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It's true that the AC was weak with these cars even when new. There are good (modern) solutions to that today however - if having AC matters to you (and it does not to me in a car such as this - in fact, the AC components on my car are removed and in boxes.)
219 horsepower - yes. You have to put that into perspective though. The car weighs about 2,600 lbs.
The magic in these cars has nothing to do with achieving high speed in a brief moment.
The ultra-compact size of the car (you almost wear it); lack of power equipment; exceedingly direct steering and braking feel; low center of gravity; and the sound of a normally aspirated air-cooled flat six located just a few feet behind your back (not much sound insulation in these cars.)
What a gem!! I would like to add an Air Cooled 911 but the prices/condition would keep going up. I've narrowed it down a '72-73, 964 and 993. I would prefer the '73 to not have air conditioning.
When I test drove a 993 Base, the air conditioning kept changing from cool, warm, hot, cool. hot, warm, cool, hot, warm.
Those of us who were lucky to own Aircooled 356's/911's/993's will always remember the simplicity and more basic engineering.
When taking drives from Seattle to Los Angeles in my 356 during summers, I had to drive in the shade of tractor trailers out of direct sun to avoid high oil Temps.
Some of the most fun times driving long distances. There's an exciting/fun aspect not knowing if you will make your destination which you don't get with 997 The magic is the smell of the hot oil after parking it in the garage
@groovzilla
WHAAAT!! Really?!!!! Oh my! "....I had to drive in the shade of tractor trailers out of direct sun to avoid high oil Temps."
@groovzilla
WHAAAT!! Really?!!!! Oh my! "....I had to drive in the shade of tractor trailers out of direct sun to avoid high oil Temps."
Yeah the problem with most early 356's is they ran hot. Small not-so great Oil Cooler was tucked under fan schroud in hot engine compartment. - Not mounted up front like the early 911 where it actually made sense and had chance to be effective.
They offered an aftermarket larger Aluminum Oil Cooler which helped.
That’s my point 997.2 numbers are much smaller and that’s overall sales when you get into special cars the comparable numbers are even smaller
yes the economy had a lot to do with it
so get your special 997.2 cars NOW
I did my Turbo S is a rocket wrapped in velvety smoothness
Good point. Fitting newer stuff isn't easy. Car journalist Jethro Bovingdon had Litchfield install a 991 engine into his 1998 996.1. Seemed straightforward but it took major rework. The results, however, are spectacular.
I really like what Jethro did with his 996.3 (awesome name btw) and I think it shows how we could potentially look at a modern version of a restomod. He kept it "in the family" by using a Porsche engine and did something different and something nobody has done, to my knowledge. And let's be honest, Jethro is not some random guy. He's been in the car industry for a long time and and has been able to build many relationships, which is why he was able to work with Litchfield to take this project on. What typically makes retromods cool is the unique and different things that are done to the car and this is a good example from the mechanical perspective. What's probably most impressive to me is that he was able to get the car up to 186mph is a 25yo chassis and have it be nice and stable!
Speaking of different and unique...how about this 964 with a GT3RS engine stuffed into it? I bet that wasn't any easier but how cool is it! I know some air-cooled folks might not agree having a water-cooled engine in there but you got to give credit where it's due for making this work. BTW, I'm not saying we should be stuffing air-cooled engines into a 997 or another water cooled car hah!
Ya can't just blame gov't regulation for the demise of the air cooled engines. Porsche was already using water cooling
in the race cars, because competition and reliability demanded it.
From the "Porsche 997, The Essential Companion" book - all are total production numbers from the model year 2011 -
bottom of the financial crisis:
Carrera Coupe........840
Carrera S Coup.......849 - When I bought mine the dealer estimated only about 100 6sp manuals were sold in the US that year
GTS Coup...............2265
Turbo Coupe...........528
Turbo S Coupe........1180
GT3 RS 4.0 .............550
As you'd expect, the moneyed class was still buying whatever their hearts desired.
Ya can't just blame gov't regulation for the demise of the air cooled engines. Porsche was already using water cooling
in the race cars, because competition and reliability demanded it.
Watercooling was the future and already proven in other Porsche cars on the track and yes, on the street. Porsche has been quoted many times in books on the subject that retiring the aircooled engine was because of the pressure to meet newer, stricter emissions regulations AND to reach the power requirements to stay competitive.
I really like what Jethro did with his 996.3 (awesome name btw) and I think it shows how we could potentially look at a modern version of a restomod. He kept it "in the family" by using a Porsche engine and did something different and something nobody has done, to my knowledge. And let's be honest, Jethro is not some random guy. He's been in the car industry for a long time and and has been able to build many relationships, which is why he was able to work with Litchfield to take this project on. What typically makes retromods cool is the unique and different things that are done to the car and this is a good example from the mechanical perspective. What's probably most impressive to me is that he was able to get the car up to 186mph is a 25yo chassis and have it be nice and stable!
Speaking of different and unique...how about this 964 with a GT3RS engine stuffed into it? I bet that wasn't any easier but how cool is it! I know some air-cooled folks might not agree having a water-cooled engine in there but you got to give credit where it's due for making this work. BTW, I'm not saying we should be stuffing air-cooled engines into a 997 or another water cooled car hah!
The air cooled guys will cringe but this is the Crème de la Crème of a 911! Good reliable power in a very light weight, compact chassis. This is awesome!
Good point. Fitting newer stuff isn't easy. Car journalist Jethro Bovingdon had Litchfield install a 991 engine into his 1998 996.1. Seemed straightforward but it took major rework. The results, however, are spectacular.
It's true that the AC was weak with these cars even when new. There are good (modern) solutions to that today however - if having AC matters to you (and it does not to me in a car such as this - in fact, the AC components on my car are removed and in boxes.)
219 horsepower - yes. You have to put that into perspective though. The car weighs about 2,600 lbs.
The magic in these cars has nothing to do with achieving high speed in a brief moment.
The ultra-compact size of the car (you almost wear it); lack of power equipment; exceedingly direct steering and braking feel; low center of gravity; and the sound of a normally aspirated air-cooled flat six located just a few feet behind your back (not much sound insulation in these cars.)
Well said. If you want more power and ice-cold AC in a Porsche, buy a new 911. If you want old-school feel and charm in a stunning, all-time gorgeous sports car, buy an F or G-body.
I just added this one as a brother for my 997. Iris blue metallic. You won't find many in this 1985-'86-only color.
01-23-2024, 11:59 AM
