Originally released back in 1989, the Porsche 911 964 is the third generation of the sports car in the manufacturer's decorated 911 history, and nowadays, it’s one of the most sought-after classic Porsches for collectors and modders alike.

While other dependable Porsche classics such as the 944, 986 Boxster, or the 911 993 are also great alternatives, the 911 964 presents itself as the perfect mix for second-hand buyers that want a reliable classic that’s also extremely welcoming towards modifications. Thanks to an enormous amount of internal upgrades from the second-gen 911, the 964 is pretty much the sweet spot for buyers even though more than three decades have gone by since its release.

However, even though the 964 used to be pretty affordable in the used market, prices have skyrocketed in recent years due to the vehicle’s modification prowess, ranging from $50,000 for high mileage examples to more than $200,000 for well-kept high-spec versions. Here’s why the Porsche 964 is such a popular choice for avid modifiers.

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The Porsche 911 964’s Stock Chassis Is A Great Foundation For Modders

porsche_911_turbo_1992_rear 964 Leichtbau
Via: Favcars

Pretty much any car can have its original internals replaced with high-performance parts that significantly boost its performance, but experienced modders tend to look for vehicles with well-fabricated mechanical components that can sustain additional power and speeds. Not only is it a cheaper and simpler alternative, but going for this route also means that the modified car can still maintain plenty of stock parts - which is kind of the point.

Even in its stock form, the 911 964 emerged as a significant upgrade from its predecessor, and according to Porsche, about 85% of the 964 was completely new. Firstly, the 964 sports a new-at-the-time 3.6-liter flat-six engine that produces 247 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to high-grade internals such as dry-sump lubrication, electronic fuel injection, and aluminum alloy block and cylinder heads, the engine is capable of sustaining high-power tunes with relative ease. Furthermore, Porsche also included updated suspension with coil springs and shock absorbers instead of torsion bars, and the 964 came standard with ABS brakes, power steering, and a 5-speed Getrag G50 manual transmission with great sublime shifting capabilities. All-wheel-drive was also available as standard for the first time ever on the 964 Carrera 4, though a RWD Carrera 2 version hit the market shortly after, and desirable features such as a heavily improved climate control system made the 964 easier to live with than its predecessor.

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There Are Tons Of Aftermarket Modifications For The 964 911

Singer 911 Turbo Study Wolf Blue Front Three Quarter  View
Via: Singer

As a result of the Porsche 964’s famous tunability, a vast amount of third-party companies produce and sell exterior and performance mods for the classic German sports car which vary in complexity and resulting enhancement. From high-grade pedals to bolt-on engine hardware and widebody kits, there’s a seemingly infinite amount of possibilities when it comes to modding the 964. However, for those interested in leaving the job to the experts, there’s another alternative.

Singer Vehicle Design is a company that’s been restoring Porsches for 13 years, and it's considered by many as the best in the business when it comes to Porsches specifically. Among them, Singer’s preferred model to restore is arguably the 911 964, and the company offers plenty of aesthetic and performance upgrades, though they aren’t cheap by any means. You can expect to part with more than $500,000 after sending your 964 to Singer’s workshops, but they’ll send it back with carbon fiber body panels, customer-specified interior upholstery, and more importantly, engine tunes done by the likes of Cosworth for significantly improved performance.

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The Porsche 964’s Timeless Design Can Be Further Enhanced

Porsche 964 by Singer
via LA Times

The 1989 Porsche 964 is gorgeous as is, but it’s easy to add plenty of personal touches to its exterior without necessarily spending too much. Aftermarket manufacturers such as Rennline and Suncoast Parts offer a versatile lineup of exterior accessories for the Porsche 964, including body panels, upgraded lights, trim pieces, decals, and plenty more. This makes it easy to customize the 964 at will, and combining different mods can turn yours into a completely unique version of the classic sports car.

Boiling things down, the Porsche 911 964 may not be as accessible to modifiers with a tight budget due to a massive blow up in the classic’s resale value, but that doesn’t change the fact that the car itself is still one of the most open-to-mod Porsches ever manufactured. Whether it's inside, outside, or both, you can work on the 964 leisurely in what makes for one of the most rewarding project cars around.