Few cars have kept the same basic shape for more than sixty years. The Porsche 911 is one of them. For Porsche enthusiasts, though, there is one special era: the 35 years when the 911 had an air-cooled engine, from 1963 to 1998. The distinctive sound of the air-cooled flat-six, a little like a Beetle and a little like an aeroplane, is for many people the sound of Porsche.
Photo: Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
From 901 to 911
The new Porsche was unveiled at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show as the successor to the 356. It was designed by Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche, grandson of the founder. At first it was called the 901. Peugeot, however, held the rights in France to three-digit names with a zero in the middle, so Porsche changed it to 911.
The engine was a 2.0-litre flat-six with about 130 horsepower, mounted behind the rear axle. That position gave excellent traction under acceleration, but made the car demanding if the driver lifted off mid-corner. The 911 taught generations of drivers to respect physics.
Targa, S and Carrera RS
In 1967 came the Targa, with a removable roof and a fixed roll bar, and the more powerful 911 S. The engine grew gradually, to 2.2 and 2.4 litres. In 1973 Porsche built the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 to homologate it for racing. It was lighter, had 210 horsepower and a small rear spoiler the Germans called the “Entenbürzel”, the duck’s tail. Porsche planned to build 500. In the end it sold over 1,500. Today many consider it the best classic 911.
Photo: MrWalkr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Turbo, SC and Carrera 3.2
In 1974 the 911 got big bumpers to meet American safety rules. The same year the 911 Turbo, the 930, appeared, with a turbocharged 3.0 engine. It was one of the fastest cars of its time and became famous for “turbo lag”, the delay before all the power arrived at once.
At the end of the 1970s Porsche considered ending the 911 and replacing it with the 928. Customers would not accept it. The 911 SC (1978–1983) and the Carrera 3.2 (1984–1989) kept the brand alive and are today among the most affordable and reliable classic 911s.
Photo: Lothar Spurzem / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 de
964 and 993: the end of an era
In 1989 came the 964, an almost all-new 911 with power steering, ABS and the first four-wheel-drive Carrera 4. In 1994 the 993 followed, with rounder lines and a more advanced rear suspension. Many consider the 993 the most beautiful 911 of all. It was also the last air-cooled one. In 1998 the water-cooled 996 arrived, and an era ended.
Today air-cooled 911s are among the most sought-after classic cars. Their prices have risen a lot over the last decade. If you want to enter their world, a good 911 SC or Carrera 3.2 is the most sensible starting point. Check for rust, oil leaks and the engine’s history. And then enjoy the sound.
P.Kefalas