Background
‘Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.’
In fact, scratch that, there’s a reason why that’s the case. Big man, if you’re giving out freebies, then I’ll have Porker and a 911 at that please. There’s a reason why generation after generation of this Stuttgart wonder has been, and continues to be, voted ‘best sports car’.
In one of the automotive world’s most extraordinary tales of longevity (putting aside a momentary wobble at the tale end of the Seventies) the rear-engined, six-cylinder sports car from Stuttgart is still going strong in the present day.
Having first appeared in 1963, that means classic 911 aficionados can choose from an incredible variety of flavours. From the elegant Butzi Porsche designed original, with its evolved 356 looks and in all its air-cooled glory, through legendary hardcore ‘S and Carrera RS models, to the barnstorming Turbo. And pause for breath.
There’s a car for every budget, and you’ll be assured of clean lines, well-engineered mechanicals and groovy period cabins that combine to give that quintessential 911 experience.
Engines were naturally aspirated or fuel-injected until 1975 arrival of the Turbo, while gearboxes could be had in manual or semi-auto Sportomatic flavours.
Your final choice: tin-top, targa or ragtop? A convertible roof allows pure, unadulterated top-down pleasure, whilst a Coupe looks pure but does deny you any free-flowing pleasure. Porsche, of course, combined both to become the targa-meister. The choice is yours.
If that’s you, then this well-maintained example should be right up your street. Having driven it we can confirm that life’s a blast when the top’s off and an air-cooled six has your back.
