964 Carrera RS book by Christoph Mäder

Here is our new favourite Porsche book. There are loads to choose from of course, but this is absolutely sensational. Full of the facts you needs and the graphics that make it an absolute delight, never mind the stunning pictures.

It charts the complete story of every Porsche 964 Carrera RS variant and its Cup Car counterpart is now available. Written by Christoph Mäder and self-published via Mäder Morse Field Recordings, 964 Carrera RS traces the origins, development, production and legacy of this model of Porsche 911 across 442 pages.

With access to factory records, technical documentation and previously unpublished photography, Mäder sought to create the definitive history of the 964 Carrera RS. He recounts, in extensive detail, the development, engineering, championship history and untold stories of these revered, lightweight 911s.

Available in English, French and German languages, the book opens with the story of the 964’s creation. Set against the backdrop of a business struggling to fund its development, Mäder explains the engineering and marketing decisions that defined the 964 model and the genesis of the Carrera Cup in 1990, the one-make series that spawned the Carrera RS. Detailed analysis of specification changes, including which brackets and captive nuts were deleted and where extra welding was applied and why, highlights just how deeply Mäder has researched the model.

There then follows an immersive journey through each derivative in the RS family, including the Touring, Clubsport, RS/RSR 3.8, Carrera Cup USA and RS America models, carefully distinguishing the latter two as closely related cars rather than true Carrera RS variants. Rarer and more obscure series, including the 20 cars destined for a series in Macau, are also covered.

Almost four years in the making, 964 Carrera RS is crammed with insight from more than 40 key figures associated with the car and Carrera Cup programme. These include a foreword from Jost Capito, as well as anecdotes shared by managers, designers, engineers, Porsche factory personnel, team principals and racing drivers. Mäder’s exhaustive research generated over 100 hours of exclusive interview material before he even put pen to paper, enabling him to deliver fresh insights into the development, design, production and one-make race history of the Carrera RS.

With a quest to dig deeper, Mäder’s research is supported by access to factory-issued Certificates of Authenticity, build sheets, original technical bulletins, parts catalogues and a substantial trove of previously unpublished images taken in Werk 2 in Zuffenhausen. Together, these materials allow Mäder to authoritatively recount the entire Carrera RS story with exceptional accuracy and detail, including production updates, part numbers and individual chassis specifications.

“I aimed not only to document the 964 Carrera RS accurately, but to create a book that reflects the car’s character and significance through its physical form,” says author Christoph Mäder. “From the research and interviews to the production quality and colour choices, every element of the book celebrates the spirit of the Carrera RS.”

Drawing on his own extensive design experience, including producing liveries for race cars such as the JetAlliance Aston Martin DBR9, Mäder was insistent that the book should be beautifully laid out and produced. 964 Carrera RS is his first self-published and funded book after partnering on previous titles covering the RS 2.7, 911 R and 993 GT2. Excluding the premium paper stock sourced from Sweden, 964 Carrera RS is produced entirely in Germany. Its manufacture involved three specialist printing companies for offset, digital and silk-screen processes, creating a hybrid-printed book block, with, just like its subject, considerable hand assembly.

Mäder’s design theme for the book also draws directly on the period and the car itself. A series of infographics present often dry data in a fresh format that also cleverly reflects the technologies of the time and colours of the 964.

964 Carrera RS is available now via the Mäder Morse Field Recordings website in two versions, with worldwide shipping available. The Standard Edition is numbered and limited to 2,824 copies, allocated across three languages: 1,600 English, 964 German and 260 French. The English Standard Edition is finished in Rubystone Red over black and supplied in a black slipcase, priced at €366.36 excluding local taxes and shipping.

In addition, 964 Special Edition copies will be produced. This linen-bound version is hand bound and available in four colour combinations: 300 Rubystone Red, 300 Maritime Blue, 200 Pearl Grey and 164 Amazon Green. The colour-by-choice option carries a premium of approximately €100, with Special Edition books retailing at €459.81 net.

• Title: 964 Carrera RS
• Author: Christoph Mäder
• Publisher: Mäder Morse Field Recordings GmbH
• Languages: English, German and French
• Extent: 442 pages
• ISBN: 9 783 912 090-01-7
• Format: 257 x 297 x 44 mm
• Weight: 3.515 kg
• Publication: Available now
• Pricing: €366.36 excluding local taxes and shipping. Special Edition books retail at €459.81 excluding local taxes and shipping

For more information, visit maedermorse.com.