PORSCHE 911 (AIR-COOLED): 1963 TO 1997

2-door, 2+2 Coupe, Convertible and Targa. Rear-mounted 6-cylinder air-cooled 'boxer' engine. The Porsche that refuses to die celebrates its 40 th birthday in 2003 and has grown into a true legend. Butzi's original design can still be seen in today's models, but for some a real 911 is air-cooled, and some of the greatest 911s are from this period.

The Carrera 2.7RS kicked things off, and the 3.3 930 Turbo highlighted the possibilities of this rear-engined coupe. With the 964RS Porsche built a track car with number plates, and in the Carrera 4 a sports car for everyone. The 993RS is as pure as they come, and the 993 GT2 a Le Mans car for the road, while the 993 Turbo 4 the most accomplished supercar of our time.

(Zero) 0-Series - 1963 to 1967: '64 to '67 Model Year - Wheelbase (mm):

2211 Length/Width (mm): 4163/1610.

Significant developments: 911 (very briefly 901) first shown at 1963 Frankfurt Motorshow, goes on sale in 1964 with 6-cylinder 2.0 litre engine. Targa sales begin in very early '67.

A-Series - 1967 to 1968: 1968 Model Year

Significant developments: 5.5" tyres introduced. The 911L had vented discs from 911s. 4-speed Sportomatic introduced in 1967. Models available as Targa (add 50kg), rear glass fixed as standard '68.

B-Series - 1968 to 1969: 1969 Model Year

Significant developments: rear wheels moved 57mm further to back to enhance handling:

single battery replaced with twin 35amp alternatives at the front in a bid to keep the front end more securely planted and thus enhance handling. S and E have mechanical Bosch fuel injection. All models available as Targa (add 50kg).

C-Series - 1969 to 1970: 1970 Model Year

Significant developments: 4mm larger bore raises capacity to 2.2 litres. 225mm clutch introduced. Sportomatic no longer an option on 911S. Front upper strut attachment points moved forward 14mm. All available as Targa (add 50kg).

D-Series - 1970 to 1971: 1971 Model Year

Significant developments: PVC-coated, galvansied underfloor areas introduced. All model s available as Targa (add 50kg).

E-Series - 1971 to 1972: 1972 Model Year

Significant developments: Engine stroke increased to 70.4mm giving 2.4 litre capacity. Compression ratio dropped to allow use of regular petrol. Gearbox uprated to cope with the increase torque. External oil filler cap located between door and rear wheel. All models supplied with Fuchs wheels and available as Targa (add 50kg).

G-Series - 1973 to 1974: 1974 Model Year - Wheelbase (mm): 2271

Length/Width (mm): 4291/1610 (Carrera 1652)

Significant developments: Shock absorbing bumpers introduced as a direct result of US legislation. Carrera came with 'black look' trim. All models available as Targa (add 50kg).

H-Series - 1974 to 1975: 1975 Model Year

Significant developments: Turbo introduced in early 1975 with 4-speed gearbox but higher spec than the rest of the 911 range. 'Duck tail' replaced by 'whale tail' on Carrera models. Silver Anniversary model launched, 1063 sold.

I_Series - 1975 to 1976 : 1976 Model Year

Significant developments: All 911 Bodies completely zinc-coated, galvanized steel. All models fitted with Bosch K-Jetronic. Sportomatic becomes a 3- speed rather than 4-speed option.

K and L Series (the SC) - 1977 to 1979: '78 to '79 Model Year

Significant developments: Super Carrera combined old 911 and Carrera with 3.0 litre engine, all were fitted with servo-assisted brakes. Turbo receives larger engine equipped with intercooler and 'tea-tray' spoiler replaces whale tail. Targa add s 50kg.

SC (New A-Series) - 1979 to 1980: 1980 Model Year

Significant developments: Revised ignition and camshaft timing gives SC 188bhp.

Turbo gets twin exit exhaust. Targa add 50kg.

SC (New B-Series) - 1980 to 1981: 1981 Model Year

Significant developments: First year of Porsche's use of 17 digital international chassis serial number. SC now runs on 98 RON.

SC (New C-Series) - 1981 to 1982: 1982 Model Year

Significant developments: Limited edition 'Ferry Porsche' goes on sale. 'Tea-tray' spoiler option for SC.

SC (New D- Series) - 1982 to 1983: 1983 Model Year

Significant developments: Cabrio rushed into production and launched following successful design study. For Targa, add 50kg.

Carrera (New E-Series) - 1983 to 1984: 1984 Model Year - Wheelbase (mm): 2271 Length/Width (mm): 4291 (Turbo 4318)/1610 (Turbo and Turbo-look 1829)

Significant developments: Carrera replaces the SC. Bore and stroke increases raise capacity to 3164cc, Digital Motor Electronic engine management introduced as was the engine oil-fed chain tensioner. Turbo- look option available for 911 which not only made the car slower by adding 50kg to its weight but also by increasing the drag created by the wider body (track 1432mm/1500mm).

Carrera New F-Series - 1984 to 1985: 1985 Model Year

Significant developments: Carrera engine available with catalytic converter and lower compression giving 207 bhp. 4-spoke steering wheel standard across the range. Turbo-look option available for 911.

Carrera New G-Series - 1985 to 1986: 1986 ModelYear

Significant developments: Sport seats no-cost option. Turbo-look track 1434mm front/1526mm rear.

Carrera New H-Series - 1986 to 1987: 1987 Model Year

Significant developments: Turbo available as a Targa and Cabrio for the first time. Slat-nose becomes an option. 915 transmission replaced by Getrag-built G50. Power hood standard on cabrio.

Carrera New J-Series - 1987 to 1988: 1988 Model Year

Significant developments: Celebration anniversary model available. Club Sport model weighted 50kg less. Blueprinted engine pushed power to around 241bhp.

Carrera New K-Series - 1988 to 1989: 1989 Model Year

Significant developments: 16" wheels now standard. Speedster introduced and available with either the Turbo-look or the race-derived flat-nose bodies.

964 - 1988 to 1989: 1989 Model Year - Wheelbase (mm): 2271 Length/Width (mm): 4250/1651

Significant developments: Launched in January 1989 with new engine, suspension, brakes and numerous body parts, Porsche claimed the 964 shared only 13% of its parts with its predecessors. Carrera 4 split torque 31/69 front to rear. All wheel ABS and power steering standard, catalyst introduced.

964 - 1989 to 1990: 1990 Model Year - Significant developments: All pre-964 models now

deleted. Carrera 2 introduced, Targa and Cabrio available for both C2 and C4 models. Tiptronic available on C2. Cabrio and Targa add 50kg.

964 - 1990 to 1991: 1991 Model Year - Significant developments: Rear drive, 320 bhp 964 Turbo introduced.

964 - 1991 to 1992: 1992 Model Year - Significant developments: Stripped out Carrera 2 RS Introduced. 381 bhp Turbo S model available to order (80 built).

964 - 1992 to 1993: 1993 Model Year - Significant developments: Speedster introduced 3.6 Turbo production begins in January 1993.

993 - 1994 to 1995: 1995 Model Year

Significant developments: Carrera RS introduced. Redesigned all-wheel drive system on C4. Tiptronic S first appears. Four wheel drive Turbo with twin turbochargers and 6-speed gerarbox introduced.

993 - 1995 to 1996: 1996 Model Year

Significant developments: VarioRam engines give more power. Slliding glass-roofed Targa introduced. 430bhp, rear-wheel drive GT2 introduced. Le Mans racer for the road with the performance to match.

993 - 1996 to 1997: 1997 Model Year

Significant developments: 430bhp Turbo S offered as ultimate 993 run-out limited edition model, while Carrera 2S came in even less numbers and went down the same route as the Turbo-look Carrera 4S, but two-wheel drive obviously and best avoided.

993 - 1997 to 1998: 1998 Model Year

Significant developments: An end of an era. Production of all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Turbo continues until July 1998 and marks the end of air-cooled 911 production.