Best resource to read up on different years of the 911?

[Nourdmrolnmt1]

Hoping to possibly save up some money and purchase a earlier 911. not sure on ALL the details of all porsches thus i would like to read up.

I would prefer a late 70's early 80;'s but i want to read up on specs, what to look out for, etc.

i can wrench, and repair (cant weld, but my father can). I would not be afraid of messing around with a car, but i dont want to throw to much around. $15k will be my limit when i do get it saved up. as that is all i can and want to throw around right now.

if i could purchase one for $10k and then plan on putting $5k into it i would do that. but i know other things always pop up.

any suggestions?

[Zef]

First...welcome aboard. The book I suggest is right here. Do a search on the BBS...you will find a lot of info. Keep logged on the BBS and watch....
IMO...The SC is the one for you...!

[Nourdmrolnmt1]

Originally posted by zefsuper911
First...welcome aboard. The book I suggest is right here. Do a search on the BBS...you will find a lot of info. Keep logged on the BBS and watch....
IMO...The SC is the one for you...!

I'm on enough msg boards daily as is. i work, im trying to get a website up, and what not.

also, can people post pics of the different versions? and a quick run down of the different modles year to year, and what not?

[randywebb]

try the Used 911 Story by Peter Zimmerman

more in depth - Paul Frere's book on the 911

people are very unlikely to repeat something for you that has been posted dozens of times before...

[Rich76_911s]

Another good book would be Bruce Andersons, "911 performance Handbook." The books mentioned by others I do not have, but I've heard all good things about them.

Here is a VERY quick Photo journal of the 911's journey through time:

In essence you can break it down into two categories from 1963 to 1989

The Longhoods
1963 - 1968
Short wheel base long-hoods
1969-1973
Long Wheel base Long-hoods




And then in 1974 Impact bumper laws helped to create the short hoods. I'll give you a little more detail here because this is the group it seems like you are interested in. Plus it is the one I know more about.
Short hoods can be broken down into 3 groups

1. Mid years 1974 - 1977
These had a 2.7L engine. The 2.7 does not have a great reputation and many suggest vearing away from them. Another thing to know is that Porsche did not start galvanizing until sometime in 1976 so watch for rust on 76 and older cars. Mid year cars had only a minimal flare in the rear.



2. SC 1978 -1983
The 911 SC had a displacement increase up to 3.0L. The engine is a large improvement over the 2.7 L. Look up carerra pressure fed chain tensioners on here. It is a modification you should look for on any SC you are concidering. The SC had a flaired rear quarter panel.

3. Carerra 1984 -1989
The carerra recieved another bump in displacement to 3.2L. These engines had fuel and ignition control comming from the motronic DME. The 3.2 is concidered a strong engine but you have to watch out for valve guide wear, particularly on exhaust valves. In 1987 porsche changed from the 915 transmission to the G-50 transmission. Also sometime in there the Horse Power Rating went 207 to 217, probably in '87 as well but I am not sure on that.

[skipdup]

"Porsche 911 - Forever Young" by Tobias Aichele.

The foreword was written by Dr. Ferry Porsche.

In addition to being an interesting historical read (with pretty pictures ), also includes a comprehensive chronology of model development (year to year changes, specs, options, etc), technical specs, chassis numbers, etc.

Available at amazon

- Skip

[dentist90]

Rich76... good answer, a 1st time 911 buyer will appreciate the brief history you have provided.
One of the classic reads must be R Leffingwell's 911 Buyers guide. It summarizes the changes from year to year, including things to watch out for. I noticed that it is a bit redundant at times and some of the specs are not accurate, but a good general overview of the evolution of the 911.

[DarrylD]

I've got them all... Excellence Was Expected, Porsche 911 - Forever Young, 911 Buyers Guide, Used 911 Story, etc. etc.

The one I like the most is this one:

Original Porsche 911 by Peter Morgan (available thru MotorBooks.com)



Lots of great photos, complete specs and production data at $25.