First time I've heard this term for my car

[autobonrun]

While doing some Porsche surfing on PCNA's site, I notice that Porsche calls the 1973 through 1989 Porsches "G Series". I know that the model number for Porsches are similar to a project number for the factory. However, what is the background on this G series description? It appears no other years carried or carry this letter designation.

http://www3.porsche.com/english/usa/911/40years/pcna/gserie/modelle_gserie.htm


http://www3.porsche.com/english/usa/911/40years/pcna/home.htm

[Randy Webb]

All the early cars have aletter designation, starting with "O", then A B C D....

See Frere's book for more. It's really the best book on the 911.

[autobonrun]

Originally posted by Randy Webb
All the early cars have aletter designation, starting with "O", then A B C D....

See Frere's book for more. It's really the best book on the 911.

Thanks Randy. I'll look for the book. I did not associate the earlier E, S, and T I'm familiar with and this G Series designation. I never knew the SC or Carrera had a letter designation. Also interesting that the letters did not go in order with the G being a later series than S. Maybe the Frere book will tell what characteristic triggered the factory to change the series designation.

[TMH]

Also, check out this site for some great information on the evolution of the 911:

http://www.idee.demon.nl/

Tom

[Jack Olsen]

G series has nothing to do with the specific model designation (T, L, E or S). It has to do with the iteration of the 911 itself, in chronological order, which didn't correspond on a 1:1 basis with the model year (i.e. the production of many letter-designated models were spread over a two-year period).

[andyjboy]

Autobonrun, the letters refer to points in the 911 production run where significant changes occurred :

Aug '64 Start of 'O' series (swb)

Aug '67 Start of 'A' series (swb)

Aug '68 Start of 'B' series (increase in wheelbase)

Aug '69 Start of 'C' series (introduction of 2.2 litre models)

Aug '70 Start of 'D' series (introduction of galvanised floorpan, crank-case squirters, sealed chain tensioners,etc)

Aug '71 Start of 'E' series (introduction of 2.4 engine, oil tank moved to infront of right rear wheel with external filler flap, etc)

Aug '72 Start of 'F' series (oil tank switched back to original position, door beams introduced, etc)

Aug '73 Start of 'G' series (Impact bumpers, 2.7 engine, etc)


After this, introduction of the next letter series became an automatic annual occurrence until the letter 'L' was reached (Aug'78). The whole process then started again with the 'A' series (Aug '79) & continued each year (no 'O' or 'U' series) right up to & including the introduction of the 996 ('W' series) .

Andy
'69 911E-------->R

[autobonrun]

Thanks for the links and info.

Andy, using the letter designations to represent significant changes in the car makes sense to me and is consistent with Jack's response. I'm still curious why PCNA lists the "G series" for 73 through 89 when your data states there were many more letter designations used during that same period. Also, I don't like the idea of changing the letter designation just because the year changes. This defeats the purpose of its earlier use. Your descriptions of adding galvanized floor pans and sealed chain tensioners fit the description of significant.

I can see a letter change from the 964 to the 993, maybe even from the 95 to 96 993 due to the intake change, and definitely from the 993 to 996. However unless Porsche now considers the addition of cupholders a significant improvement, I'd think all 996's could carry the same letter designation. Since my car was manufactured in January of 79, I guess I have a 79SC-L. Hmm, doesn't quite look right, but still good to know.

[Early_S_Man]

Actually, for PCNA to refer to '73 thru '89 models as G-series cars makes a bit of sense for marketing types with little capability for technical details! The G-series 'bumper cars' commenced production in August 1973 as 1974 models, and there were no significant changes to the body shell through the end of '89 production 3.2 Carreras.

The PCNA Parts and Technical Reference is specifically targeted at '74 thru '89 models, as older cars have no significance to PCNA, and don't represent any demographics they are interested in!