924 Carrera GTR at Le Mans

There were no works 911 variants at Le Mans in 1980. In keeping with the company's move away from the 911*, Porsche entered three works 924 Carrera GTRs into the GTP class, as the first move to make the 924 the Le Mans winning successor to the 934/935 within three or four years. Although down on power (320bhp) against other entrants, the three 924 Carrera GTs acquitted themselves well, finishing 6th, 12th, and 13th due to reliability, and excellent handling at a wet Le Mans.

In 1981 Porsche entered a 924 Carrera GTP and a 944 LM, which used the new 2.5l engine later used in the 924S and 944. In 1982 924s were entered only by privateers, including two cars entered by BF Goodrich using road tyres. The 924 won the IMSA GTO class in 1981 and the IMSA GT class in 1982, but overall never bettered the Porsche works results, despite the customer cars having more power than the original works cars. After 1980 Porsche focused on mid-engined cars for the new Group C regulations for 1982, dominating the class and ending factory development of the 924 Carrera GTR.

The 924 Carrera GTRs used the standard 924 block, (931) cylinder head, crankshaft, and con-rods. The turbo and intercooler were much larger and moved to the inlet side and front of the engine bay respectively. An aluminium torque tube and titanium drive shafts lightened the drive train components. A 935-based gearbox was used.

*Paraphrased from Paul Frere's excellent book, "Porsche 911 Story"

At the end of 1980, Professor Ernst Fuhrmann (who had been in charge of Porsche's activities since the end of 1972) resigned from his office one year before his contract expired...Fuhrmann, under whose leadership the Porsche 924, 944, and 928 had been developed, was much more inclined to push these cars than the 911...But Dr Ferry Porsche, who had been the real "father" of the 911, had different views...Professor Fuhrmann's policy had led to a considerable reduction of the 911 development programme, but as soon as Peter Schutz took office [to Managing Director], in January 1981, the decision was taken to reactivate the development of the model".

1980-1982 924 Carrera GTR Le Mans results:

Year	Team	No.	Result	Drivers	Class	Links
1980	Porsche System	4	6th	Manfred Schurti, Jurgen Barth	GTP
	Porsche System	2	12th	Tony Dron, Andy Rouse	GTP
	Porsche System	3	13th	Derek Bell, Al Holbert	GTP
1981	Porsche System	1	7th	Jurgen Barth, Walter Rohrl	GTP
	Porsche System	36	11th (class win)	Manfred Schurti, Andy Rouse	IMSA GTO
	Eminence Racing	73	51st (DNF)	Jean-Marie Almeras, Jacques Almeras	Group 4
	Porsche Australia	74	DNQ	Colin Bond, Peter Brock	Group 4
	Canon / GTI	75	DNQ	Richard Lloyd, Andy Rouse	Group 4
1982	BF Goodrich	86	16th (class win)	Jim Busby, Doc Bundy, Marcel Mignot	IMSA GT	Video
	BF Goodrich	87	DNF	Paul Miller, Pat Bedard, Manfred Schurti	IMSA GT	Video
	Canon / GTI	84	DNF	Richard Lloyd, Andy Rouse	IMSA GT	Wiki

Le Mans photo acknowledgements and thanks to: Paul Kooyman, Jean-Philippe Legrand, Alain Jourdainne and Francois-Rene Alexandre at photos24hlemans.free.fr

Privateer World Championship racing 1981-84

Privateers entered 924 Carrera GTRs in World Championship races in 1981-4. The late Richard Lloyd's Canon Cameras / GTI Engineering and the Formel Rennsport Club teams were the most prolific. Canon/GTI Engineering later had success with a Porsche 956 in Group C. Any photos of any of the cars below are much appreciated, please send them to CGT924@hotmail.com, with any requests for acknowledgements and cross-links.

924 Carrera GT Technical Summary

The 924 Carrera GT uses a turbocharged version of the 924's 1984cc engine with an intercooler. A normally aspirated 924 makes 125bhp, the type 931 turbo 175bhp, and the addition of an intercooler brings the 924 Carrera GT up to 210bhp. Apart from lighter pistons, most of the engine internals are common to the Porsche 924 Turbo, which itself shares the majority of its parts with the 924.

911 parts were also used on the 937 that were not used on the 924 or 931: The 924 Carrera GT's 210 BHP goes through a 911 clutch plate, the transaxle is strengthened using 911 syncromesh rings, and the Fuchs wheels are lifted from the 911. The brakes and the Koni front dampers are shared with the later 944.

Externally the 924 Carrera GT is similar to a 931, but with wider polyurethane wings at the front and rear, and a polyurethane hood scoop. These, slightly lowered suspension, and the Fuchs alloys give the 924 Carrera GT a much more purposeful stance than a standard 924 or a 931. Inside the cabin the 924 Carrera GT is surprisingly comfortable, with electric mirrors and windows as standard, and A/C and a large lift out sunroof (UK models only) as options.

Only red, black, and silver 924 Carrera GTs were made, the 924 Carrera GTS was only available in red. The styling exercise and full race cars were white.

Engine

The 924 Carrera GT's engine is designated M31.50 with engine numbers beginning 3150. It generates 210 bhp at 6,000 rpm, or 105.8 bhp per litre, at a low 8.0:1 compression and was apparently the most fuel efficient engine in the 924 range.

The M31.50 uses the standard 1984cc cast-iron Porsche 924 block and uprated parts as used on the M31.30 Series II 931, such as the aluminium head, camshaft, and cooling system. There are few parts unique to the 924 Carrera GT, namely the lighter forged pistons made by Kolbenschmidt, a slightly larger version of the 931 KKK turbocharger running at 0.75 bar, and a unique - although still similar to the European Series II 924 Turbo unit - Digital Ignition Timing Computer (DITC). Total dry engine weight is 175kg including the turbo and intercooler.

	Manufacturer	Porsche #	Manf. ref	Figures
Pistons	(KS) Kolbenschmidt	931 103 042 01		86.50mm, 8:1 compression
DITC	Siemens	937 602 071 00
Turbocharger	KKK	931 123 002 10	K26-2660 GA 6.10	Compressor cover 5326 100 5104
				Compressor wheel 5326 100 6328
				Compressor exducer 66mm
				Compressor inducer 39.6mm
				Trim 36
Intercooler	Langerer & Reich	931 110 033 04	37091207, 68652

Transmission

Getrag produced the G31 gearbox for the 924 Turbo, and it is perhaps the strongest in the Porsche 924-944 range, much of which used an Audi-derived 016 transaxle. The G31 uses a number of parts from the 915 and 930 transmissions such as the baulk ring synchromesh and bearings.

The 924 Carrera GT gearbox is designated G31.03, serial numbers start 3103. It is similar to the 931 unit, with the same ratios, but has strengthened gear sets to handle the increased horsepower. A limited slip differential was an option on all G31 equipped cars. Like many racing gearboxes the G31 has a "dogleg" first gear; down and to the left, to reduce the risk of accidentally engaging first at speed. Second is where first would be on a normal H pattern box, third is where second is, etc, etc. Reverse is above first.

G31.03	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Final
Tooth count	10/36	16/34	24/35	28/31	37/27	9/35
Ratio	3.6000	2.1250	1.4583	1.1071	0.7297	3.8889
Max MPH*	32	54	79	104	157
RPM @ upshift		3,542	4,118	4,555	3,955

*Assuming 225/50/16 rear tyres and upshift at 6,000RPM.

Suspension

All Porsche 924s have MacPherson struts and coil springs at the front, trailing arms with torsion bars at the rear. The 924 Carrera GT has a lightly uprated version of the Series II Turbo suspension with strengthened rear trailing arms. Springs are from the pre-1980 924, which have a lowering effect on the 937. Porsche, Koni, and Bilstein dampers were specified as original equipment and are interchangeable with the 944. Koni and Bilstein dampers are widely available and are highly recommended as replacements. Double-check compatibility with front struts before buying. Either 21mm or 23mm front anti-roll bars could be specified, a 16mm anti-roll bar is fitted at the rear.

Damper brand	Front ref	Porsche #	Rear ref	Porsche #
Porsche		944 343 031 12		477 513 031 H
Koni	86-1980	944 343 031 11	80-2349	944 333 031 00
Koni adjustable	8641-1038 Sport		26-1209 Sport
Bilstein B6 Sport	P30-0040 (Boge struts)	477 412 059 A	B36-0161	477 513 031 A
Bilstein B6 Sport	P30-0104	944 343 059 00

Wheels, Brakes, Tyres

The 924 Carrera GT wore Fuchs alloys from the 911 Carrera:

	Size	Porsche #	Tyres	Shared with
Fuchs Front	7Jx15 ET23	911 361 020 41	215/60 VR15	911 SC
Fuchs Front (option)	7Jx16 ET23	911 362 115 00	205/55 VR16	911 SC
Fuchs Rear	8Jx16 ET23	911 362 117 00	225/50 VR16	930

All have ET23 offsets and five nuts with 130 PC diameter, the same specifications can be found on certain 911, 930, and 944 wheels. Spacers are employed on the rear wheels to further widen the track.

The 924 and 931 had 6x14-16 inch wide wheels with ET20 offsets, giving them a narrower track and therefore incompatible as a direct swap onto a 924 Carrera GT. Conversely, the 911 wheels used on the GT are unlikely to fit on an unmodified 924 or 924 Turbo; the wider front and rear wings are required to accomodate them.

The 924 Carrera GT uses the same floating calipers as the 924 Turbo and were carried forward to the 1982-5 944. The GT also has plastic vents that duct cool air from the front bumper to the discs.

924 Carrera GT

The Porsche 924 was a design commission undertaken by Porsche for VW/Audi that was abandoned by the client and sold back to Porsche late in development, with Audi agreeing to build the car at its Neckarsulm plant. The Porsche 924 was a hit and brought in much needed cash after the company hit trouble following the 1970s oil crisis. About 125,000 Porsche 924s and 14,000 924 Turbos (officially designated Porsche 931) were sold between 1976 and 1985.

In 1979 Porsche submitted a styling exercise to the Frankfurt Motor Show to introduce ideas that shaped the look of the forthcoming 944. The following year, the company entered the 924 at Le Mans, and needed to homologate a race car to meet Group 4 racing regulations (although the racers were eventually entered in the GTP class). The homologation version was called the 924 Carrera GT and was a developed 924 Turbo incorporating wider front and rear wings similar to those seen on the well-received styling exercise.

Porsche made 406 924 Carrera GTs in 1981, including six prototypes. LHD cars are designated type 937, RHD are 938 (75 made). The 924 Carrera GT makes 210bhp from a developed 924 Turbo engine, weighs 1,180 kilos, has 49/51 weight distribution, handles well, is reliable, has racing pedigree, and is one of the cheapest Porsches to maintain.

A step up from the 924 Carrera GT is the GTS, of which 59 were made in the Stuttgart factory. These are more powerful than the 924 Carrera GT thanks largely to running increased boost and are easily distinguished by the perspex headlamp covers replacing the pop-up headlights on the GT, and an intercooler in front of the engine rather than on top of it. 15 of the 59 were Club Sport cars, which had a roll cage and were even more powerful and lighter than the GTS.

19 full race 924 Carrera GTRs were produced, of which nine either raced or qualified at Le Mans.

Variants

Variant	# Made	Power/torque	Boost	Weight	0-60, VMAX	Notes
924 Carrera GT	406 (75 RHD)	210bhp, 203lb/ft	0.75 bar	1,180kg	6.9s, 150mph	Red, silver, black
924 Carrera GTS	44	245bhp, 247lb/ft	1.0 bar	1,121kg	6.2s, 155mph	LHD red only
924 Carrera GTS CS	15	270bhp, 247lb/ft	1.1 bar	1,060kg	5.2s, 158mph	LHD red only
924 Carrera GTR	19	320bhp+	N/A	930kg	4.7s, 180mph+

924S

924S

Porsche 924S in Guards Red.

In 1984 VW decided to stop manufacturing the engine blocks used in the 2.0 924, leaving Porsche with a predicament. The 924 was considerably cheaper than its 944 stablemate, and dropping the model left Porsche without an affordable entry-level option. The decision was made to equip the narrower bodied 924 with a slightly detuned version of the 944's 163bhp 2.5 litre straight four, upgrading the suspension but retaining the 924's early interior. The result was 1986's 150bhp 924S. Porsche also decided to re-introduce the 924 to the American market with an initial price tag of under $20,000.

1987 saw Porsche release the limited edition 924S Le Mans. Available only in Alpine White or Black, it had uprated suspension and cosmetically upgraded interior and exterior. In Le Mans spec, the S' 2.5 litre engine produced an additional 10bhp, taking the total to 160. The Le Mans also came with an electric tilt and slide sunroof as standard (normally an option). A total of 980 924S Le Mans were manufactured during the 1987 model year; 813 in black (the only colour available for the US market) and 167 white cars.

In 1988, the 924S' final year of production, power increased to 160bhp matching that of the previous year's Le Mans spec cars and the base model 944 (itself detuned by 3bhp for 1988). This was achieved using different pistons which raised the S' compression ratio from 9.7:1 to 10.2:1, the knock-on effect being an increase in the octane rating, up from 91RON to 95. This made the 924S faster than the base 944 due to its lighter weight and more aerodynamic body.

With unfavourable exchange rates in the late 1980s, Porsche decided to focus its efforts on its more upmarket models, dropping the 924S for 1989 and the base 944 later that same year.

924 Turbo

Walter Röhrl's 1981 924 Carrera GTS driven during the 2008 Rallye Deutschland.

Porsche executives soon recognised the need for a higher-performance version of the 924 that could bridge the gap between the basic 924 and the 911s. Having already found the benefits of turbochargers on several race cars and the 1975 911 Turbo, Porsche chose to use this technology for the 924, eventually introducing the 924 Turbo as a 1978 model.

Porsche started with the same Audi-sourced 2.0 L I4, designed an all new cylinder head (which was hand assembled at Stuttgart), dropped the compression to 7.5:1 and engineered a KKK K-26 turbocharger for it. With 10 psi (70 kPa) boost, output increased to 170 hp (127 kW). The 924 Turbo engine assembly weighed about 65 lb (29 kg) more, so front spring rates and anti-roll bars were revised. Weight distribution was now 49/51 compared to the original 924 figure of 48/52 front to rear.

In order to help make the car more functional, as well as to distinguish it from the naturally-aspirated version, Porsche added a NACA duct in the hood and air intakes in the badge panel in the nose, 15-inch spoke-style alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes with 5 stud hubs and a five-speed transmission. Forged 16" flat wheels from the 928 were optional.

Internally, Porsche called it 931 (left hand drive) and 932 (right hand drive), much like the 911 Carrera Turbo, which had been "Type 930". These designations are commonly used by 924 aficionados.

The turbocharged engine allowed the 924's performance to come surprisingly close to that of the 911 SC (180 bhp), thanks in part to a lighter curb weight, but it also brought reliability problems.

Intense heat in the engine bay lead to short turbocharger life and turbo-related seal and seat problems. To fix the problems, Porsche released a revised 924 Turbo series 2 (although badging still read 924 Turbo) in 1981. By using a smaller turbocharger running at increased boost, slightly higher compression of 8:1 and an improved fuel injection system with DITC ignition triggered by the flywheel, reliability improved and power rose to 177 hp (132 kW).

After a successful sales run of both naturally-aspirated and turbo models, in 1981 Porsche decided to surprise everyone and a new 924 variant was unveiled at Le Mans 24 Hours.

By adding an intercooler, increasing compression to 8.5:1 as well as various other little changes, Porsche was able to develop the 924 Turbo into the race car they had wanted, dubbing it the 924 Carrera GT.

A 924 Carrera GTR campaigned by GTi Engineering in 1982 and 1982.

Visually it differed to the 931 in that it had polyurethane plastic front and rear flared guards, a polyurethane plastic front spoiler, a top mounted air scoop for the intercooler, a much larger rubber rear spoiler and a flush mounted front windscreen. It lost the 931's NACA duct in the hood but retained the air intakes in the badge panel. This more aggressive styling was later used for as motivation for the 944.

In order to comply with the homologation regulations, the 924 Carrera GT and later 924 Carrera GTS were offered as road cars as well, producing 210 and 245 hp (157 and 183 kW) respectively. Clubsport versions of the GTS were available with a factory included Matter rollcage and race seats. 924 Carrera GT variations were known by model numbers 937 (left hand drive) and 938 (right hand drive).

The ultimate development of the 924 in its race trim was the 924 Carrera GTR race car, which produced 375 hp (280 kW) from a highly modified version of the 2.0 L I4 used in all 924s except for the 944 Carrera GTP which used a highly modified as yet unreleased 944 2.5 litre DOHC 16v Porsche unit. This last model variant came 7th overall at Le Mans 24 Hours and spent the least time out of any other car in the pits.

Production of the 924 Turbo ceased in 1982 except for the Italian market which lasted until 1984. This is due to the restrictions on engines larger than 2 liters, putting the 2.5 liter 944 into a much higher tax category.

Porsche 924 - History

History

The 924 was originally intended to be Volkswagen's flagship coupé sports car. Volkswagen commissioned Porsche to design the car (VW project number 425), who developed a fresh chassis and transmission that would work with an existing Audi I4 engine. They also handled the suspension, and the interior and exterior design. Porsche decided on a rear wheel drive layout, and chose a rear transaxle to help provide 48/52 front/rear weight distribution. This slight rear weight bias, despite the front mounted engine, aided both traction and brake balance.

Due to growing concern over the 1973 oil crisis and a change of directors at Volkswagen, they put the 425 project on hold, eventually dumping it entirely after their decision to move forward with the Volkswagen Scirocco model instead. Porsche, who needed a model to replace the 914, made a deal with Volkswagen leadership, agreeing to buy the design for an undisclosed figure—some suggest 100 million DM, others say 160 million—but most agree it was less than the amount Volkswagen paid Porsche to design it.

The deal specified that the car would be built at the ex-NSU factory in Neckarsulm located north of the Porsche headquarters in Stuttgart, the Volkswagen employees would do the actual production line work and that Porsche would own the design. It became one of Porsche's best-selling models to date, and the relative cheapness of building the car made it both profitable and fairly easy for Porsche to finance.

The original design used an Audi-sourced four-speed manual transmission for the 924 mated to VW's EA831 2.0 L I4 engine, previously used in the Audi 100 and Volkswagen LT van and producing 95 hp (71 kW) in North American trim. This was brought up to 110 hp (87 kW) in mid-1977 with the introduction of a catalytic converter, which reduced the need for power-robbing smog equipment. The four-speed manual was the only transmission available for the initial 1976 model. An Audi three speed automatic was offered starting with the 1977.5 model.

European models, which didn't require any emissions equipment, made 125 hp (93 kW). They also differed visually from the US spec model by not having the US cars' low-speed impact bumpers and the round reflectors on each end of the body.

A 5-speed transmission, available starting in 1979, was a "dogleg" Porsche unit, with first gear below reverse on the left side. This was troublesome and was quickly replaced for 1980 with a normal H-pattern Audi five speed. The brakes were solid discs at the front and drums at the rear. The car was criticised in Car and Driver magazine for this braking arrangement, which was viewed as a step backward from the 914's standard four-wheel disc brakes. However, four wheel disc brakes, five stud hubs and alloys from the 924 Turbo were available on the base 924 as an "S" package starting with the 1980 model year.

The overall styling was penned by Dutchman Harm Lagaay, a member of the Porsche styling team, with the hidden headlights, sloping bonnet line and grille-less nose giving the car its popular wedge shape. The car went on sale in the USA in July 1976 as a 1977 model with a base price of $9,395. Porsche made small improvements to the 924 each model year between 1977 and 1985, but nothing major was changed.

J. Pasha, writing in Excellence magazine, at the time, described the 924 as "the best handling Porsche in stock form".

Porsche 924

Porsche 924

Manufacturer	Volkswagen AG
Production	1976–1988
Predecessor	Porsche 914
Successor	Porsche 944
Class	Sports car
Body style(s)	2+2 coupé
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	2 L, 2.5 L water cooled I4
Length	924 4200 mm (165.4 in)
Width	924 1685 mm (66.3 in)
Height	924 1270 mm (50 in)
Curb weight	924 1080 kg (2381 lb)
Designer	Porsche AG

The Porsche 924 is an automobile produced by Porsche AG of Germany from 1976 to 1988. A two-door, 2+2 coupé, the 924 replaced the 914 as the company's entry-level model, and was the model that finally retired the 912. It was the first Porsche model powered by a water-cooled, front-mounted engine to make production, although the similarly-configured 928 was designed before the 924. The front-engine, rear wheel drive arrangement was normal for most other manufacturers, but it was unusual for Porsche, who had previously only used mid or rear-mounted engines of a boxer configuration, all of which had been air-cooled.

The first official appearance of the 924 took place in November 1975 (as a press launch rather than a motorshow appearance) at the harbour at La Grande Motte, Camargue in the south of France. The model was a success and not only helped to take Porsche out of financial ruin, but created the revenue stream needed to continue building and developing the 911. The 924 was replaced by the 944 in 1983 in the US market, but continued to be produced until 1985 for other markets.

For the 1986 to 1988 model years the car acquired the powerplant from the 944 model and became the Porsche 924S.

Porsche 914-6 GT

Porsche 914-6 GT

Manufacturer	Porsche
Production	1970 – 1972
Predecessor	Porsche 912
Successor	Porsche 924
Class	Sports car
Body style(s)	Targa Coupe
Layout	Mid engined
Engine(s)	2.0 L flat-6

The Porsche 914-6 GT was a race car built and sold collaboratively by Volkswagen and Porsche.

History

The Porsche 914 was introduced in September 1969 as a collaborative effort between Porsche and Volkswagen to produce a sporty car. The car they came up with was a mid-engined vehicle with seating for two and featured a targa top. A 4-cylinder boxer engine provided the power. Volkswagen need a vehicle to replace the aging Karmann-Ghia while Porsche was looking for another option to add to their line up. The VW bodied vehicles were known as 914/4s, while the Porsche variants were known as 914/6s. However, all 914's sold in North America were sold as Porsches.

The car sits very low and the suspension is stiff making it a great competition car rather than a touring car. The headlights hide in the hood and pop-up when needed. The targa top can be stored in the trunk.

The horizontally opposed flat-four engine is mid-mounted and came in three differnent sizes, 1.7, 1.8 or 2 liter. The 1.7 liter engine produced 80 hp (60 kW), the 1.8 produced 79, and the 2.0 liter engine produced 95. A five-speed manual gearbox was standard equipment on all models.

The 914/6 was short lived with only 3360 examples produced between 1970 and 1972. All featured the 2.0 liter flat-six engine. It was raced using different engine configurations. This included the 'T' specification, which was basically a stock 911 engine. Another popular configuration was to use a converted Carrera 6 engine.

In 1970 Porsche entered a 914/6 GT in the grueling 24 hours of Le Mans race. It finished 6th overall and won its class. A remarkable accomplishment. This was only one chapter in the vehicles extensive racing career which continues even to this day.

Porsche 914 - Technical Information

Technical Information

Chassis numbers

Porsche 914 chassis numbers from 1970 to 1976
Year	914/4	914/6	916
1970	4702900001 – 4702913312	9140430001 – 9140432668
1971	4712900001 – 4712916231	9141430001 – 9141430443
1972	4722900001 – 4722921580	9142430001 – 9142430240	9142330011 – 9142330022
1973	4732900001 – 4732927660
1974	4742900001 – 4742921370
1975	4752900001 – 4752911368
1976	4762900001 – 4762904100

Distinguishing marks

During the evolution of the model, certain characteristics of the car changed. An observer can use those traits to indicate which year a particular 914 model was made. The most distinguishable trait are the bumpers. Between 1970 and 1972, both front and rear bumpers were flat across and available in either chrome or painted metal. In 1973, bumper stops were added to the front of the car. And in 1974, bumper stops were also added to the rear of the car. In 1975 and 1976, the big black bumper years, the bumpers were rubber covered and heavy. Some people like the smooth look of the later bumpers, but most prefer the lighter weight chrome ones. Many people have backdated their bumpers, so this is not always a tell all, but certainly a good starting point for identity.

Another way to distinguish 914's is by the plastic piece that goes around the headlight. White ones are from the first 914s to mid-production of 73. After that, it was a black plastic. Another feature to distinguish the 914 by year is if it has a movable passenger seat, it is 72 and later, while the 71 and earlier had a fixed passenger seat.

State of the 914 fleet today

A well-preserved 914 on public display

Estimates of the number of surviving 914s vary wildly. Because of the cost and availability of repair parts compared to the inexpensive cost of a new chassis, many cars with serious but repairable damage were salvaged over the years. In fact many cars were cut up over the years with the purpose of saving other cars. The increasing scarcity of clean cars is driving up the value of the model.

While the 914 has been out of production for over 30 years, many repair parts are still available. In large part this is due to small companies which specialize in 914 parts, as well as many active car clubs. While a few parts are considered scarce and expensive, (such as US-spec rear turn signal lenses and D-Jetronic Manifold Pressure Sensors), most are available from a variety of mail-order sources while still others are tooled and manufactured. Due to its nimble handling and the low cost of a basic 914, the "poor man's" Porsche of the 1970s has become the poor man's weekend racing car on amateur racing circuits.

Many enthusiasts see the 914 as a blank canvas upon which to create their own automotive dreams. Owners have modified the original four cylinder motors to upwards of 170 hp (127 kW). Many owners instead choose to swap different engines into the 914's sizeable engine bay. These swaps range from Volkswagen turbodiesels, to 911 engines (following in the foosteps of the much sought after 914/6) or Corvair air-cooled sixes, to a small-block Chevy V8. Recently, swaps of Subaru engines have gained popularity among the non-Porsche purists. The 914 is also the base for an electric vehicle conversion kit.

Body modifications are another popular way to personalize a 914. Some of these are simple, such as bolting on fiberglass bumpers that aid the 914 into morphing into a look of the 916 prototype. Some are more extensive, such as installing steel or fiberglass fender flares a la the super-rare 914/6 GT. Some involve completely changing the appearance of the car, often to resemble some other mid-engine car, such as the Porsche 904 or the Ferrari Testarossa. Others produce a style all their own such as the Mitcom Chalon, which marries the slant nose appearance of the Porsche 935 with flared fenders that maintain the distinctive 914 rear end. A fiberglass kit was offered in the 1990s dubbed the 9014 was designed as a way to save a derelict 914 too expensive to repair by conventional methods. The 9014's design was inspired by the famous Porsche 904 yet heavily modified to fit the 914 chassis. Over 100 kits were sold before the market changed, and increased 914 values made many more 914s practical to restore. Several suppliers still offer the kit to this day.

Porsche 914 - Design Evolution

Design evolution

The unique rear of the Porsche 914

Volkswagen versions originally came with an 80 hp (60 kW) fuel-injected 1.7 L flat-4 engine based on the Volkswagen air cooled engine. Porsche's 914/6 variant came with a carbureted 110 hp (82 kW) 2.0 L flat-6 engine, taken from the 1969 911T. The engine was placed amidships, in front of a version of the 1969 911's "901" gearbox set up for mid-engine operation. Karmann manufactured the rolling chassis at their own plant, then either sent them to Porsche for fitment of the Porsche suspension and flat-six engine or kept them in house for Volkswagen hardware. 914/6 models used a similar suspension and brakes to the 911, giving the car handling and braking superiority over the 4-cylinder Volkswagen models in addition to higher power output. A Volkswagen-Porsche joint venture, Volkswagen of America, handled export to the U.S., where both versions were badged and sold as Porsches. In Europe, the four-cylinder cars were sold as Volkswagen-Porsches, at Volkswagen dealerships. This "tainted" the car in the opinion of many automotive critics of that era, and a little of that attitude persists to this day.

Slow sales and rising costs prompted Porsche to discontinue the 914/6 variant in 1972 after producing 3,351 of them; its place in the lineup was filled by a variant powered by a new 95 hp (71 kW) 2.0 L, fuel-injected version of Volkswagen's Type 4 engine in 1973. For 1974, the 1.7 L engine was replaced by a 76 hp (57 kW) 1.8 L, and the new Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system was added to American units to help with emissions control. 914 production ended in 1976. The 2.0 L flat-4 engine continued to be used in the 912E, which provided an entry-level model until the 924 was introduced.

The 914 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1970^[2] and a 914/6 piloted by Frenchmen Claude Ballot-Lena and Guy Chasseuil won the GTS class and finished sixth overall at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans^[3].

Porsche 914 - Development

Manufacturer	Porsche
Also called	VW-Porsche 914
Production	1969–1976 118,978 produced[1] 914/4: 115,646 914/6: 3,332
Predecessor	Porsche 912
Successor	Porsche 924
Class	Sports car
Body style(s)	Targa Coupe
Layout	Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine(s)	1.7 L, 1.8 L, 2.0 L flat-4 2.0 L flat-6
Wheelbase	2450 mm (96.5 in)
Length	3985 mm (156.9 in)
Width	1650 mm (65 in)
Height	1230 mm (48.4 in)
Curb weight	940 kg (2072 lb)−995 kg (2194 lb)

Development

By the late 1960s, both Volkswagen and Porsche were in need of new models; Porsche was looking for a replacement for their entry-level 912, and Volkswagen wanted a new range-topping sports coupe to replace the Karmann Ghia. At the time, the majority of Volkswagen's developmental work was handled by Porsche, part of a setup that dated back to Porsche's founding; Volkswagen needed to contract out one last project to Porsche to fulfill the contract, and decided to make this that project. Ferdinand Piëch, who was in charge of research and development at Porsche, was put in charge of the 914 project.

Porsche 914 and the car it replaced at the top of VW's line, the Type 34 Karmann Ghia

Originally intending to sell the vehicle with a flat four-cylinder engine as a Volkswagen and with a flat six-cylinder engine as a Porsche, Porsche decided during development that having Volkswagen and Porsche models sharing the same body would be risky for business in the American market, and convinced Volkswagen to allow them to sell both versions as Porsches in North America.

It appeared to be a perfect win-win situation. On March 1st, 1968 the first 914 prototype was presented. However, development became complicated after the death of Volkswagen's chairman, Heinz Nordhoff, on April 12th, 1968. His successor, Kurt Lotz, was not connected with the Porsche dynasty and the verbal agreement between Volkswagen and Porsche fell apart.

In Lotz's opinion, Volkswagen had all rights to the model, and no incentive to share it with Porsche if they would not share in tooling expenses. With this decision, the price and marketing concept for the 914 had failed before series production had even begun. As a result, the price of the chassis went up considerably, and the 914/6 ended up costing only a bit less than the 911T, Porsche's next lowest price car. This had a serious effect on sales, and the 914/6 sold quite poorly. In contrast, the much less expensive 914-4 became Porsche's top seller during its model run, outselling the 911 by a wide margin, with over 118,000 units sold worldwide.

Chart of 914 development

Porsche 914 road vehicle history of 1969 to 1976
Model	Power	1960s										1970s
		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
914
914/4	59 kW/80 PS
914/6	81 kW/110 PS
914 1.7	59 kW/80 PS
914 1.8	56 kW/76 PS (USA); 63 kW/85 PS (RoW)
914 2.0	70 kW/95 PS (USA); 74 kW/100 PS (RoW)
914 2.0 (only in US)	65 kW/88 PS

Porsche 912

Porsche 912

Manufacturer	Porsche
Production	1965 – 1969 1976 (as the 912E)
Predecessor	Porsche 356
Successor	Porsche 914
Class	Sports car
Body style(s)	Coupé
Layout	RR layout
Engine(s)	1582 cc flat-4 1972 cc flat-4
Wheelbase	2255 mm (88.8 in)[1]
Length	4135 mm (162.8 in)
Width	1600 mm (63 in)
Height	1320 mm (52 in)
Curb weight	965 kg (2127 lb)
Fuel capacity	61 L (16.1 US gal/13.4 imp gal)

The Porsche 912 was a sports car manufactured by Porsche of Germany between 1965 and 1969 as their entry-level model. The 912 was a nimble-handling compact performance four-seat vehicle, delivering 90 SAE horsepower at 5800 rpm.^[2] The 912 was also capable of up to 30 miles per US gallon (13 km/l/36 mpg_-imp) fuel economy. This combination was possible because of a high-efficiency petrol engine, low weight, and low drag. A variant of the Type 911, one of the most famous and successful sports cars of all time, the Type 912 initially outsold the 911, boosting the manufacturer's total production until success of the 911 was assured.

History

After the discontinuation of the 356 model in 1965, Porsche was left with the pricey new 911 as their only offering. Fearing that its considerable price increase over the 356 would cost the company sales and narrow the appeal of the brand, a decision was made by executives to introduce a new entry-level model. Built on the 911's chassis and sharing its bodyshell, Porsche was able to offer the 912 for much less than a base-model 911 by using the four-cylinder engine from the 356 rather than the 911's "flat" six-cylinder powerplant and by reducing the number of standard features. The proven reliability of the 356's engine combined with the 911 bodywork and low price made the 912 a very attractive buy to both new and old customers, and it substantially outsold the 911 during the first few years of production: Porsche produced slightly more than 30,000 units during its five-year production run. 912s were also used as police (polizei) cars in Europe, including Targas (Porsche's patented variation of a cabriolet with lift-off folding top, rollbar, and an openable plastic rear window). In April 1967, the Porsche factory's Christophorus magazine noted: "On 21 December, 1966, Porsche celebrated a particularly proud anniversary. The 100,000th Porsche, a 912 Targa outfitted for the police, was delivered."

After updating the 911 line-up to include both a more powerful 911S and a less expensive 911T, Porsche executives began to feel that the 912 had become redundant, that the 911 platform was sufficiently diverse and that pricing had largely come into line with market expectations. Owing to this and the desire to introduce a new model, the 912 was discontinued and superseded as Porsche's entry-level model by the 914 in 1970; a vehicle which Porsche had thought would be less expensive for them to manufacture and sell than the 912.

After a six year absence, the model was re-introduced to North America in 1976 as the 912E to occupy the entry-level position left vacant by the discontinuation of the 914, while the new 924 – the 914's official replacement – was being finalized and put into production. The new 912 featured the "G-Series" 911 bodywork and was powered by a 2.0 L version of the Volkswagen air cooled engine, previously used in late-model versions of the 914/4. 2,099 were manufactured in total, and were not officially sold outside the United States.

Motorsport

Sold to the public for street use, the Porsche 912 was also raced, including rally events. Factory Rally Kits were available that included anti-roll bars, racing brake pads, and a dead pedal rest. In 1967 the 912 played a part in Porsche rally history when independent driver Sobiesław Zasada drove a 912 to win the European Rally Championship for series touring cars.

911 3.2 Carrera / E, F, G, H, I, J and K series (1983–1989)

1986 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

With the 911’s future ensured , 1983 saw the launch of a replacement for the successful SC series. It was the MY 1984 911 3.2 Carrera, reviving the Carrera name for the first time since 1975. The 911 3.2 Carrera was the last iteration in the original 911 series, with all subsequent models featuring new body styling with new brake, electronic and suspension technologies.

A new higher displacement motor, a 3.2 liter horizontally opposed flat 6 cylinder, was utilized. At the time Porsche claimed it was 80% new.^[7] The new swept volume of 3164 cc was achieved using the 95 mm (3.7 in) bore (from the previous SC model) combined with the 1978 Turbo 3.3 crankshaft's 74.4 mm (2.9 in) stroke. In addition, higher domed pistons increased the compression ratio from 9.8 to 10.3:1 (although only 9.5:1 for the US market). New inlet manifold and exhaust systems were fitted. The 915 transmission was carried over from the SC series for the first three model years. In 1987, the Carrera got a new five-speed gearbox sourced from Getrag, model number G50 with proven Borg-Warner synchronizers. This slightly heavier version also featured a hydraulically-operated clutch.

With the new engine, power was increased to 207 bhp (154 kW/210 PS) at 5900 rpm for North American-delivered cars and to 231 bhp (172 kW/234 PS) at 5900 rpm for most other markets. This version of the 911 accelerated 0– 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.4 seconds and had a top speed of 150 mph (240 km/h) as measured by Autocar. Factory times were more modest: 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds for the US version and 6.1 seconds for cars outside the American market.

The brake discs were increased in size to aid in more effective heat dissipation and improved oil-fed chain tensioners were fitted to the engine. To improve oil cooling, a finned cooler replaced the serpentine lines in the front passenger fender well. This was further improved in 1987, with the addition of a thermostatically-controlled fan.

Driving refinement and motor reliability were improved with an upgrade of the fuel and ignition control components to a L-Jetronic with Bosch Motronics 2 DME (Digital Motor Electronics system). An improvement in fuel-efficiency was due to the DME providing a petrol cut-off on the overrun. Changes in the fuel map & chip programming from October 1986, further improved the power to 217 bhp (162 kW/220 PS) at 5900 rpm for North American delivered cars as well as for other markets requesting low emissions, like Germany. Custom-mapped chips remain a popular upgrade. The fuel relay that is mounted externally on the DME is known to be a weak point of the system.

Three basic models were available throughout the Carrera years – coupe, targa and cabriolet. When launched in 1984 in the United States, the prices of the 911 Carrera lineup were $31,950 for the coupe, $33,450 for the targa and $36,450 for the cabriolet.^[8] Almost indistinguishable from the SC, external clues are the front fog lights, which were integrated into the front valance in the Carrera. Very modest cosmetic changes were made throughout the lifespan of the Carrera, with a redesigned dash featuring larger air conditioning vents appearing in 1986.

Two special editions of the Carrera were produced – the "Commemorative Edition" in 1988 to commemorate 250,000 911s produced and an "Anniversary" edition in 1989 which was the model’s 25th year of production. Both were cosmetic packages with limited production.

In 1984, Porsche also introduced the M491 option. Officially called the Supersport, it was commonly known as the "Turbo-look". It was a style that resembled the Porsche 930 Turbo with wide wheel arches and the distinctive "tea tray” tail. It featured the stiffer turbo suspension and the superior turbo braking system as well as the wider turbo wheels. Sales of the Supersport were particularly strong for its first two years in the United States because the desirable 930 was not available.

The 911 Speedster (option M503), a low-roof version of the Cabriolet which was evocative of the Porsche 356 Speedster of the 1950s, was produced in limited numbers (2.104) starting in January 1989 until July 1989 as both a narrow body car and a Turbo-look. The narrow version was produced only 171 times, that means for the lucky owners an exclusive car from the very beginning. It started as a design under Helmuth Bott in 1983 but was not manufactured until six years later. It was a two-seat convertible that featured a low swept windshield.^[9]

The 1987 Carrera Club Sport, of which 340 were produced, is a collectible 911 that had a blueprinted engine with a higher rev limit, and had the electric windows, electric seats, and radio removed to save a claimed 50 kg (110 lb) in weight.

Total production of the 911 3.2 Carrera series was 76,473 cars (35,670 coupé, 19,987 cabrio, 18,468 targa).

In late 1989, the 911 underwent a major evolution, with the introduction of the Type Porsche 964 (1989–1993).

1993 Porsche 964 Carrera RS

911 SC / L, M, A, B, C and D series (1977–1983)

1978 Porsche 911SC Targa

1983 Porsche 911SC

Starting in MY 1978, the new 3.0 L 911 SC (2994 cc) was now the basic 911 model. It was in effect a Carrera 3 (known as a 911S in the US) detuned to provide 180 PS (132 kW). The "SC" designation was reintroduced by Porsche for the first time since the 356 SC (as distinguished from the race engined 356 Carrera). No Carrera versions were produced and the 930 Turbo remaining at the top of the range. Porsche’s engineers felt that the weight of the extra luxury, safety and emissions equipment on these cars was blunting performance compared to the earlier, lighter cars with the same power output, so power was increased to 188 PS (138 kW) for 1980, then finally to 204 PS (150 kW).

In model year 1980, Porsche offered a Weissach special edition version of the 911 SC, named after the town in Germany where Porsche has their research center. Designated M439, it was offered in two colors with the turbo whale tail & front chin spoiler, body color-matched Fuchs alloy wheels and other convenience features as standard. 408 cars were built for North America.^[3] In 1982, a Ferry Porsche Edition was made and a total of 200 cars were sold with this cosmetic package.

SCs sold in the UK could be specified with the Sport Group Package (UK) which added stiffer suspension, the rear spoiler, front rubber lip and black Fuchs wheels.

In 1981 a Cabriolet concept car was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Not only was the car a true convertible, but it also featured four-wheel drive, although this was dropped in the production version. The first 911 Cabriolet debuted in late 1982, as a 1983 model. This was Porsche’s first cabriolet since the 356 of the mid-1960s. It proved very popular with 4,214 sold in its introductory year, despite its premium price relative to the open-top targa.^[4] Cabriolet versions of the 911 have been offered ever since.

It was during this time, that Porsche AG decided the long-term fate of the 911. In 1979 Porsche had made plans to replace the 911 with their new 928. Sales of the 911 remained so strong however, that Porsche revised its strategy and decided to inject new life into the 911 editions.

Peter W. Schutz (CEO Porsche AG 1981-1987) wrote:

“The decision to keep the 911 in the product line occurred one afternoon in the office of Dr Helmuth Bott [1], the Porsche operating board member responsible for all engineering and development. I noticed a chart on the wall of Professor Bott’s office. It depicted the ongoing development schedules for the three primary Porsche product lines: 944, 928 and 911. Two of them stretched far into the future, but the 911 program stopped at the end of 1981. I remember rising from my chair, walking over to the chart, taking a black marker pen, and extending the 911 program bar clean off the chart. I am sure I heard a silent cheer from Professor Bott, and I knew I had done the right thing. The Porsche 911, the company icon, had been saved, and I believe the company was saved with it.”^[5]

911 SC sales totaled 58,914 cars.^[6]

911 Turbo (Type 930) (1974–1989)

911 Turbo (Type 930) (1974–1989)

In 1974 Porsche introduced the first production turbocharged 911. Although called simply Porsche 911 Turbo in Europe, it was marketed as Porsche 930 (930 being its internal type number) in North America. The body shape is distinctive thanks to wide wheel-arches to accommodate the wide tires, and a large rear spoiler often known as a "whale tail" on the early cars, and "tea-tray" on the later ones. Starting out with a 3.0 L engine 260 PS (256 hp/191 kW), it rose to 3.3 L 300 PS (296 hp/221 kW) for 1978. The early cars are known for their exhilarating acceleration coupled with challenging handling characteristics and extreme turbo lag.

Production figures of the car soon qualified its racing version for FIA Group 4 competition as the Porsche 934 of 1976. Many participated at Le Mans and other races including some epic battles with the BMW 3.0 CSL "Batmobile". The wilder Porsche 935, a finer tuned car in FIA Group 5 and evolved from the 2.1 L RSR Turbo of 1974, was campaigned in 1976 by the factory and won Le Mans in 1979. Private teams continued to compete successfully with the car until well into the 1980s.

Due to tightening emissions regulations, the 930 was withheld from the important US and Japanese markets from 1981 through 1985. In the same time period, Porsche was involved in several wrongful death lawsuits in California related to the 930. It was finally re-introduced into the United States in 1986.

As demand for the Turbo soared in the late 1980s, Porsche introduced novelty variants including a slant-nose version (option M505/M506), while not significantly improving the range mechanically. Although these cars could be sold for extraordinary premiums over the standard models, the company's reluctance to invest in research and development of the entire 911 line at that time turned out to be an almost fatal decision not only for the 911, but for the company.

Only in 1989, its last year of production, was the 930 equipped with a five-speed gearbox. The 930 was replaced in 1990 with a 964 version featuring the same 3.3 L engine.

There have been turbocharged variants of each subsequent generation of 911.

Carrera 2.7 / G and H series (1974-1975)

1976 Porsche 911 2.7

Carrera 2.7 / G and H series (1974-1975)

MY 1974 saw three significant changes. First, the engine size was increased to 2687 cc giving an increase in torque. Second, was the introduction of impact bumpers to conform with low speed protection requirements of US law, these bumpers being so successfully integrated into the design that they remained unchanged for 15 years. Thirdly, the use of K-Jetronic CIS Bosch fuel injection in two of the three models in the line up— the 911 and 911S models, retaining the narrow rear wings of the old 2.4, now had a detuned version of the RS engine producing 150 and 175 PS (110 and 129 kW) respectively.

The Carrera 2.7, now a regular production model, inherited the wider rear wings of the RS together with its 210 PS (154 kW) MFI engine and was indeed mechanically identical to the 1973 RS and still weighed the same at 1075 kg (2370 lb). All three models were given high backed front seats.

The 930 Turbo was introduced in 1975 (see below).

The Carrera 3.0 was introduced in 1976 with what was essentially the Turbo's 2994 cc engine minus the turbocharger, and with K-Jetronic CIS although now developing 200 PS (147 kW).

The well known problem of pulled cylinder head studs with the K-Jetronic 2.7 engine only occurred in hot climates. This emerged in 1975 in California where thermal reactors, aimed at reducing emissions, were fitted below the cylinder heads thus causing heat build up around the magnesium crankcase and then made worse by the lean running K-Jetronic CIS. The fitting of a 5-blade engine fan instead of the usual 11-blade further compounded the situation. Bearing in mind Porsche's largest market being the USA, the 930 Turbo, Carrera 3.0 and all subsequent models used aluminium alloy crankcases which were around 15 lb (7 kg) heavier.

The Bosch K-Jetronic CIS varied fuel pressure to the injectors dependent on the mass airflow. While this system was exceedingly reliable, it did not allow the use of as "hot" cams as MFI or carburettors allowed. Therefore the 911S's horsepower decreased from 190–175 PS (140–128 kW) despite the displacement increase from 2.4–2.7 L. However, the engine did have increased drivability. The 210 PS (154 kW) Carrera 2.7 with MFI was not sold in the US owing to emission regulations— instead they received a 'Carrera' fitted with a 911S engine producing 175 PS (173 hp/129 kW), later reduced to 165 (121 kW), and in California even down to 160 PS (118 kW).

Also produced for the 1976 "model year", for the U.S. market, was the 912E, a 4-cylinder version of the 911 like the 912 that had last been produced in 1969. It used the I-series chassis and the 2.0 Volkswagen engine from the Porsche 914. In all, 2099 units were produced. In 1976 the Porsche 924 took this car's place for the 1977 "model year" and beyond. The power was supplied by a 4 cylinder high performance fuel injection motor also used in the 411 Volkswagen. Less than 6000 were built.

Position vis-à-vis the Porsche 928

Although Porsche was continuing development of the 911, executives were troubled by its declining sales numbers and in 1971 approved work on the Porsche 928. Larger, with a front-mounted V8 engine that was considerably more powerful than the contemporary 911's, the 928 was not only designed to eclipse its performance, it was designed to be a more comfortable car, a sporty grand tourer rather than a real sports car. The 928 sold reasonably well, and managed to survive from its introduction in 1977 until 1995. Throughout its 17 years, despite its capabilities on the road, it could never outsell the 911. Notably, it achieved little success in racing.

911 Carrera RS (1973 and 1974)

A 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS

Porsche RSR with Gijs van Lennep at the Nürburgring 1974

These models, valued by collectors, are considered by many to be the greatest classic 911s all-time. RS stands for Rennsport in German, meaning motorsport or circuit racing. The Carrera name was reintroduced from the 356 Carrera which had itself been named after Porsche's victories in the Carrera Panamericana races in Mexico in the 1950s. The RS was built so that Porsche could enter racing formulae that demanded that a certain minimum number of production cars were made. Compared with a standard 911S, the Carrera 2.7 RS had a larger engine (2687 cc) developing 210 PS (207 hp/154 kW) with MFI, revised and stiffened suspension, a "ducktail" rear spoiler, larger brakes, wider rear wheels and rear wings. In RS Touring form it weighed 1075 kg (2370 lb), in Sport Lightweight form it was about 100 kg (220 lb) lighter, the saving coming from the thin-gauge steel used for parts of the bodyshell and also the use of thinner glass. In total, 1580 were made, comfortably exceeding the 500 that had to be made to qualify for the vital FIA Group 4 class. 49 Carrera RS cars were built with 2808 cc engines producing 300 PS (221 kW).

In 1974, Porsche created the Carrera RS 3.0 with K-Jetronic Bosch fuel injection producing 230 PS (169 kW).It was almost twice as expensive as the 2.7 RS but offered a fair amount of racing capability for that price. The chassis was largely similar to that of the 1973 Carrera RSR and the brake system was from the Porsche 917. The use of thin metal plate panels and a spartan interior enabled the shipping weight to be reduced to around 900 kg (1984 lb).

The Carrera RSR 3.0 and Carrera RSR Turbo (its 2.1 L engine due to a 1.4x equivalency formula) were made in tiny numbers for racing. The turbo car came second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1974, a significant event in that its engine would form the basis of many future Porsche attempts in sportscar racing, and can be regarded as the start of its commitment to turbocharging.