1973 911T  | 1973 911 RSR | 1973 911S | 1973 911 RS Carrera | 1973 911E |
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1972 Porsche 911E news, pictures, and information | ||
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 | Coupe Chassis Num: 9112200522 | |
| Sold for $41,250 at 2007 RM Auctions. | ||
As the body shape of the 356 Series became dated over the years, Porsche management decided to introduce a replacement. Near the close of the 1950s Ferdinand Porsche began designing a body for a new car that would continue in the Porsche tradition. The resulting vehicle was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963 as the 901. Before Porsche went to production in 1964, the name was changed to 911 as Peugeot had copyrighted all combinations of three numbers with a zero in the middle.
The Porsche 911 was one of the more nimble and sporty cars to traverse the road. Its rear engine design and lightweight, small and aerodynamic body was a perfect combination.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007
The legendary Porsche 911 is the longest production run sports car of all time. It was conceived as a successor for the highly successful Porsche 356 and from the start had high aspirations for success. Ferry Porsche's son, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designed the 911. When it went into production it was labeled the 901 but Peugeot had claims to the name, so to avoid infringing on their naming scheme, it was changed to 911. As a result, only a few Porsches used the 901 name.
901
The Porsche 901, the forerunner for the famous 911, was the first 'new' vehicle Porsche had ever produced.
Prior to the 901, there was the 356. This vehicle had lived a relatively long lifespan and was nearing its end, both in mechanical capabilities and in appeal. Many variations of the 356 had appeared during its production-run, most improvements where mechanical with very few visual improvements. Albeit, the 356 was a very beautiful car and improvements to its design were not necessary.
In the Mid-1950's, the Porsche company began producing prototypes for the successor of the 356. The result was a vehicle built on the same unitary structure used for the 356 but with a new front suspension, front disc brakes, and a six-cylinder engine.
The Porsche 901 was introduced to the public in 1963 at the Frankfurt Motorshow. The silhouette body was available only in fixed-head coupe form. In 1967 a Targa bodystyle became available featuring a removable center roof section. The 1991 cc flat-six engine was air-cooled. It's 2-litre capacity was the same as its predecessor. The six-cylinder engine was chosen over the four to allow more room for growth and improvement in the future. Two Solex carburetors aided in the 130 horsepower output and was capable of a 130 mph top speed.
912
The Porsche 912 was similar in design to the 911 and eased the transition from the 356 to the 911. In comparison with the 911, the 912 had fewer amenities, less power, and weighed about 250 pounds less. A 5-speed gearbox was matted to a detuned 356-based 4-cylinder engine that produced 64 horsepower. The engine was mounted in the rear and powered the rear transaxle. Disc brakes and independent suspension with torsion bars gave the car excellent and impressive handling. The Recaro seats kept the driver planted and the rack-and-pinion steering was very responsive. For an additional cost, the owner could have air-conditioning, rear window wiper, halogen fog lights, electric sunroof, and/or three-point seatbelts.
The 912 came in both the coupe and targa flavors with the coupe being the more popular. About 2562 of the 34,959 912's were targas.
The 912 was offered to the public in 1965 and stayed in production until 1969 when the mid-engined 914 was introduced. Due to its low cost, it easily outsold the more powerful 911's during the first few years. In
1967, the 912 was awarded Car and Driver's 'Readers Choice' for its class. During that same year a 912, driven by Sobieslaw Zasada of Poland, won the European Rally Championship.
At the end of the 914 production in late 1975, a version of the 912, dubbed the 912E, was introduced. Internally, the vehicle was labeled the Type 923. The 'E' stood for 'Einspritzung', in German meaning 'fuel injection'. It was powered by a 2-liter, 914-derived fuel-injected engine and had had Bosch L-jetronic fuel injection and an air pump. It used the 911 body, but has smaller wheels and tires and non-vented brake rotors. The fuel-efficient engine, rising fuel costs, and lower speed limits made the 912E a safe-buy. After 2099 examples were produced, the 924 entered the scene. The 912E was the last air-cooled four-cylinder vehicle produced by Porsche.
During its production run that include the 912 and 912E, nearly 35,000 examples were produced. It had achieved victory in the racing world, served as European police cars, and was featured in the movie 'Spy Games' staring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt.
911 Targa
In 1965 the Targa was introduced. This was an open version of the 911. The Name Targa came from a road race in Sicily named 'Targa Florio'. Targa also meant 'Shield' used to describe the rollbar. The rear window could fold down while the panel between windshield and rollbar could be lifted off creating an open version of the 911.
911 S
In 1966 the 911 S was introduced as a better equipped and more powerful version of the standard 911. It featured engine modifications that resulted in 30 extra horsepower. The chassis was modified and bigger brakes were installed. An extra 5 pounds was saved from each corner of the car by using Fuch alloy wheels.
To increase sales, the 911 T was added to the line-up in 1967. This version had a de-tuned six-cylinder engine and produced 110 horsepower. It appealed to many buyers due to its attractive price, selling at a reduced cost from the base 911. Also in 1967, the 911S received ventilated disc brakes on all four corners.
In 1968, the Porsche 911S was no longer being exported to the United States due to new emissions and government standards and regulations. Porsche introduced a 911 L as a replacement which was basically a 911 S without the engine modifications. In 1969, the 911 S was once again allowed into the United States.
In 1969 the 911 E, the base model, was available with 140 horsepower for the United States and 160 horsepower for the European market. The 911 T had 125 horsepower on tap from the six-cylinder engine while the 911 S was available in the United States with 170 horsepower. The European version featured even more horsepower, rated at 190. A five-speed manual gearbox was introduced.
In 1970 the engine bore was enlarged by 4mm and increased the engine capacity to 2165 cc. This made the six-cylinder engine more powerful. The 911T was rated at 125 horsepower, the 911 E was rated 155 horsepower while the 911S was now producing 180 horsepower.
During the 1970 model year, a performance version of the 911S was created by removing amenities and using light-weight material wherever possible. Aluminum was used on the bumper and engine-lid, the interior received light-weight seats, and the door handles were replaced with cords. The result was a 1840 pounds street legal race car.
In 1972 a spoiler was standard on the 911 S but was optional on the 911 E and 911 T. In 1973, due to popularity, the spoiler became standard on all 911 models. The stroke of the engine was increased giving the engine a 2.4 liter displacement.
Carrera RS
In 1973, Porsche wanted to compete in GT competition. In order to qualify, the manufacturer had to satisfy homologation rules for the Group 4 GT class that stated that 500 examples needed to be produced and sold to the public. Porsche knew that it would be difficult to sell 500 race cars so they built street legal race cars and kept the sticker price low. The RS was an immediate popular and at the end of the production run, 1636 examples were produced. Due to the successful sales, the RS was reclassified as a Group 3 series-production GT which required at least 1000 examples be produced.
The RS was stripped of nonessential amenities to save weight. A thin-gauge body steel and fiberglass was used for most of the vehicles but the supply ran short and at least 300 cars were outfitted with the normal-weight body parts. When compared with the stock 911S, the RS using the thin-gauge steel weighed 330 pounds less.
Wider aluminum wheels, Bilstein shocks, and modified sway bars gave the RS extra handling advantages. A rear spoiler was molded into the engine cover giving the RS the nickname 'ducktail'. This gave the vehicle extra down-force at speed and aided in stability. Other distinguishing features of the RS was its name painted, typically in green, black, red or blue, above the rocker panels. The engine was a modified version of the Porsche 911 2.4 engine. It featured a bigger bore that resulted in greater displacement and horsepower.
Carrera RSR 3.0
The RSR 3.0 had 20 extra horsepower than the 2.7 version. It had a large front spoiler, large rectangular air intake, 9 inch rear wheels, and 8 inch front wheels. Since the thing-gauge body steel supply had been depleted and larger items had been placed on the RSR vehicle, the vehicle weighed 180 kg more than the 2.7. All this meant that the RSR was not much quicker than the 2.7. However, it did have better road-handling due to the wider tires.
During its production lifespan only 109 examples were produced with 60 outfitted as road going machines.
911 Weissach
The 911 SC Weissach, produced only in 1980, was a limited edition design and only 400 units were constructed (Some sources states 406. In either case, a small amount were constructed and even fewer are known to exist today). All were sold to the United States. 200 were painted in Pongee Beige Metallic while the remaining 200 received a metallic charcoal gray color. The interior had red/burgundy carpet and beige leather seats. An RS wing was placed in the rear while the front received a new spoiler. All of the 911 SC Weissach's were coupes, had normally aspirated engines, and were fitted with the 903 body. They were sold at a price of $32,000, a high price at the time.
911
In 1973 the 911E, 911T, and 911S used a 2.4 liter six-cylinder engine. In 1974 the Carrera name was added to the line-up and represented the performance option. The 911S became the middle model with its performance and trim equivalent to the former 911E.
The Carrera was distinguished by its many exterior components colored in black. For example, the door handles, wipers, and window frames were black.
In 1974 the Porsche 911 Turbo was introduced and is credited as being the world's first production turbocharged sports car. Using a 3.0 liter engine and equipped with a turbocharger, it was capable of producing 290 horsepower.
In 1976, the Carrera was outfitted with the 3.0 liter engine and produced 200 horsepower.
In 1978, there were only two options available for the 911, the Turbo and the SC. The 911 SC used the 3.0 liter engine because it was more reliable and offered more opportunity for tuning in the future. the 3.0 liter engine was rated at 180 horsepower. The 2.7 liter engine was no longer used. When compared to the 1977 Carrera 3.0, the SC was more luxurious but had less horsepower. The luxury items added to the overall weight of the vehicle which decreased the performance. Still, the 911 SC was an extremely popular car. The 911 Turbo received a 3.3 liter engine and was able to produce 300 horsepower.
In 1979 the 911 SC's engine received modifications increasing the horsepower rating to 188 while improving fuel economy by 10 percent.
In 1980 the entire 911 model-line receive extra power except those slated for exportation to the United States. The 911 SC was now producing 204 horsepower.
At the 1981 Frankfurt Auto Show Porsche introduced a four-wheel drive cabriolet version of the 911. A year later, the cabriolet went on sale as optional equipment on the 911 SC. It was the first cabriolet for Porsche since the 356.
In 1984 the 911 SC 3.0 engine was replaced by the new Carrera with a 3.2 engine. The 911 Tubro and 911 Carrera were the only bodystyles available however could be ordered in coupe, cabriolet or Targa options. The Carrera was better than its 911 SC predecessor. It offered more luxury and power, and better brakes. The 3.2 Liter engine was used until the 1989 model year. It was replaced by a 3.6 liter version.
The 1988 the turbo became standard with a five-speed manual gearbox.
In 1989 Porsche introduced the Carrera 3.2 Speedster. The top could fold to the back and be placed beneath a fiberglass cover. The Speedster was void of most electrical options including power seats which made it lighter than the standard car. In total, there were 2065 Speedsters production, 1894 with the turbo-look. The Turbo look gave the vehicle an aggressive stance but it also added weight to the vehicle. It was, however, a very popular option.
911 Carrera CS
The limited-edition 911 Carrera CS, meaning Club Sport, was introduced in 1987. This version was meant for the race track. This light-weight version was void of amenities and equipped with only the essential items. The CS is distinguished from other 911's by its red wheels and bright graphics. Most were painted in 'Grand-Prix' white and all were coupes, except for one specially-built Targa. At the end of the Carrera CS production run, 340 examples were produced.
Carrera 2 and 4
In 1989 the 911 was given a 3.6 liter engine, new suspension, new transmission, self-adjusting spoiler, plastic aerodynamic bumpers, and new brakes. It was over 80% different when compared to the previous year. The big news for this year was the introduction of the Carrera 4, a four-wheel drive version of the 911.
The 1989 Porsche 911 received major improvements in the performance and handling department. At speeds greater than 50 mph, the rear spoiler would fold out and improving stability. The bigger brakes gave the 911 better stopping power while the suspension held the car in place as it would go through sharp turns.
In 1990 the Carrera 2 and Carrera 4 could be purchased in Cabriolet, Targa and Coupe body-styles. A Tiptronic transmission was introduced which is a gearbox that does not require a clutch. The Tiptronic allows the driver to shift manually or have the system automatically shift.
Carrera RS
In 1990 Porsche introduced the Carrera RS series. It featured a modified version of the Carrera engine now producing 260 horsepower. It had Recaro seats and light-weight material. The interior was void of non-essential items. An aluminum hood, light-weight doors and windows, and various other methods and materials were used to make the vehicle as light as possible. There was an RS touring option which included a few items to make the vehicle more road worthy. In total 2051 Carrera RS models were created with 76 being equipped with the touring option.
Carrera RS America
In 1993, Porsche created a light-weight, limited edition, performance version of the 911 Carrera. It was dubbed the RS America. The year 1993 was selected because it commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the 911 Carrera RS. 'RS' is German for 'Renn Sport' or 'Race Sport'.
The Carrera RS was conceived in 1973 but only available to the European market. The United States had strict safety, emission, and government regulations that made it impossible for the original RS to be sold in America. The 1993 Carrera RS was built to satisfy European regulation while a limited were built for the American regulations. The ones that made it to America were labeled 'RS America.'
The RS America was lightweight, contained little luxury features, and highly-modified performance options. The M030 sports suspension package, 17 inch wheels, larger diameter front stabilizer bar, and modified shock absorbers were just a few of the modifications to the 911. By using weight reduction, refinements in the steering, suspension, tires and wheels, the 911 RS America was a high performance racing car.
The RS in America was very successful. What was only intended to last for 1993, rolled into the 1994 model year. Vehicles that were sold during 1993 have 'PS' in their VIN numbers, while the 1994 versions have 'RS'. The 1994 models have rear seats while the 1993 versions have dual-storage bins.
The RS is distinguished from other 911's by a 'RS' decal located in front of each rear wheel well and an RS America rear deck lid emblem. A large spoiler, commonly referred to as a 'whaletale', was fixed to the rear of the vehicle. Various versions of the 911 had a spoiler that was motor-driven and deployed and stowed at various vehicle speeds.
993
In 1994 the next generation of the Porsche 911 was introduced and only available in coupe form. Internally it was dubbed the 993. Aesthetically and mechanically, the vehicle was different from its previous versions. The upright headlights were removed; it received a front wing, wider fenders, 16 inch wheels, and new bumpers. Under the hood, the 3.6 liter engine was modified to produce 260 horsepower. A six-speed manual gearbox was all new. The chassis size was increased giving 20% extra interior room. Major improvements were done to the interior giving it new seats, new steering wheel, and making the console, buttons and gauges more driver-friendly.
In 1995 a Targa was introduced. But the big news was in 1996 when a Turbo, Carrera 4S, RS, and RS Club Sport became available.
996
In 1998 the next generation of the Porsche 911, the 996 was introduced. A 296 horsepower, water-cooled engine was all new. The new engine was more powerful, fuel efficient, and offered better performance even though it was smaller in size. The length of the car was increased; a new suspension, headlights, and styling modifications have been adapted throughout the vehicle.
Shortly after the introduction of the next generation 911, a cabriolet version became available. Instead of the top being folded on-top of the bodywork, it now folded into it.
Conclusion
Since its introduction in 1963 to the present, the 911 has stood the test of time both on the race track and in owner's garages. It is one of the few designs that have had such a long history. It has been offered in over 50 different forms including rear wheel, 4wd, cabriolet, Targa, coupe, Speedsters, light weight, club sport, RS, anniversary editions, limited editions, and multiple other options, designs, and features. The 911 has set and raised the bar in terms of technology, performance, design, and handling.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2006
For more information and related vehicles, click here901
The Porsche 901, the forerunner for the famous 911, was the first 'new' vehicle Porsche had ever produced.
Prior to the 901, there was the 356. This vehicle had lived a relatively long lifespan and was nearing its end, both in mechanical capabilities and in appeal. Many variations of the 356 had appeared during its production-run, most improvements where mechanical with very few visual improvements. Albeit, the 356 was a very beautiful car and improvements to its design were not necessary.
In the Mid-1950's, the Porsche company began producing prototypes for the successor of the 356. The result was a vehicle built on the same unitary structure used for the 356 but with a new front suspension, front disc brakes, and a six-cylinder engine.
The Porsche 901 was introduced to the public in 1963 at the Frankfurt Motorshow. The silhouette body was available only in fixed-head coupe form. In 1967 a Targa bodystyle became available featuring a removable center roof section. The 1991 cc flat-six engine was air-cooled. It's 2-litre capacity was the same as its predecessor. The six-cylinder engine was chosen over the four to allow more room for growth and improvement in the future. Two Solex carburetors aided in the 130 horsepower output and was capable of a 130 mph top speed.
912
The Porsche 912 was similar in design to the 911 and eased the transition from the 356 to the 911. In comparison with the 911, the 912 had fewer amenities, less power, and weighed about 250 pounds less. A 5-speed gearbox was matted to a detuned 356-based 4-cylinder engine that produced 64 horsepower. The engine was mounted in the rear and powered the rear transaxle. Disc brakes and independent suspension with torsion bars gave the car excellent and impressive handling. The Recaro seats kept the driver planted and the rack-and-pinion steering was very responsive. For an additional cost, the owner could have air-conditioning, rear window wiper, halogen fog lights, electric sunroof, and/or three-point seatbelts.
The 912 came in both the coupe and targa flavors with the coupe being the more popular. About 2562 of the 34,959 912's were targas.
The 912 was offered to the public in 1965 and stayed in production until 1969 when the mid-engined 914 was introduced. Due to its low cost, it easily outsold the more powerful 911's during the first few years. In
1967, the 912 was awarded Car and Driver's 'Readers Choice' for its class. During that same year a 912, driven by Sobieslaw Zasada of Poland, won the European Rally Championship.
At the end of the 914 production in late 1975, a version of the 912, dubbed the 912E, was introduced. Internally, the vehicle was labeled the Type 923. The 'E' stood for 'Einspritzung', in German meaning 'fuel injection'. It was powered by a 2-liter, 914-derived fuel-injected engine and had had Bosch L-jetronic fuel injection and an air pump. It used the 911 body, but has smaller wheels and tires and non-vented brake rotors. The fuel-efficient engine, rising fuel costs, and lower speed limits made the 912E a safe-buy. After 2099 examples were produced, the 924 entered the scene. The 912E was the last air-cooled four-cylinder vehicle produced by Porsche.
During its production run that include the 912 and 912E, nearly 35,000 examples were produced. It had achieved victory in the racing world, served as European police cars, and was featured in the movie 'Spy Games' staring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt.
911 Targa
In 1965 the Targa was introduced. This was an open version of the 911. The Name Targa came from a road race in Sicily named 'Targa Florio'. Targa also meant 'Shield' used to describe the rollbar. The rear window could fold down while the panel between windshield and rollbar could be lifted off creating an open version of the 911.
911 S
In 1966 the 911 S was introduced as a better equipped and more powerful version of the standard 911. It featured engine modifications that resulted in 30 extra horsepower. The chassis was modified and bigger brakes were installed. An extra 5 pounds was saved from each corner of the car by using Fuch alloy wheels.
To increase sales, the 911 T was added to the line-up in 1967. This version had a de-tuned six-cylinder engine and produced 110 horsepower. It appealed to many buyers due to its attractive price, selling at a reduced cost from the base 911. Also in 1967, the 911S received ventilated disc brakes on all four corners.
In 1968, the Porsche 911S was no longer being exported to the United States due to new emissions and government standards and regulations. Porsche introduced a 911 L as a replacement which was basically a 911 S without the engine modifications. In 1969, the 911 S was once again allowed into the United States.
In 1969 the 911 E, the base model, was available with 140 horsepower for the United States and 160 horsepower for the European market. The 911 T had 125 horsepower on tap from the six-cylinder engine while the 911 S was available in the United States with 170 horsepower. The European version featured even more horsepower, rated at 190. A five-speed manual gearbox was introduced.
In 1970 the engine bore was enlarged by 4mm and increased the engine capacity to 2165 cc. This made the six-cylinder engine more powerful. The 911T was rated at 125 horsepower, the 911 E was rated 155 horsepower while the 911S was now producing 180 horsepower.
During the 1970 model year, a performance version of the 911S was created by removing amenities and using light-weight material wherever possible. Aluminum was used on the bumper and engine-lid, the interior received light-weight seats, and the door handles were replaced with cords. The result was a 1840 pounds street legal race car.
In 1972 a spoiler was standard on the 911 S but was optional on the 911 E and 911 T. In 1973, due to popularity, the spoiler became standard on all 911 models. The stroke of the engine was increased giving the engine a 2.4 liter displacement.
Carrera RS
In 1973, Porsche wanted to compete in GT competition. In order to qualify, the manufacturer had to satisfy homologation rules for the Group 4 GT class that stated that 500 examples needed to be produced and sold to the public. Porsche knew that it would be difficult to sell 500 race cars so they built street legal race cars and kept the sticker price low. The RS was an immediate popular and at the end of the production run, 1636 examples were produced. Due to the successful sales, the RS was reclassified as a Group 3 series-production GT which required at least 1000 examples be produced.
The RS was stripped of nonessential amenities to save weight. A thin-gauge body steel and fiberglass was used for most of the vehicles but the supply ran short and at least 300 cars were outfitted with the normal-weight body parts. When compared with the stock 911S, the RS using the thin-gauge steel weighed 330 pounds less.
Wider aluminum wheels, Bilstein shocks, and modified sway bars gave the RS extra handling advantages. A rear spoiler was molded into the engine cover giving the RS the nickname 'ducktail'. This gave the vehicle extra down-force at speed and aided in stability. Other distinguishing features of the RS was its name painted, typically in green, black, red or blue, above the rocker panels. The engine was a modified version of the Porsche 911 2.4 engine. It featured a bigger bore that resulted in greater displacement and horsepower.
Carrera RSR 3.0
The RSR 3.0 had 20 extra horsepower than the 2.7 version. It had a large front spoiler, large rectangular air intake, 9 inch rear wheels, and 8 inch front wheels. Since the thing-gauge body steel supply had been depleted and larger items had been placed on the RSR vehicle, the vehicle weighed 180 kg more than the 2.7. All this meant that the RSR was not much quicker than the 2.7. However, it did have better road-handling due to the wider tires.
During its production lifespan only 109 examples were produced with 60 outfitted as road going machines.
911 Weissach
The 911 SC Weissach, produced only in 1980, was a limited edition design and only 400 units were constructed (Some sources states 406. In either case, a small amount were constructed and even fewer are known to exist today). All were sold to the United States. 200 were painted in Pongee Beige Metallic while the remaining 200 received a metallic charcoal gray color. The interior had red/burgundy carpet and beige leather seats. An RS wing was placed in the rear while the front received a new spoiler. All of the 911 SC Weissach's were coupes, had normally aspirated engines, and were fitted with the 903 body. They were sold at a price of $32,000, a high price at the time.
911
In 1973 the 911E, 911T, and 911S used a 2.4 liter six-cylinder engine. In 1974 the Carrera name was added to the line-up and represented the performance option. The 911S became the middle model with its performance and trim equivalent to the former 911E.
The Carrera was distinguished by its many exterior components colored in black. For example, the door handles, wipers, and window frames were black.
In 1974 the Porsche 911 Turbo was introduced and is credited as being the world's first production turbocharged sports car. Using a 3.0 liter engine and equipped with a turbocharger, it was capable of producing 290 horsepower.
In 1976, the Carrera was outfitted with the 3.0 liter engine and produced 200 horsepower.
In 1978, there were only two options available for the 911, the Turbo and the SC. The 911 SC used the 3.0 liter engine because it was more reliable and offered more opportunity for tuning in the future. the 3.0 liter engine was rated at 180 horsepower. The 2.7 liter engine was no longer used. When compared to the 1977 Carrera 3.0, the SC was more luxurious but had less horsepower. The luxury items added to the overall weight of the vehicle which decreased the performance. Still, the 911 SC was an extremely popular car. The 911 Turbo received a 3.3 liter engine and was able to produce 300 horsepower.
In 1979 the 911 SC's engine received modifications increasing the horsepower rating to 188 while improving fuel economy by 10 percent.
In 1980 the entire 911 model-line receive extra power except those slated for exportation to the United States. The 911 SC was now producing 204 horsepower.
At the 1981 Frankfurt Auto Show Porsche introduced a four-wheel drive cabriolet version of the 911. A year later, the cabriolet went on sale as optional equipment on the 911 SC. It was the first cabriolet for Porsche since the 356.
In 1984 the 911 SC 3.0 engine was replaced by the new Carrera with a 3.2 engine. The 911 Tubro and 911 Carrera were the only bodystyles available however could be ordered in coupe, cabriolet or Targa options. The Carrera was better than its 911 SC predecessor. It offered more luxury and power, and better brakes. The 3.2 Liter engine was used until the 1989 model year. It was replaced by a 3.6 liter version.
The 1988 the turbo became standard with a five-speed manual gearbox.
In 1989 Porsche introduced the Carrera 3.2 Speedster. The top could fold to the back and be placed beneath a fiberglass cover. The Speedster was void of most electrical options including power seats which made it lighter than the standard car. In total, there were 2065 Speedsters production, 1894 with the turbo-look. The Turbo look gave the vehicle an aggressive stance but it also added weight to the vehicle. It was, however, a very popular option.
911 Carrera CS
The limited-edition 911 Carrera CS, meaning Club Sport, was introduced in 1987. This version was meant for the race track. This light-weight version was void of amenities and equipped with only the essential items. The CS is distinguished from other 911's by its red wheels and bright graphics. Most were painted in 'Grand-Prix' white and all were coupes, except for one specially-built Targa. At the end of the Carrera CS production run, 340 examples were produced.
Carrera 2 and 4
In 1989 the 911 was given a 3.6 liter engine, new suspension, new transmission, self-adjusting spoiler, plastic aerodynamic bumpers, and new brakes. It was over 80% different when compared to the previous year. The big news for this year was the introduction of the Carrera 4, a four-wheel drive version of the 911.
The 1989 Porsche 911 received major improvements in the performance and handling department. At speeds greater than 50 mph, the rear spoiler would fold out and improving stability. The bigger brakes gave the 911 better stopping power while the suspension held the car in place as it would go through sharp turns.
In 1990 the Carrera 2 and Carrera 4 could be purchased in Cabriolet, Targa and Coupe body-styles. A Tiptronic transmission was introduced which is a gearbox that does not require a clutch. The Tiptronic allows the driver to shift manually or have the system automatically shift.
Carrera RS
In 1990 Porsche introduced the Carrera RS series. It featured a modified version of the Carrera engine now producing 260 horsepower. It had Recaro seats and light-weight material. The interior was void of non-essential items. An aluminum hood, light-weight doors and windows, and various other methods and materials were used to make the vehicle as light as possible. There was an RS touring option which included a few items to make the vehicle more road worthy. In total 2051 Carrera RS models were created with 76 being equipped with the touring option.
Carrera RS America
In 1993, Porsche created a light-weight, limited edition, performance version of the 911 Carrera. It was dubbed the RS America. The year 1993 was selected because it commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the 911 Carrera RS. 'RS' is German for 'Renn Sport' or 'Race Sport'.
The Carrera RS was conceived in 1973 but only available to the European market. The United States had strict safety, emission, and government regulations that made it impossible for the original RS to be sold in America. The 1993 Carrera RS was built to satisfy European regulation while a limited were built for the American regulations. The ones that made it to America were labeled 'RS America.'
The RS America was lightweight, contained little luxury features, and highly-modified performance options. The M030 sports suspension package, 17 inch wheels, larger diameter front stabilizer bar, and modified shock absorbers were just a few of the modifications to the 911. By using weight reduction, refinements in the steering, suspension, tires and wheels, the 911 RS America was a high performance racing car.
The RS in America was very successful. What was only intended to last for 1993, rolled into the 1994 model year. Vehicles that were sold during 1993 have 'PS' in their VIN numbers, while the 1994 versions have 'RS'. The 1994 models have rear seats while the 1993 versions have dual-storage bins.
The RS is distinguished from other 911's by a 'RS' decal located in front of each rear wheel well and an RS America rear deck lid emblem. A large spoiler, commonly referred to as a 'whaletale', was fixed to the rear of the vehicle. Various versions of the 911 had a spoiler that was motor-driven and deployed and stowed at various vehicle speeds.
993
In 1994 the next generation of the Porsche 911 was introduced and only available in coupe form. Internally it was dubbed the 993. Aesthetically and mechanically, the vehicle was different from its previous versions. The upright headlights were removed; it received a front wing, wider fenders, 16 inch wheels, and new bumpers. Under the hood, the 3.6 liter engine was modified to produce 260 horsepower. A six-speed manual gearbox was all new. The chassis size was increased giving 20% extra interior room. Major improvements were done to the interior giving it new seats, new steering wheel, and making the console, buttons and gauges more driver-friendly.
In 1995 a Targa was introduced. But the big news was in 1996 when a Turbo, Carrera 4S, RS, and RS Club Sport became available.
996
In 1998 the next generation of the Porsche 911, the 996 was introduced. A 296 horsepower, water-cooled engine was all new. The new engine was more powerful, fuel efficient, and offered better performance even though it was smaller in size. The length of the car was increased; a new suspension, headlights, and styling modifications have been adapted throughout the vehicle.
Shortly after the introduction of the next generation 911, a cabriolet version became available. Instead of the top being folded on-top of the bodywork, it now folded into it.
Conclusion
Since its introduction in 1963 to the present, the 911 has stood the test of time both on the race track and in owner's garages. It is one of the few designs that have had such a long history. It has been offered in over 50 different forms including rear wheel, 4wd, cabriolet, Targa, coupe, Speedsters, light weight, club sport, RS, anniversary editions, limited editions, and multiple other options, designs, and features. The 911 has set and raised the bar in terms of technology, performance, design, and handling.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2006
| Prince Heinrich Benz Racers Reunited at 'The Amelia' | |
 | In the early 1900's, at the dawn of the automotive motorsport age, one of the most significant race venues was the Prinz Heinrich Tour, named after Prince Albert Wilhelm Heinrich of Prussia, automotive enthusiast and brother of German Emperor Wilhelm II. In 1907, the German Imperial Automobile Club organized the first annual Prinz Heinrich Tour which is often seen as a precursor to the German Grand Prix. Among the races' most notable winners were Fritz Erle who won the 1908 race in a 50 h...[Read more...] |
| NIGHT OF THE WHITE GLOVES AT THE BMW MUSEUM. BMW HISTORY – A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE. | |
 | Touching the exhibits in a museum? Normally that's a big no-no which you ignore at your peril. But as we all know, forbidden fruit is the sweetest – and that's why the BMW Museum is opening its doors on Friday, 23 November for the fifth edition of its 'Night of the White Gloves'. From 7 p.m. onwards, visitors will don a pair of white gloves and be free to stroke the cars they would normally be allowed to caress with their eyes only. 'The 'Night of the White Gloves' is a unique event in the museu...[Read more...] |
| Six Decades Of Ferrari At Mecum's Daytime Auction | |
 | 1954 Ferrari 750 Monza Headlines Select Offering of Italian Illuminati Mecum Auctions will present its 4th annual Monterey Daytime Auction, Aug. 16-18, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf course, featuring some of finest machines Ferrari has ever produced headlined by a 1954 750 Monza Spyder Scaglietti. By turns part of the Engelbert Stieger, Brando Wang, Walter Burani and Roberto Crippa collections, 1954 Ferrari 750 Monza Spyder Scaglietti S/N 0462MD...[Read more...] |
| Lost Mercedes - Surfaces At Bonhams | |
 | One owner, unrestored, supercharged 'S' Type Mercedes to be sold by Bonhams at Goodwood Revival this autumn One of the greatest and most important motor car finds of the last decade, the 'Lost Mercedes' is to be offered at Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale on Saturday 15th September 2012. Bonhams announced today that it has been commissioned to sell a recently discovered 1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 'S' Type Sports Tourer which almost without precedent for motor cars of this type and d...[Read more...] |
| 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans: The Rise of Two Counts | |
 | The 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans would end up being the darkest day in all of motorsport when Pierre Levegh launched off the back of Lance Macklin's Austin-Healey and crashed into a barrier sending large portions of the car flying through the air acting like guillotines to the record crowd crammed along the main straight. It would be estimated that more than eighty would lose their life as a result, scores more would be severely injured. Yet, despite the graphic horror of the event the race would co...[Read more...] |
 1972
Porsche
models |
| Porsche 911 |
| Porsche 911 RSR |
| Porsche 911S |
| Porsche 911T |
| Porsche 914/6 |
| Porsche 917/10 |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Aston Martin | Bentley |
| Bugatti | Devon |
| Ferrari | GTA |
| Koenigsegg | Lamborghini |
| Lotus | Maserati |
| Maybach | McLaren |
| Rolls-Royce | Spyker |
| Tesla | |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1972 |
| Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce |
| BMW 2002 |
| BMW Turbo Concept |
| Datsun 240Z |
| Ferrari 246 Dino |
| Fiat 124 |
| Fiat 128 |
| Ford Pinto |
| Jensen Healey |
| Mazda RX3 |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1972 |
| Porsche 911 ($7,255-$10,200) |
| Porsche 911T ($7,200-$7,990) |
| Mercedes-Benz 250 ($7,220-$8,070) |
| BMW 3.0 CS ($8,710-$8,710) |
| Lincoln Continental ($7,065-$500,000) |
Average Auction Sale: $20,090 |
| Porsche: 1971-1980 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Porsche History |
| Other models by Porsche |
| Manufacturer Website |
| Vehicle Recall Information |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Kohler International Challenge |
| Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction |
| 2005 50TH Annual Porsche Parade. Hershey Pennsylvania |
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| 356 550/718 Sports Racing Cars 597 904 | 906 907 908 911 | 912 914 917 924 | 928 934/935 944 956 and 962 | 968 Boxster Carrera GT Cayenne | Cayman GT3 Panamera Type 959 |
| 1973 911T | 1973 911 RSR | 1973 911S | 1973 911 RS Carrera | 1973 911E |
