Porsche 911
36 years: 1963 – 1998
Air-cooled Generation
Nein Won One
Porsche had intended to call their new sports car the 901, as they already had several racing models using the same numerical structure. However, after 82 examples of Porsche’s 356-replacement were built, French marque Peugeot objected to Porsche’s use of a zero in the middle of its model name as their models used this naming convention. To remedy this, Porsche simply swapped out the zero for a one.
Boosted Boys
Porsche were one of the first European brands to harness the power of the turbocharger back in the early 70s, with their ferocious turbo 12-cylinder 917/30 race car making over 1100hp in qualifying trim. They brought this power to the 911 in 1974, creating the 911 Turbo and building the first turbo supercar.
Nearly cancelled
The 1970s saw a slump in sports car sales and Porsche very nearly replaced the slow-selling 911 with a new, front-engined, rear-drive V8 grand tourer called the 928. However the engineers persisted in improving the 911 and it soon found a new lease on life in the 1980s, out-lasting the 928 by over 30 years so far.
Porsche 911
- Year manufactured : 1963-1973
The 911 debuted at the 1963 Frankfurth Motor Show as an all-new car to replace the 15-year-old, four-cylinder 356 model that had its roots in Volkswagen’s Beetle from the 1940s. Powered by a 2L air-cooled six-cylinder producing 128hp the first-generation was gradually upgraded over the ensuing years with improved mechanical specifications and new body styles (including an advanced Targa model with a removable roof panel).
The first generation 911s were improved on an almost yearly basis, but the model range generally consisted of the 911 S, 911 T, 911 E and 911 L, with limited edition models like the lightweight race-oriented 911 R, 911 ST, and Carrera 2.7 RS only being made in super-limited numbers.
Known as “long hood” models due to their full-length bonnet early cars were criticised for the rear weight bias and the unpredictable effects it had on handling at the limit. Porsche stretched the wheelbase of the 911 in 1969 to try and fix this, and significantly revised the suspension in 1972, greatly improving the on-limit handling.
Porsche G-series
- Year manufactured : 1974-1989
America was a vital market for Porsche so the USA’s pedestrian impact bumper laws saw the first major styling update for the 911 in 1974. This second-generation model stayed in production for an astonishing 15 years, remaining on sale through the end of the Watergate Scandal almost until the Berlin Wall came down.
These impact bumper models are loosely known as the “G Series” although that name officially only refers to 1974 model year cars. The air-cooled flat-six grew to a 2.7-litre unit based around a detuned’73 Carrera 2.7 RS motor, while Bosch K-Jetronic injection was offered on almost all variants. By 1978 the 911 was up to 3.0-litres and 180hp in the SC model, before growing to 3.2-litres and 228hp in 1984 with the 3.2 Carrera model.
Porsche released a full folding-roof convertible model, dubbed the 911 Cabriolet, in 1983. Fears the US would ban full convertibles in the 1960s caused Porsche to design the Targa model but, by the early 80s, demand for a conventional convertible was strong enough for Porsche to release it.
Porsche 930
- Years manufactured : 1975-1989
Following their success with turbocharged race cars in the early 1970s a turbo 911 was released in 1974. Porsche’s ultimate goal with the Turbo was to homologate their turbocharged Group 3, Group 4, and Group 5 racing cars, which required them to sell 400 examples of a regular road-going turbo model.
Boasting a 256hp 3.0-litre engine the new car, dubbed 930, was the fastest production car in Germany at the time, with wider bodywork, upgraded suspension and brakes, and bigger wheels compared to regular 911s. Initially a four-speed manual had to be offered as the five-speed used in the regular Carreras wasn’t strong enough to handle the power, and this means early 930s can run over 140km/h in first gear.
For 1978 Porsche increased the engine to 3.3-litres and the new intercooler helped it make 296hp which was incredible at the time. In 1985 widebody turbocharged Targa and Cabriolet variants were added, while a five-speed gearbox was finally offered in 1989, the final year for the 930.
Porsche 964
- Year manufactured : 1989-1994
The first all-new 911 since the model launched in 1964, the 964 was an all-or-nothing pitch to secure Porsche’s future. Offered initially as the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4, the rear-drive Carrera 2 soon joined the line-up, with coupe, Targa and convertible body styles.
Power came from a naturally aspirated electronically fuel-injected 250hp 3.6-litre air-cooled flat-six, while a choice of five-speed manual or Tiptronic automatic was a first. The 964 was praised for its vastly improved handling, quality finish, and luxury feel as Porsche began to move the 911 from regular sports car into a premium market segment.
In 1991 the 3.3L 316hp 964 Turbo was released, followed by the limited-edition 376hp Turbo S in 1992, and the 355hp 3.6-litre 964 Turbo 3.6 in 1994; one of the fastest road cars of the day and the hero car in the Will Smith movie Bad Boys. Other special high-performance models included the 964 Cup, and lightweight Carrera RS.
The Greatest
Many experts say the 1973-‘74 Carrera 2.7 RS is the greatest “classic” (air-cooled) 911. RS stands for Rennsport (“racing” in German) and this model was designed to homologate serious racing upgrades for the 911, with improved suspension, lighter weight, and more power it proved to be far sharper and more capable than the standard 911 models. Today they’re among the most expensive road-going Porsches you can buy, and one of the most sought-after cars of the 1970s.
Taste the Rainbow
While many German cars are traditionally purchased in shades of black, white, silver and grey the 911’s wildest colours have become almost as famous as the legendary model itself. Eye-searing hues like Speed Yellow, Mint Green, Rubystone, and Guards Red are prized by collectors and fans alike, especially on limited-edition high-performance models like the RS or Turbo S.
Porsche 993
- Year manufactured : 1995-1998
The final air-cooled 911 brought new levels of sophistication and luxury to the model, with the iconic shape slicked for the mid ‘90s and performance and equipment increased across the board. All-new multi-link suspension design and aluminium subframes helped cured the 911 of its lift-off oversteer, while pairing the revised 3.6-litre flat-six from the 964 to a new six-speed manual gearbox made for one of the best driving experiences out of Europe in the day.
Available in coupe, targa, and cabriolet, with rear-drive, or all-wheel-drive, manual or Tiptronic automatic, naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines, the 993 represented a huge expansion for the 911 range. There were also limited-edition models, including the Carrera RS and GT2 factory lightweight road/race cars.
The 993 Turbo and Turbo S models introduced four-wheel-drive grip and 402hp twin-turbo 3.6-litre flat-six power, giving it true supercar performance with a 296km/h top speed. The Turbo S was only offered at the end of the 993’s production run, boasting 450hp it is one of the most sought-after and valuable modern 911s today.
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911s today
More than 60 years since the model burst onto the world stage Porsche’s 911 stands as one of the most identifiable sports cars, and even regular pedestrian models are highly prized classics. Rare high-performance models like the 2.7 Carrera RS, 964 RS, or 993 Turbo S are worth many times their original purchase price.
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