964, the ugly duckling 911? I don't think so.

[cantdrv55]

As I was pumping gas with my back to the street, I heard this cool sounding growl getting closer. It was a black 964 turbo pulling up to the next pump. I exchange howdy-doos with the owner and we start checking each other's ride out. Man, his 964 turbo is sweeet. Triple black with, I think, Fikse wheels. I've read that many people regard 964s as the ugly duckling of the 911 bunch but this car was a black swan. I wish I had my camera. He's never heard of Pelican so I educated him a bit. I hope he logs on sometime and shares pics. I'd like to see pics of other 964s out there. Any proud owners want to share?

[cantdrv55]

Oops, wrong forum. Moderators, please move this to the 964 board. Thanks.

[CJFusco]

well, up to about 1997 or so the 964 was sorta the "ugly duckling" of the 911 range... it had what was considered in-between styling, as if it was stuck with the shape of the 74-89 inpact bumper but the smooth, integrated metalwork of the 993.

I think the term "ugly duckling" is meant a bit tongue-in-cheek - I think peopl mean it is less attractive than, say, a 993 or a 3.2. That being said, I think the 964 is a great-looking car - compared to, say, a 996.

[CJFusco]

why not?

Some great-looking 964s.









they are all from a 964 website photo contest

[aigel]

It is an ugly duckling if it has the narrow body. The widebody is a whole different story. I'd take that in a heartbeat. I think I'd take a 964 turbo over the earlier one (style wise) any day. Can't say that about the narrow 964. All the castles in the world and all the aftermarket rims you can buy can't change that.

George

[gduke]

Those 3 pice wheels look so good on a 964. I think they look better on that style than anyother. So, if you think your 964 doesn't appear as stylish as an earlier moldel, put a set of 3 pieces on it.

[Elombard]

I prefer the 964 styling always have liked it with the Cup 1s and lowered it rocks!!

[porschenut]

I prefer the mid-year Carreras but 964's are absolutely not ugly ducklings.

[JNadal]

Id take a 964 RS (Euro) over a 996 GT3 any day

964 bumpers are alot nicer than the older bumpers (not that the old bumpers looked bad) after the 964, the 911 started to mutate into the windtunnel shaped body that it is now hated for having.

[klaucke]

I prefer the many 964's to many G-series cars. Of course, some cars with certain color combo's, wheels, and ride height just look good, but I have never considered a 964 an ugly duckling. It retains that classic shape but without the ugly impact bumpers. Not to mention that the 964 is so technically modern in comparison. 996 is the ugly duckling as far as I'm concerned.

[D Hanson]

I used to think the same way. Now that I have mine, I wouldn't take anything else for it.

[CJFusco]

except for your other three Porsches.

lucky bastard.

[A Quiet Boom]

I'm going the 964 turbo look for my '73 track car. I think my favorite part about the 964 styling is the way the bumpers are smoothed into the rest of the car. I particularily like the RSA bumpers.

[Sonic dB]

Dont forget the movie "Bad Boys" with the sweet 964 Turbo driven by Wil Smith. I still dont know how they got the 5-9 babe into the back seat though. Camera trick.

[10zz964]

I love mine! she's a beautie!

[10zz964]

one more..

[Wrecked944]

I hardly notice the styling when my head is pressed back against the seat and I am holding on to the steering wheel for dear life !! I have seen the light, brother, and that 3.6 made me a believer - even sans varioram.

[}{arlequin]

I've always wanted a 964. It had enough of the "old" look (unlike 993's profile) that it seemed classic, and yet it was fairly modern inside. I loved the longhoods all along, but I thought that those required more work and maintenance and that I would be getting that car after a 964. It all turned out just the opposite for me, but I'm still yearning for a 964.

As for the bumpers, they are not the prettiest, but that disappears a bit if the car is black, and also, I could always replace them with some fiberglass parts that are much closer-fitting... seen them in some catalogue.

[TMH]

Hey, you guys DO remember that they made 964's in colors other than black? To me, our GP White car is beautiful, and is a real sleeper in that color. White actually makes the design 90 wheels not look all that bad to me. Regarding the overall styling, I think that the 964 is the last of the "original" 911 shape, with true "frog's eyes". I like ours every bit (from a styling perspective) as much as the '87's we also have. We could then talk about how it drives with that beautiful 3.6 and the AWD, but I don't think we have enough bandwidth. Needless to say, I drive our 964 whenever the wife lets me!

Tom

[Shuie]

One of my favorite cars I have seen on this site is a 964