It was evident to Porsche management in the late Fifties that the 356 series was rapidly becoming dated and reaching the end of its development potential, so in 1959 Ferdinand Porsche began designing a new car. A number of criteria were laid down: the car would have no more than a 2,200mm wheelbase and would carry two adults and two children. The new model was introduced at the Frankfurt Show in September 1963. It was a significant advance on the outgoing car, providing greater performance, space and refinement. The new engine, a 1,991cc horizontally-opposed six cylinder unit designed by Ferdinand Piech, was again situated in the rear to maximise space and produced 130bhp.

First named the 901, Porsche had to change the name to 911 as Peugeot held copyright on all three digit car model numbers with a zero in the middle. The 911 is perhaps the most timeless design ever seen in motoring history, not only has this model now become seemingly immortal, but it has undergone the most rigorous development programme over its life of possibly any car. An instant success in motor sport 911’s have won such diverse rallies as the Monte Carlo & the Paris to Dakar.

Since its inception in 1963 and through the 1970’s there have been a multitude of models culminating in the landmark SC (Super Carrera) with a 3.0 litre engine, 204 bhp and first presented at the 1977 Frankfurt Motor Show in either coupe or targa form. This 911 was capable of 0 – 60 mph in 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 148 mph.

Introduced for the 1984 model year, the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 replaced the 911 3.0 SC. It shared the same body and chassis with a number of detail improvements. Coupe, Targa and Cabriolet body styles were available as was, for some markets, a 'Turbo Look' option, incorporating the wider body of the Turbo and its trademark 'whale tail' spoiler. The 911 Carrera 3.2 was really a further development of the tried and tested 911 series, now offering an enlarged engine with a power output of some 231bhp. Other than in detail the body remained unchanged from the 911 3.0 SC, while the interior was gradually improved, although over the course of its production life many details were changed and several additional options were offered.

One of the venerable supercars of the 80’s and recently voted the most desirable car of the decade in an HPI survey. With its low kerb weight (1160 kgs) and 231 bhp it reached 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, and onto 100 mph in 13.6 seconds, matching the turbo version to 60 mph and only a second behind the 100 mph figure (from Motor road tests).