Carrera, GT3, RS, Turbo, GTS, Speedster—Porsche slaps some pretty nifty badges on its cars. A good number of them have more or less been in use since the 1970s, with the exception of newer ones like the “GT” family. Sadly, Porsche seems to have dropped the ultra-cool “Clubsport” badge from its roadgoing lineup, retaining the moniker only for specialized track-only packages offered on the 718 GT4 and 911 GT2 RS. That’s a shame, considering the badge has traditionally signified some of the hardest-core and focused cars in its stable.
Of course, the modern “RS” badge (and available Weissach package) has effectively replaced the old Clubsport badge. Bummer—Clubsport is much more evocative, especially when scrawled across the rear decklid of cars like the Porsche 968. Well, in the case of this Speed Yellow 1992 Porsche 968 Clubsport, the rear decklid simply reads “968 CS.” Catch a glimpse of the side profile, though, and the package is unmistakable, as huge “Club Sport” lettering runs from wheel to wheel.
For most Porsche enthusiasts, the 968 Clubsport was the hottest of the breed ever offered to the buying public. Unlike the 968’s front-engined ancestors 944 and 924, no Turbo variant was ever made available in any major capacity—only 14 1993 Turbo S models were made, and just four 1992–1994 968 Turbo RS’s.
So, for someone who wanted “more” from their 968, the Clubsport was it. Predictably, adding this package meant removing a heap of other equipment, namely the power windows, high-end sound system, heated windshield washers, and underhood plastic covers, and turned the A/C and sunroof into optional extras. With less electronics to power, the wiring loom was slimmed down and a lightweight battery was installed. This asceticism shaved around 100 pounds compared to the regular coupe. Not much else was done aside from the crash diet, though the suspension is stiffer and dropped by 0.8 inch, and the car sits on larger, wider 17-inch wheels that improved handling and grip.
The massive 3.0-liter naturally aspirated four-banger is left alone, presumably still spitting out a respectable 237 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. Launch it correctly, and contemporary tests returned a 5.6-second zero-to-60-mph sprint. This particular 968 CS has no doubt done its fair share of hard launches, considering its well-documented past as a factory press car. After inclusion in a few tests with Auto Bild and Auto und Motor Sport, chassis no. S-LM 5402 participated in a four-car comparison test with iconic driver Walter Röhrl, where he proclaimed the 968 was the “best-handling car that Porsche made.” Big praise coming from the motorsports legend himself.
After this media stint, the car was sold into private hands, where it enjoyed an active life that saw the accrual of over 113,000 miles under the care of six different owners. It’s not exactly a pristine, unused example, but we’d rather have a well-kept, often-run car than some over-waxed and dried-out garage queen. Besides, this high-mileage CS is shockingly clean, prompting an unnamed “reputable Porsche specialist” to describe it as “the best 968 I have seen” in the catalog for RM Sotheby’s 2019 London auction. Someone agreed, as the car hammered for the equivalent of $60,495.
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Source: WORLD NEWS
