Porsche 911s for Sale

The 911 was Porscheâ€™s second regular model line, replacing the 356 that established the automaker in 1948. This two-door, four-seat grand touring sports car represented a step up from the flat-four 356 since it used a more powerful air-cooled, horizontall...

The 911 was Porscheâ€™s second regular model line, replac...

The 911 was Porsche’s second regular model line, replacing the 356 that established the automaker in 1948. This two-door, four-seat grand touring sports car represented a step up from the flat-four 356 since it used a more powerful air-cooled, horizontally opposed six-cylinder mounted behind the rear wheels. It would be developed through eight generations into the world-famous model it is today.

The 911 debuted at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show as the 901 with styling by Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche, but the German automaker changed the car’s name shortly after production began in September 1964 because of Peugeot’s patent on three-numeral model names incorporating a zero. Out back was a 2.0-liter SOHC flat-six engine making 130 DIN hp (148 hp SAE), mated to a five-speed manual transaxle. The fully independent suspension adopted MacPherson struts in front and semi-trailing arms in the rear, replacing torsion bars and swing axles; rack and pinion steering stood in for the 356’s worm and roller setup.

Typical of Porsche, this car got regular improvements. A four-cylinder 912 variant debuted in 1965 as an entry-level model replacing the 356, while the high-performance 180 hp 911 S was added for 1967. The 911 Targa “safety convertible” was introduced for 1968, its soft, plastic rear window zipping down in concert with a removable roof panel to leave a brushed-steel-trimmed roll hoop. A Sportomatic two-pedal transmission was offered on the 911 L.

The original 911 was built up to 1969, when the car got a 2.2-inch longer wheelbase, flared wheel arches, and better weight distribution. The base 911 T with a four-speed gearbox was joined by the fuel-injected 911 E and hot 911 S. A fixed glass rear window was used on Targas. From 1970, a 2.2-liter flat-six brought more power for all three variants; 2.4-liter versions arrived for 1972. The race-ready 911 RS 2.7 Lightweight and Touring variants, famously wearing ducktail rear spoilers and reverse-script “Carrera” stripes, were sold from 1973.

“G” model 911s of 1974-’89 met U.S. safety regulations with color-coded 5-mph impact bumpers. The naturally aspirated flat-six was developed through this generation, going from 2.7 liters to 3.0 liters in 911 S/911 Carrera variants. The fearsome 930, badged 911 Turbo Carrera, debuted in 1975 and came to the U.S. the following year. It was easy to spot with widely flared fenders and “whale tail” rear wing covering a 3.0-, or later, 3.3-liter engine. The racing-derived “flatnose” or Flachbau body style was a pricey option. The 911 SC model introduced for 1978 came as a coupe or Targa until 1983, when a full Cabriolet convertible joined the roster. From 1984, the Carrera nameplate returned with a 3.2-liter flat-six. A low-production, low-windshield 911 Speedster offered both narrow- and “Turbo-look” wide-body shapes.

The 964-generation 911 was revealed in 1989, its smoother looks and new technology influenced by the 959 supercar. The 3.6-liter, rear-drive Carrera 2 and all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 were joined by special variants like the Turbo coupe and Cabriolet, the Turbo-look America Roadster, and lightweight RS coupe. The Tiptronic automatic transmission debuted in the 964. Porsche introduced the final air-cooled 911 as the 3.6-liter-powered 993 generation for model year 1994. Notably updated styling marked the Carrera coupe and Cabriolet, the AWD Carrera 4 and 4S, and twin-turbocharged, AWD 911 Turbo and Turbo S. The Targa used a new glass roof panel that slid under the rear window.

Porsche shifted to water-cooled engines with the all-new 996-generation 911 of 1998, which wore more aerodynamic styling and again came in coupe, Targa, and Cabriolet variants. The 3.6-liter twin-turbo-powered 911 Turbo and Turbo S were available in closed and open forms. Racy turbocharged GT2 and naturally aspirated GT3 variants were performance flagships. The 997-generation models, built between 2004 and 2011, used 3.6- and 3.8-liter N/A and turbocharged flat-sixes and introduced the PDK double-clutch automatic transmission; an amazing 24 variants were produced. The 991-generation 911 built through 2016 sported an all-new chassis with available Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and a 7-speed manual; the Targa returned with a power-retractable roof panel and heritage-look roll hoop and wrap-over glass. All but the GT3/GT3 RS models were turbocharged. The latest 911, introduced in 2018, is dubbed 992.

More than one million 911s have been built to date, and all are desirable collectibles. Find the 911 of your dreams through Hemmings.

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