1974 Porsche line up Car and Driver review

[1979-930]

While looking for some specifications I came across a 1974 article comparing the 911, 911S and 911 Carrera. The test driver was Bobby Allison. Not a good article for Porsche. It was interesting to read the opinion and view toward the cars in 1974.
My favorite comment was the last one about the Carrera.
"Clearly, some sort of snow plow is needed in the front to match the effectiveness of the ski ramp in the rear."

1974 Porsche 911 vs. 911S Targa, 911S Carrera – Archived Comparison Test – Car and Driver

[stevej37]

Good article..thanks for posting the link.
Prob not going to be liked by a lot of P-fans...Allison told it as he saw it.

[87maniac]

The missing front spoiler had something to do with the snowplow comments.
What was the first year for the front spoiler ?

" ... the front tires' weight loss due to airflow is approximately 200 lbs. be*tween
60 and 100 mph. But by 120 mph, the rear spoiler is actually a disadvantage,
because it unloads the front end by an additional 60 lbs. over the non-spoilered car.
Clearly, some sort of snow plow is needed in the front to match the effectiveness
of the ski ramp in the rear. "

[RSTarga]

The 73 front spoiler was more effective.

[Charles Freeborn]

Interesting. The S is the same as my car, right down to Bilsteins.
Common practice is to add a valence or chin spoiler if you have a ducktail...without it gets interesting at speed...
Boy howdy I sure wish I'd bought an "$12,000 Corvair", especially a Carrera, back then and put it in a climate controlled garage...

[1979-930]

I'm aware of the Aero changes Porsche made after 74 to correct the issues.
I just thought it was interesting to read such a negative article about the cars from back then. It doesn't change what we all know like about our cars.

[Arne2]

Bear in mind that back in those days, Car and Driver was always trying to show up the established magazines, especially R&T. So anytime they could be contrary, they were. That article makes a point of saying they asked Allison to drive because he wasn't a Porsche driver and so he was unbiased. But the truth was that they picked him because they knew he didn't particularly like Porsches (as noted in the article), and could be counted on to say some unflattering things.

True, they weren't perfect cars, but that article was written solely to be sensationalist.

[Jack Stands]

Kind of how Jeremy Clarkson talks about Porsche's these days!

[gulf908]

After David E Davis,Car & Driver were in the business of selling magazines and not doing car reviews.
If you want to find a reasonable accurate review of a prospective car then the English language magazines were Road & Track,UK Motor and Autocar for a realistic review.
C & D under Davis was excellent with their own sense of humour that changed to something less than constructive when Yates & Mandel took over.
A prime example was the CD review of the original 914-4.
They bagged the car without highlighting its strong points.
While the 1970 914 wasnt perfect,Porsche could have done without a poor review such as that.


IMHO
Dennis.

[Matt Monson]

Media bias to serve their own ends? Unheard of...

[1979-930]

Or in hind site it's a review of Bobby Allison's poor driving skills and inability to adjust to a different driving style.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

Boy howdy I sure wish I'd bought an "$12,000 Corvair", especially a Carrera, back then and put it in a climate controlled garage...

That $12,000 invested in an S&P 500 fund would be worth $300k today.
With reinvested dividends, it would be worth $900k.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

After reading this article I've decided to sell my cars and get a 74 Mustang.