Some Porsche books are made to be admired, others to be read, but only a select few manage to do both. Christoph Mäder’s Porsche 964 Carrera RS belongs firmly in the third category. This is a book that combines the visual appeal of a high-quality collector’s edition with the depth of research that makes you want to keep coming back to it.
The 964 Carrera RS established a special place in Porsche history, bridging the gap between the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 and the later GT3 variants. Yet, despite its reputation, there has been room for a comprehensive account of the model’s development, the different variants and the stories behind them. Mäder has clearly set out to fill that gap, and the result after three and a half years of research is an impressive piece of work.
What makes this book particularly interesting is that it goes well beyond the familiar RS Touring and Clubsport models. The coverage of lesser-known models and variants, including the underrated RS America, the preceding Carrera Cup cars and the more exotic Carrera RS 3.8 and RSR, offers added value. The book brings together a wealth of historical context and technical details collected through interviews with more than forty people close to the subject. This makes it rewarding even for readers who already know the 964 RS reasonably well or even own one or more examples.
There is a genuine sense of quality throughout, although that was to be expected if you are familiar with Mäder’s books on the 911R and the 993 GT2. Rather than simply celebrating the car’s reputation, this book explores the development and the finer details that distinguish the various versions. It is this attention to detail that turns it into more than a beautifully illustrated tribute. With its generous format and extensive photography, Porsche 964 Carrera RS is a reference work that invites you to casually leaf through it to discover new things, compare detailed specifications or simply read it from cover to cover.
The quality of the production deserves special mention, and not just because of the 442 pages and 3.5 kilos (7.7 lbs) of weight. The binding, the cover and the overall finish are excellent, while the slipcase adds a final touch that feels entirely appropriate for a publication of this calibre. What really takes everything to another level is the range of options available. The book is available in two editions and three languages, with a choice of four colours corresponding to some famous colour options offered by Porsche for the cars.
If there is one area where a little more attention would have made the book even stronger, it is the English translation. A sharper final edit would have brought the written presentation even closer to the impressive standard of the research and production. This is a relatively minor reservation, though, in the context of such an ambitious project. The sheer amount of information, the attention given to the less obvious variants and the quality of the finished product more than justify the price.
Christoph Mäder has created a book that feels genuinely useful as well as desirable. It offers plenty for the dedicated 964 Carrera RS enthusiast, while also providing a deeper understanding of a particularly interesting chapter in the history of the 911. All in all, a beautifully produced and impressively researched reference work that deserves a place on the shelf of any serious Porsche enthusiast.
