweight Carrera Comparison between the RS America and the Carrera Cup USA edition.
As Porsche said in a private 1992 mailing to potential Carrera Cup USAbuyers, "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity".
Imagine, if you will, you had an opportunity to purchase 1973 Carrera RS lightweight with 578 miles. What would it be worth. A local collector won't take $150,000 for his 1973 Carrera RS that has been raced extensively, wrecked, repainted etc., etc.
I can offer no good reason for selling the car. I have 7 cars and a four car garage and would like to get everything under roof.
Please feel free to call or email if you require additional information.
Gary
Barnhill
(near Newport Beach, CA, 50 miles south of Los Angeles)
949-644-7341
Lightweight
Carrera Comparison
between the RS America
and the Carrera Cup USA edition.
FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONETS | 93 RS America | 92 Carrera Cup USA |
Stabilizer diameter | 22 mm | 24 mm 5-way adjustable |
Spring rate | Base rate | Higher rate |
type | Linear | Progressive |
Damper type | Boge HD twin tube | Bilstein |
Hub material | Steel | Aluminum |
Upper spring strut mount | Rubber | Ball joint |
Lower control arm bushings | Standard | Harder rubber |
Height | Standard USA | 50 mm lower |
Camber setting | 0 degree | - 1 degree |
Wheels | 7x17 | 7x17 |
offset | 55 mm | 55mm |
material | Alum | Alum |
Tires | 205/50 | 205/50 |
Steering | Manual | Manual |
REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS | 93 RS America | 92 Carrera Cup USA |
Stabilizer diameter | 20 mm | 18 mm 3-way adjustable |
Spring rate | High | Highest |
type | Progressive | Progressive |
Damper | Boge HD | Bilstein |
type | single tube | |
Upper spring strut mount | Rubber | Ball joint |
Control mount | Standard | Modified |
Spring strut | Standard | Modified |
Height | Standard USA | 45 mm lower |
Camber setting | -45’ | -1 degree 15’ |
Wheels | 8x17 | 8x17 |
offset | 52 mm | 52 mm |
material | Alum | Alum |
Tires | 255/40 | 255/40 |
ENGINE COMPARISON | 93 RS America | 92 Carrera Cup USA |
Engine type | M64/01 | M64/03 |
Selected pistons/cylinders | No | Yes |
Flywheel | Dual Mass | Sports |
Fan/alt drive | 2 belts | 1 belt |
Modified suction oil line | No | Yes |
Engine mounts | Hydraulic | Solid rubber |
DME Control | Standard | Sport |
Displacement | 3600 cc | 3600 cc |
Compression | 11: 3: 1 | 11: 3: 1 |
Horsepower | 250 DIN @ 6100 | 260 DIN @ 6100 rpm |
Torque | 310 Nm @ 4800 | 325 Nm @ 4800 rpm |
Fuel | 92 Octane | 93 Octane |
GEARBOX and SHIFT LEVER | 93 RS America | 92 Carrera Cup USA |
Gear type | G50/5 | G50/10 |
Gear ratios | ||
1st gear | 3.500 | 3.154 |
2nd gear | 2.059 | 1.695 |
3rd gear | 1.407 | 1.407 |
4th gear | 1.086 | 1.086 |
5th gear | 0.868 | 0.868 |
Ring & pinion | 3.333 | 3.444 |
Limited slip diff | Option: 40% disc | Standard 20/100% variable |
Trans mount | Standard | Harder rubber |
Synchronizers | Standard | Steel, modified for quick shifting |
Shift lever ration | 4: 0: 1 | 3: 4: 1 |
Shift lever travel | 62 mm | 52 mm |
Lever cockpit position | Standard | 10 mm to left |
BRAKE COMPARISON | 93 RS America | 92 Carrera Cup USA |
Booster type | Vacuum | Hydraulic |
ratio | 3.0 | 3.6 |
Master cylinder diameter | 20.64 mm | 25.4 mm |
Proportioning valve switching pressure | 45 bar | 55 bar |
Front Brakes | ||
Caliper body | C2/C4 size | Turbo size |
Piston diameter | 40+36 mm | 36+44 mm |
Disc type | Ventilated | Ventilated, cross-drilled |
Disc diameter | 298 mm | 322 mm |
Disc thickness | 28 mm | 32 mm |
Rear Brakes | ||
Caliper body | C2/C4 size | Turbo size |
Piston diameter | 30+28 mm | 30+34 mm |
Disc type | Ventilated | Ventilated, cross-drilled |
Disc diameter | 299 mm | 299 mm |
Disc thickness | 24 mm | 24 mm |
BODYWORK COMPARISON | 93 RS America | 92 Carrera Cup USA |
Spoiler | Fixed | Retractable |
Side mirrors | Manual | Manual |
Front hood | Steel | Alum |
Glass | Standard | Thin |
NGT racing seamwelds | No | Yes |
Rolled fender lips | No | Yes |
Rear sound dampening | No | No |
Underseal | Yes | No |
Weight Lbs. | 2954 | 2835 |
Lighter than standard C2 Lbs. | 76 | 200 |
Windows | Electric | Electric |
BODYWORK COMPARISON | 93 RS America | 92 Carrera Cup USA |
Cruise control | No | No |
Battery | 75 AH | 36 AH |
Master electrical cutoff switch | No | Yes |
Heated rear window | Yes | No |
Front seat | Sport clothe | Basic |
Rear seat | Pkg tray w/ 2 doors | Pkg tray w/o doors |
Carpet | Lightweight | Lightweight |
Door panel | Lightweight w/strap | Lightweight w/strap |
Door panel speakers | Yes | No |
Front trunk carpet | Complete | Shortened |
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT | 93 RS America | 92 Carrera Cup USA |
17” wheels | Standard | Standard |
Sport suspension (M030) | Standard | N/A |
Limited slip diff | Optional | Standard |
Power steering | N/A | N/A |
Sunroof | Optional | N/A |
Air conditioning | Optional | N/A |
Tinted windshield | Standard | Standard |
Seat heat | N/A | N/A |
Headlight cleaners | N/A | N/A |
Radio | Optional | N/A |
Sport Seat | Standard | N/A |