The Porsche 911 is anything but a midlife crisis! Car lovers around the world understand what having a sports car feels like, but the 911 is a completely different animal. The 911 is exhilarating to drive, stunning to look at and has a history that many other cars would kill for. The popularity of the Porsche 911 is not hard to comprehend, but it’s popularity stems from an exquisite past that keeps every boy drooling from a young age, with a poster on their wall.
The rich history of the 911 started in 1963, when the actual name of the Porsche was 901. The name was given by Ferdinand ‘Butzi’ Porsche, who was the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche. His fame came from designing the Volkswagen Beetle. The Porsche had to be renamed because the rights of the 901 model number were owned by Peugeot. So, the number 911 was given to the successor of Porsche 356, and the history of the 911 was off and running from this point. Here is the run-down of the Porsche 911 history, in quick succession.
| TIMELINE RUNDOWN |
1963 | 901
• The Porsche 911 had the same fastback design
• Operated an air-cooled flat-six that generated 130 bhp
1965 | 912
• 911’s cheaper version came out when the 356 version went off the market for good,
• With four-cylinder engine of the 356 to the new version of 911, “912”.
1965 | 911 Targa
• Newer design
• Specifications: protective roll bar and removable roof panel.
1966 | 911 S
• Latest model with 130 bhp to 160 bhp
• improvised brakes and chassis also had the light weight Fuchs wheels.
1970 | 911 2.2
• Updated engine capacity: 2.2 liters
• light weighted by using aluminum engine lids and part aluminum bumpers.
1972 | 911 2.4
• Engine capacity of 2.4 liters with 190 bhp
• Faster and light weighted
1974 | 911
• Engine capacity: 2.7
• Upgraded after Carrera RS model
1975 | 930 Turbo
• The turbocharged was launched
• Engine capacity: 3 liters with 260 bhp
• Fastest car of its time.
1977 | Carrera SC
• All models went up to 3-liter capacity 204 bhp.
• Reliability and potential tuning were the causes of increases capacity.
1978 | Turbo
• Engine capacity upgraded to 3.3 liters to generate 296 bhp.
• Design changed to “tea tail” to accommodate the inter cooler.
1984 | Carrera 3.2
• Engine capacity 3.0 litre with more power and better brakes.
1989 | 964 Carrera
• Engine capacity 3.6
• Upgraded with floor-hinged pedals and flat-six air-cooled
1990 | 964 Turbo
• New turbo version with engine capacity of 3.3 litre to generate 315 bhp.
1992 | 964 Turbo S
• The first Turbo S with generation of 376 bhp
• Spartan interior and approx. production up to 80 cars in first year.
1993 | Turbo
• Engine capacity 3.6 litre that produced 360 bhp.
1994 | 964 Turbo 3.6
• Turbo 3.6, with 3.6 litre turbocharged engine which generated 360 bhp.
1995 | 993 Carrera
• The best of the 911 with new front and back ends.
• Smoother look.
• Improved suspension
• Engine capacity 3.6 liter flat-six that made 268 bhp
1995 | 993 Turbo
• Twin-turbos,
• Permanent AWD system.
• 400 bhp from the 3.6 litre engine
1999 | 996 Carrera
• Water-cooled 911s
• Front end with the cheaper Boxster.
• Engine capacity 3.4 litre engine that generated 296 bhp.
2000 | 996 Turbo
• GT1 car inspired engine
• With wider stance than the Carrera
• Produced 415 bhp.
2001 | 996 GT2
• Aggressive twin-turbo engine that generated 476 bhp.
• Lighter than the Turbo
• Fixed rear wing
• Standard carbon ceramic brakes.
2005 | 996 Turbo S
• The Turbo S with 450 horsepower
• More powerful than 996 GT2
2005 | 997 Carrera
• Round headlights.
• A 3.8 litre engine was introduced,
• Produced 320 horsepower
2007 | 997 GT3
• Blistering acceleration (0-60 in 4.1 seconds)
• Speed of 193 mph
• "zero lift" aerodynamics.
• Made 415 bhp in just 7:42.
While there is much more than just this, the history of Porsche is a long and beautiful one. Even though the Porsche 911 is the at the butt end of many mid life crisis jokes, it still remains one of the most iconic cars of all time with a past to match. It may be grouped with the term “midlife crisis” many times over, but it is so much more than just that. Until you are able to own one, you might as well look great with a handmade DaLuca Straps leather good that matches the quality of a Porsche, with a lot lower price point. There are also custom vintage Porsche leather interior watch bands too!
