The Porsche 911 has been turning heads since 1964. Over the decades, it has evolved from a nimble rear-engined sports car into one of the most respected performance machines in the world. While every 911 holds a place in automotive history, some are far more rare and sought after than others.
Throughout its long history, the Porsche 911 has produced a few models so rare, they’ve become automotive lore. Some were created for racing, others as limited-edition tributes or lightweight experiments. A few were built for just one customer. Whether air-cooled or water-cooled, each one represents a moment when Porsche pushed the envelope and created something truly special.
How These Models Were Chosen
This list focuses on factory-built Porsche 911s produced in especially low numbers, whether for racing, homologation, special commissions, or commemorative purposes. All vehicles included were officially manufactured or finished by Porsche or Porsche Exclusive, not aftermarket tuners or replicas. While production numbers vary, every model featured here had 350 or fewer units made, and many were created in double or even single digits.
Some of these 911s were built to push boundaries on the track. Others celebrated milestones or honored individuals. But all of them represent Porsche’s most exclusive and intentional builds.
Porsche 993 Turbo S—345 Built
In 1997, as the 993 generation neared the end of its run, Porsche introduced the Turbo S: a more powerful and exclusive version of its flagship model. It featured upgraded performance, improved handling, and subtle visual tweaks that set it apart from the standard Turbo.
The 993 Turbo S holds a special place in Porsche history as the final and most powerful air-cooled 911 Turbo model. Only 345 units were produced, with 183 delivered to the U.S., making it one of the most sought-after variants among collectors today.
Porsche 964 Turbo S Leichtbau—86 Built
“Leichtbau” means “lightweight,” and Porsche took that idea seriously with the 964 Turbo S Leichtbau. By removing sound insulation, rear seats, and air conditioning and adding lightweight panels, they trimmed about 400 pounds off the standard 964 Turbo.
It wasn’t just lighter; it was faster too. With over 60 extra horsepower, RS-spec suspension, and functional brake cooling intakes in the rear fenders, it became the fastest road-going 911 Porsche had ever built at the time. Only 86 examples left the factory.
Porsche 964 RS 3.8—55 Built
Built for homologation and performance, the Porsche 964 RS 3.8 is one of the rarest and most aggressive air-cooled 911s ever made. Only 55 were produced, each featuring the wider Turbo body, a massive fixed rear wing, and 18-inch Speedline wheels.
Its 3.8-liter engine delivered 300 horsepower, backed by RS-tuned suspension and upgraded brakes borrowed from the Turbo 3.6. Lightweight and track-focused, it remains a crown jewel for collectors.
Porsche 930 LE—50 Built
As a farewell to the original 911 Turbo, Porsche Exclusive built 50 Limited Edition (LE) models based on the 930. Though the 964 had already launched, these final 930s received unique bodywork, upgraded trim, and more power from the turbocharged flat-six.
Each car was hand-finished and fitted with performance enhancements, making the 930 LE a rare and fitting tribute to the turbo that helped define the 911’s legacy.
Porsche 911 ST—Fewer Than 30 Built
In the early 1970s, Porsche developed the 911 ST as a lightweight, race-ready version of the standard 911 to stay competitive in motorsport. Period sources and modern historians generally cite fewer than 30 true factory-built ST cars, with exact totals varying because many were built to individual customer specs.
What they shared were aggressive upgrades like wider fiberglass fenders, larger wheels, and tuned engines. The 911 ST laid the groundwork for future RS models and remains one of the most desirable vintage race-spec 911s.
Porsche 911R—19 Built
Introduced in 1967, the Porsche 911R was a lightweight, competition-focused 911 developed under Ferdinand Piëch. Porsche management ultimately decided to produce 19 examples, with 15 sold to customers and four retained by the factory for motorsport.
Because homologation as a regular Gran Tourismo model was not possible, Porsche entered the 911R in prototype class events rather than the production-based categories it was originally intended for. The 911R remains a key early example of Porsche’s obsession with performance through lightness.
Porsche 911 SC/RS—20 Built
To compete in the wild world of Group B rallying, Porsche built just 20 examples of the 911 SC/RS in 1984. Based on the road-going 911 SC, it featured lightweight body panels made from aluminum, including the doors, front trunk lid, and rear deck lid.
The suspension was heavily reinforced for rally use, and the 3.0-liter flat-six was tuned to produce 255 horsepower with a 7,500 rpm redline. Built for brutal terrain and high-speed stages, the SC/RS is one of the rarest and most capable rally-bred 911s ever made.
Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion—20 Built
Built to homologate Porsche’s Le Mans-winning GT1 race car, only 20 street-legal versions, known as Strassenversion, were produced. Though it loosely resembled the 996-generation 911, it was a purpose-built machine with the rear of a 962 and the front end of a 993.
Powered by a 3.2-liter twin-turbo flat-six, the 1997 version produced 544 PS (536 hp), reached 0 to 62 mph in about 3.9 seconds, and had a top speed of about 192 mph. It remains one of the most extreme and exclusive Porsche road cars ever made.
Porsche 991 Club Coupe—60 Built
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Porsche Club of America, Porsche built 60 examples of the 911 Carrera GTS Club Coupe. Mechanically, it was based on the 991.1 911 Carrera GTS, with 430 horsepower.
What set it apart were its unique details: Brewster Green paint, a ducktail spoiler, 20-inch SportTechno wheels, and “Club Coupe” markings on the doors and sills. Porsche kept one for its own collection, and the remaining 59 were offered to Porsche Club of America members.
Porsche 993 Speedster—2 Built
The 993 Speedster is one of the most obscure factory-built Porsche models, with only two examples ever made by Porsche Exclusive. Designed in the spirit of the original 356 Speedster, both cars were custom commissions.
One was built in 1995 for Ferdinand Alexander Porsche’s 60th birthday, finished in green. The second was commissioned by comedian and noted Porsche collector Jerry Seinfeld, based on a 1998 911 Cabriolet, and Porsche Exclusive completed the Speedster conversion in 2001 in silver. Neither car was offered to the public, making them near-mythical among collectors.
Porsche 935 Street—1 Built
While Porsche built numerous 935 race cars, only one was officially made street legal by the factory. Commissioned in 1983 by Mansour Ojjeh, founder of the TAG Group, this one-off was the first project completed by Porsche Exclusive.
It featured a 3.3-liter turbocharged flat-six producing 375 horsepower, wrapped in custom red paint developed specifically for the car. As a unique, factory-built road car based on a full-blown racer, the 935 Street remains one of the rarest Porsches ever created.
Why These Cars Still Matter
Rarity alone doesn’t make a car special, but with the Porsche 911, it often comes with a story. From lightweight rally specials to one-off gifts and Le Mans legends in road-going form, these cars capture moments in Porsche’s history when performance and purpose came together in something unforgettable.
For collectors and enthusiasts alike, these models show just how far Porsche was willing to go to innovate, compete, and create something timeless. Whether you’re lucky enough to see one in person or just admire them from afar, these are the 911s that truly stand apart.