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Ad Rates / Articles / Classified Ads / Editorial / Home / Links / Showtime   Wayback Wheels - Vintage Car Talk   Porsche 911 - a fine vintage catch   By Aaron Neilly When someone says the word Porsche,” chances are the first image that comes to your mind is the legendary Porsche 911. The 911 has been a highly sought after car since it first began production in 1964. The 911 produced today still follows the unmistakable design cues of the original models.   The 911 was first shown in 1963 at the Frankfurt auto show. Porsche intended to replace the "aging" , VW Beetle- influenced 356 model with a more modern, faster car. The car followed the 356’s rear drive/rear engine layout, but instead of the air-cooled pushrod four cylinder, it had an air cooled six cylinder engine, with chain driven overhead camshafts, six enormous carburetor throats, and a snarling exhaust note that could give Ferrari owners goosebumps.   For those who wanted the look of a 911, but were on a budget or weren't concerned about performance, Porsche also introduced the 912, which was a 911 with the same four cylinder engine as the 356. (The 912s are actually relatively rare these days, as most were eventually converted to 911s.)   In 1966, the more powerful 911 "S" was introduced, and featured an engine with 160 horsepower and mechanical fuel injection. This would also be the first year the famous "Fuchs" 5 spoke alloy wheels were offered.   Porsche was working on a convertible version, which was to be built by Karmann of Austria, but in the mid 60s, there were rumours that convertibles were going to be outlawed on North American roads. As a somewhat preventative measure, the convertible idea was scrapped and Porsche unveiled the 911 "Targa". It was named after the Targa Florio road race which Porsche had won on numerous occasions. The Targa had a one-piece removable top, which spanned from the windshield to the car's b-pillar. The b-pillar was reinforced and clad with stainless steel trim to double as a roll bar. Early models also featured a removable rear window.   If you're looking for a relatively reliable vintage sports car, a 911 is a great option, provided it has been cared for. As with most cars of its era, rust can be an issue, and in many cases, parts can be expensive. This might have resulted in "quick fix" repairs over the years; something to watch out for. Keep in mind a replacement engine for a 911 can be close to $8500, so it's best to purchase a Porsche from someone who has had all the required work performed by a competent technician.   Not everyone will be a fan of the way the early 911s drive. With all of the weight of the engine and transaxle behind the back wheels, and a large amount of oversteer, these cars can be fairly easy to spin out while driving in an "enthusiastic" manner, but it can also be a highly entertaining trait on the race track in the tight corners. I've actually heard the 911’s handling characteristics compared to "throwing a hammer.”   The 911 engines can be a chore to keep tuned (having 6 carburetors, points and condenser style ignition and valves that need manual adjusting), and the transaxle is harsh to say the least. Gear changes must be timed perfectly, and you definitely need to practice heel-toe driving if you ever plan on downshifting as engine revs need to be matched to the split second. The gearshift itself can be a bit of a beast to tame as well … it's not exactly precise and the shifter throws are a little like a mop handle in a bucket. Loose and floppy.   Having said that, I still believe the 911 is still the greatest sports car ever made. Apparently I'm not the only one; in the international poll for "Car of the Century,” the Porsche 911 took 5th overall.   One day I'll be driving my own 911 with the radio turned off so I can listen to the bark of the flat six coming from a mere 3 feet behind the driver's seat while flying (errr … driving) down some winding country road.   Aaron Neilly is a certified mechanic with a passion for anything unique with four wheels and an engine. He spends a large amount of time in cars, under cars and discussing cars. He can be reached at bandicoot.rally@gmail.com .     Return to top of page   This Is Livin' Publishing © 2009 581 8th Line West, RR1 Hastings, ON, K0L 1Y0 Phone/Fax: 705-696-1833   webmaster