Born: 1964 Died: 1989When the 911 was introduced by the Porsche company to replace the VW Beetle-derived 356, it was immediately distinctive by being rear-engined and rear drive. Perhaps not surprising, as the original VW Beetle had also been a Porsche concept. It was also air-cooled, and the engine format was similar to the VW idea in being an opposed-cylinder or "Boxer" set-up.
The original car had minor modifications up until 1969, mainly in increased wheelbase, giving rise internally to three different series IDs. But powering all versions was a 2-litre 6-cylinder engine with an initial output of 130bhp. In 1966 that was uprated to 160bhp, with fuel injection, and the car got the designation S. A Targa version with an opening roof panel was introduced in 1967. That same year a lower-powered 110bhp 911T was produced, to replace the 912 4-cylinder 'entry' Porsche. At the other end of the scale, a lightweight racing version, the 911R, was produced in very limited numbers, with a 210bhp engine.
The big change for 1970 was a larger engine or 2.2 litres displacement, with 125bhp, 155bhp, and 180bhp versions. That only remained the base powerplant for two years, but the middle range one became famous for out-accelerating the 180bhp unit in the 0-100 km/h. In 1972 it grew to 2.4 litres, with 130bhp, 165bhp and 190bhp versions, and a 140bhp unit for the US market. The 2.4 also only remained under the hood for two years.
In 1972, Porsche also produced the Carrera version of the 911 for the first time, an RS designation powered by a 2.7-litre engine and designed specifically so that Porsche could race the standard 911. Its engine had 210bhp, and the car was much lighter than the production vehicle.
This engine was also put into the "standard" 911 in 1974, with reduced power, where it remained for three years, eventually being replaced because it proved unreliable for normal use. Racing 911s at this time included the 3.0 RSR, and the RSR Turbo with a 2.1-litre engine.
In the meantime, to boost the buying potential of the model, a 3.0-litre Turbo version was launched in 1975, also designated the 930 for the US market. It used the turbo system developed in the racing car, and was to endure, basically unchanged, until 1989. It evolved the characteristics of future 911s, with its wide wheel arches and the famous "whale tail" rear spoiler.
In 1978, the 911 SC was produced, with the 180bhp 3-litre engine. By 1981 it had 204bhp on tap. In 1983, a Cabriolet was produced, In 1984, the Carrera got a 3.2-litre engine, and between then and the totally new generation 911 variants of 1989, there were also a number of variants, including the 911 Speedster and the limited edition Carrera Club Sport.
Although the 911 model is still being produced, most fans figure the early model years set the "real" 911 legend .