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PORSCHE 911 CHRONOLOGYBy Martin Wollny |
Porsche 911 Carrera 2
Porsche 911 was launched in 1963 at Frankfurt Motor Show. The design team behind the sleek body were Ferry Porsche's son Butzi and Erwin Komenda. The engine was designed by Ferdinand Piech. It was an air-cooled, 2 litre horizontally opposed SOHC chain-driven six cylinders engine.
In 1966, the new model, 911S was released. The compression went up from 9:1 to 9.8:1 and consequently the power went up from 130bhp to 160bhp. The engine was uprated with larger pistons, new camshafts, forged alloy pistons and ventilated disk brakes all round. All models before 1966 were using Solex carbs, but in 1966 the change was made to Webers.
To celebrate victories in the famous Sicilian Targa Florio race, Porsche released an interesting convertible in the late 1966. Fearing strict American regulations, Targa was built with a strong roll-over bar masked by the brushed steel cover. First models had rear window section made of fabric and plastic. In 1969 the rear section was changed into fixed moulded glass window.
In 1969 the wheelbase was lengthened by 57mm to 2,268mm. Models 911E and 911S had Bosch mechanical fuel injection and the power went up by 10bhp.
In 1970 the engine capacity went up to 2,195cc and the power in 911S model was increased to 180bhp.
1972
saw yet another increase in the volume of the engine. The capacity was
2,341cc. The power across the model range was 130bhp @ 5600rpm for 911T,
165bhp @ 6200rpm for 911E and 190bhp @ 6500rpm for the fastest 911S.
On the body of 911S, the most significant change is the introduction
of the front spoiler which improved the stability at speed.
In
1973 the engine size is up to 2,687 in the special model which
went on to become the ultimate 911 - 911RS
2.7 (Carrera). It was a Group 3 and Group 4 homologation special.
The power was impressive 210bhp, the car lightened as much as possible.
In the quest for better power/weight ratio, Porsche engineers fitted
one-piece glass-fibre bumpers, thinner windows, Spartan interior, no
underseal and the final shave in the form of the thin gauge steel bodyshell.
The result is a 970kg racer. The models 911T
and 911E were discontinued.
In 1974 Carrera RSR was produced with 3 litres engine. It went to win numerous races in the States and Europe. All models Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection.
Porsche
911 Turbo was launched at Paris Motor Show in 1974, but the production
only started in 1975. It had a KKK turbocharger, the displacement
of the engine was 2,339cc and was 60bhp up on 200bhp 3 litre Carrera.
The external difference was the wide rear wings and flared wheel arches.
In 1976 911 production process for bodyshells was improved and now the steel body had a zinc coating.
In
1978 911 Turbo was upgraded to 3,299cc which took it up to 300bhp.
The rest of the 911 range had 2,994cc engine.
In 1982 first 911 Cabriolets are produced.
1984 saw the engines of non-turbo 911 going up to 3,164cc and the power to 231bhp. The injection is Bosch Motronic.
1987 was the year when 959 went into production.
In 1989 Carrera 4 was introduced. It was four-wheel drive. The engine was 3,600cc and the power 250bhp.
In 1990 Carrera 2 was sold with tiptronic gearbox.
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