Porsche 911, By the Numbers
There are a lot of numbers, but most of them are either 9 or 1...
For how ubiquitous fandom of the Porsche 911 is among automotive enthusiasts, approaching the subject of nine-elevens can be daunting for the uninitiated. I’ve driven multiple 911s--a 991 in Germany and a 996 here in California--but I have to look them up by year every time I want to mention their chassis codes. (Including at time of writing the previous sentence).
This page acts as my own quick-reference guide, and it's definitely a living document. The data comes from a variety of sources, but most prominently a website that has more information on Porsche than anyone could hope to find: StuttCars.com. I will continue to update this guide as I learn more, to help other folks like me become familiar with these beautiful cars that bear the 911 badge.
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Notes:An example of these cars will usually be referred to simply as a "911". However, I've also heard people call one a "First Gen 911", or an "early 911". The 912 is typically considered a 911, despite its name. It was a more affordable version of the 911 that came with a smaller engine and fewer upscale options. |
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Notes:This generation saw the introduction of the first factory-turbocharged 911, dubbed the 911 Turbo. That model is also referred to as a 930, which was the internal code Porsche used while developing the car. It's also been dubbed the "Widowmaker" due to its tendency to oversteer under certain conditions. However, these days I think it's a coin flip as to whether or not someone will roll their eyes at the term. |
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Notes:The creation of the 964 marks the first full-refresh the 911 would see. It also introduced the first ever AWD 911, the Carrera 4. (There are no exterior differences between the Carrera 4 and the Carrera 2, save for badging). This generation also introduced the oh-so polarizing Tiptronic shiftable automatic transmission, which was advanced for the time but had some quirks worth complaining about. Photo by nakhon100 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37753720 |
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Notes:The 993 was the last 911 to be offered with an aircooled engine. It also saw the creation of the GT2, which was the first ever twin-turbocharged 911. Many cars from this generation were also offered with an "X51" power package, which adds around 13 horsepower. Photo by Frank and Myra Fan - https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4419572 |
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