Porsche of the 1990s was a very different company to the one we know today. Squeezed by recession, Stuttgart turned to final evolutions of its classic designs and pushed to slash production times (and therefore cost) on new models, to increase profitability.

The 964 Turbo – often referred to as the 965 – was one of the last Porsche models to be built in the old fashioned/traditional way, with plenty of hand-finished aspects. Good examples of 964 Turbo are amongst the most sought after 911s in the current classic market and this one may be the rarest of the rare: an X88 964 Turbo, ordered and owned by the Sultan of Brunei.

Sultan of Brunei Porsche Collection

Depending where you look, estimates for the Sultan of Brunei’s Porsche collection ranges from 160 Porsche models to over 200. The only one I have seen up to now was a special 959 at William Loughran’s in Preston, but now there is an X88 pack 964 Turbo with just 18,200 miles.

First registered on April 8 1994, this Horizon Blue 964 Turbo is amongst the last ‘965’ models built as part of Porsche Exclusive’s 964 Turbo run-out programme. The 3.6 already had a number of improvements over earlier 3.3-litre cars, including a 360 bhp engine, bigger brakes, upgraded final drive and the iconic Speedline split rim wheels. The X88 Turbo S versions had another jump in power: dyno testing this car a few years ago showed 402 bhp and 556 Newton metres of torque.

Delivered straight to Ruf in Pfaffenhausen, the car was fitted with the Ruf electronic clutch system, which has since been removed. The car now runs a five-speed transmission, albeit still Ruf badged. Post Ruf, the 964 Turbo entered the Sultan’s collection where it remained until 2003, when it was sold back to the UK.

Porsche 964 Turbo S X88 Spec

Originally supplied through Porsche Centre Malaysia, the Horizon Blue exterior is matched with a Marine Blue full leather trim, featuring electric ‘Comfort’ seats and the X26 leather steering wheel with airbag (bespoke to the Sultan’s collection). Options on the air-cooled cars are always amusing compared to today’s plethora of PCM, PMS and the rest, but this has an on-board computer, rear window wiper and holder for cassettes and coins. Plush to the max.

It’s offered for sale at just under £200k. Given that a standard 911 964 Turbo with this mileage could sell pretty quickly for around £130k, it’s conceivable that someone will pay this.