ltc

IIRC, With the introduction of the 964 back in 89?
The GT1 derived Mezger is, IMHO, the single greatest production engine in history, both on and off the track.
It is expensive, in both parts and assembly, hence the cost reduced replacements ... along with the introduction of terms like "integrated dry sump".

People buy these cars for all sorts of reasons. I just happen to admire the Mezger, a dry sump and wooden floorboards. Oh, and winning LeMans with the engine was a nice touch as well.

My 95 968Cab (now living in GA with a lifelong friend) was the 3rd to last one built, the end of the hand built era at Porsche, which for me held some meaning.

Buy the car that you like for the reasons that only matter to you.
I still get grief for owning an 01 996Turbo with less than 6K miles, but the world needs garage queens too

SJSwanson

Lewis - Cool response! I am sentimental about my '78 911. I often wish I still had it.

So '95 is the last of the hand built Mezgers? That was also the end of air cooled wasn't it?

I wish I was Jay Leno and could collect these babies!

Thanks for your kind replies.

Steve

ltc

No, sorry I wasn't clear.
95 was the end of hand built production Porsches, like the 968.

Last time I was at the factory, they were still hand building Mezgers, then wheeling them into the dyno cells for full power output checks.
Pretty cool stuff to watch.

Boeing 717

I read an article, i think in total 911 I was just looking for it but couldnt find it, which stated that the Metzger first went into a road car in the 964 but it actually goes back to earlier racing days. The later racing engine in the GT-1 also a Metzger derived engine was actually three engines in one with the case from earlier racing 911's, the cylinders off of 930's (I think) and the heads off of the 959. If I can find the article Ill try and be more accurate.

SJSwanson

Lewis / Jerry - Thanks for the extra details! I am really enjoying getting all this history and information. I wish someone knew (shared) more about the 9A1 engine. I talked with the maint mgr at the 911 opening at the local dealership. Seems like a dearth of data available. His comment (which reflects most folks here on the forum) is don't woory, be happy! I think the earier comment that this is a "bridging" engine from the Mezger to the "next big thing" may be true. Not using the 9A1 in the GT3 or GT2 says something (maybe just waiting ??).

Again, thanks to you and others for the scoop. I love my 997-2 turbo (with 6 more years of warranty) but the additional information is extremely interesting to me.

Steve

Boeing 717

How did you get 6 more years of warranty??

ca993twin

I am interested in this tidbit as well. How did the Mezger design differ from the earlier 901 derived engines? I was under the impression that all of the 911 air-cooled engines were similar... just evolutionary changes for displacement increases and more power. Please... more technical details. Thanks.

SJSwanson

I purchased an additional 3 years when I bought the car. It was about $2500 but only covers the big ticket items - turbos, engine, transmission ... etc. It is a 3rd party warranty. I can look up the supplier if you would like - the document is in the safety depsoit box.

Steve

Boeing 717

Yea it would be nice to know for me as I hope to get a 997 turbo in a few months and am interested in some sort of warranty.

Boeing 717

Ill do my best to find that article today, i just read it probably less than a month ago but it was an old magazine. I just have to find which one.

Zeus993

Great book, Porsche and Me, the autobiography of Hans Mezger, for those who are interested.

Turb-OH Brad

The Mezger has it's roots in the 934 3 liter turbo which was introduced in 1976. It carried on through the 935, 936, 956, 962, GT1, GT2 etcetera...

Obviously there have been incremental changes, but they are the same basic structure.