History of the Porsche 911, part 2: the G-Series. Reinventing to succeed

The prestige of the Porsche 911’s history took effort; once fame was achieved, it was time to consolidate it with the G-Series

In 1973 one chapter in the history of the Porsche 911 closed and another opened, possibly even more difficult, since, thanks to a fame that only kept growing, the second generation of the “nine-eleven” had the difficult task of improving on what came before and addressing its shortcomings.
Thus, the Porsche 911 G-Series debuted with the 911 2.7 Targa, a convertible that had marked a before and after and which, thanks to its engine, produced 150 CV, capable of catapulting this open-top sports car up to 210 km/h.

This Porsche 911 G-model was characterised by incorporating new safety requirements and measures, from external features such as bumpers able to absorb impacts thanks to being compressed by up to 50 mm, to seats with integrated headrests and three-point seatbelts.

The Porsche 911 S 2.7 Coupé appeared to satisfy the demands of those who, in addition to a spectacular sports car, wanted to enjoy driving it. For this reason, the 2,700 cc engine delivered 175 CV and reached a top speed of 225 km/h.

Furthermore, the range in this first phase of the Porsche 911 G-Series was completed by the 911 Carrera 2.7 Coupé, whose “duck-tail” spoiler recalled the brutal Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 that marked the end of the first generation of the Porsche 911.

History of the Porsche 911, a constant evolution

Then came the first mechanical evolution: the Porsche 911 adopts a turbo. It was at the end of 1973 that the Porsche 911 Turbo Prototyp was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which, for greater impact, featured the front end of what would ultimately become the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0, and a spoiler that, in addition to its aerodynamic function, served as a cooling element.

In 1974 the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 went on sale which, besides producing up to 230 CV, reduced its weight to 1,060 kg. With only 56 units built, it is one of the most sought-after and exclusive versions ever produced. That same year, in the USA, the legendary team Brumos Porsche won the overall Trans-Am and IMSA GT championships with one of these gems.

Also in competition, the Porsche motorsport department was working on a definitive weapon for the circuits, whose name was taken from the prototype that would open the turbo era and from the most extreme acronym for any racing 911: RSR. Thus, the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbo 2.1 was the vehicle designed to lift the brand to the highest podiums. With a 2.1-litre engine it had a power output of 500 CV, and it was the first racing car from the manufacturer to feature a turbo and intercooler.

1974 was also the brand’s anniversary year: they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the founding of Porsche, and to mark it an exclusive series called the Porsche 911 Sondermodell 25 Jahre Porsche was produced, based on the 911, 911 S and 911 Carrera versions. It was distinguished by its seats and trim in blue and black leather. Only 400 units were built.

For 1975 the new three-litre engine appeared in the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Targa, which delivered 200 CV and greater torque. It was also incorporated into the Porsche 911 Carrera coupé. In the spring of that same year the Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0 arrived, a model that would become the star of the range thanks to its 260 CV engine, which allowed a top speed of 250 km/h. This variant also featured an entirely new chassis and a flat spoiler to aid cooling. In addition, in 1976 the 11-blade fan was replaced by a 5-blade one that spun at higher revs, and 16-inch wheels were introduced.

In 1976 the passenger-side mirror became standard equipment, another safety feature introduced by the Porsche 911 G-Series. From then on, in addition to the standard 4-speed gearbox, a 5-speed and the Sportmatic were offered.

In competition, 1976 was the year of the Porsche 935, a racing car with a 2.8 engine capable of producing 590 CV.

In 1977 the SC version appeared, a variant with wider rear wheel arches like those of the Carrera. In 1978 only two variants were sold: the Porsche 911 SC with 180 CV and the Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3. This new evolution featured a 3,300 cc engine with an output of 300 CV.

Also in 1978, the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 driven by Jean-Pierre Nicolas claimed victory in the demanding Monte Carlo Rally, while two Porsche 911 SC Coupés completed the East African Safari Rally over 5,000 km, finishing second and fourth overall. On the circuits, the arrival of the imposing Porsche 935/78 “Moby Dick” eclipsed every other model.

The manufacturer’s test track was honoured in 1979. This would later become more than an additional name in the history of the Porsche 911 and other models of the brand: the special edition Porsche 911 SC Weissach was produced.

The history of the Porsche 911 in the 80s

The 1980s brought new developments: the 930/60 engine of the Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3, with 300 CV at 5,500 rpm, now featured a dual exhaust outlet. In 1981 the Studie 911 Turbo 3.3 4×4 Cabriolet prototype was presented, which previewed what would become the all-wheel-drive, convertible version of the turbocharged model.

In 1982 the striking Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 Coupé Flachbau appeared, a model that modified the front end, initially including its headlights in the bumper and which, five years later, were relocated to the bonnet, where they became retractable.

From the spring of 1983 the world knew a new version, the cabrio, with the Porsche 911 SC Cabriolet. A new way of driving with the roof down, doing away with the roll-over hoop of the Targa version.

In the autumn of that same year the model was replaced by the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet which, besides a sliding roof, featured the flat spoiler like the Turbo version. This car had a 3,200 cc block and 231 CV, including a new electronic engine management system that reduced fuel consumption.

This did not mean the elimination of the Targa version; in fact, the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa with the 3.2 block is among the most appreciated versions of all time.

Derived from the production model, the Porsche Carrera 3.2 4×4 was built to take on the challenging Paris-Dakar Rally. Also in rallying, the Porsche 911 SC/RS was chosen to defend the brand in the Group B category. With only 20 units built, its engine produced 250 CV, and its agility and power made it as spectacular as it was effective.

In 1985 the chairman of Porsche’s board of directors, Peter W. Schutz, received the vehicle he had specifically requested: a Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Speedster Turbolook, thus introducing another new open-top variant.

The new G50 gearbox arrived in the history of the G-Series Porsche 911 in 1986: a reinforced version with a more manageable and effective synchronisation system. That year the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet included an electric hood whose opening and closing mechanisms were also electronically locked and unlocked.

1987 brought a record figure: the Porsche 911 reached 250,000 units produced. To commemorate it, 875 units of the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Sondermodell 250.000 were built, featuring “Silver Diamond” paint and leather interiors, and also a commemorative plaque in the cabin.

In 1989, the legacy of the Porsche 356 Speedster passed to the serial production of the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Speedster Turbolook. A convertible of which only 2,103 units were built.

The Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Speedster was also sold, an even narrower and more exclusive variant, with only 171 cars built, thus closing another chapter in the history of the Porsche 911: the G-Series, this second generation of the “nine-eleven”.

The History of the Porsche 911

-Part 1: A review of an unsurpassable saga

Technical specifications of this car

CoupePorsche 91119 versions · from 157,835 €