From its inception with the 356, Porsche has carved a name for itself in the sports and luxury car scene. Today, the larger Porsche brand is a status symbol, but drill down a bit further into each model year, and you’ll find that each vehicle possesses its own unique success story. No two stories are the same when it comes to what made these Porsches sought after by car enthusiasts worldwide.
If you’re just getting into collecting Porsche cars, here’s a quick look at some of the most popular vehicles Porsche has ever produced.
Porsche 356 (1948–1965)
Certified on June 8, 1948, the ‘Gmünd Roadster’ marked the beginning of Porsche as a production car manufacturer. This classic car, with its Volkswagen-derived, air-cooled flat-four engine, was a marvel of its time. It was finely tuned to deliver 35 horsepower and capable of reaching thrilling speeds up to 83 mph.
From the outset, the 356 exuded both elegance and simplicity in its design, evolving from the early ‘pre-A’ models with their distinctive two-piece windscreens to the single-piece bent glass that adorned the 1952 model.
For those who favored the wind in their hair, the 356 did not disappoint. It offered a range of open-top convertibles, including the Cabriolet, Speedster, and Roadster. Today, the convertible 356s are the most valuable, with some models selling for more than $700,000.
- Year of Release: 1948
- Cost on Release: $3,750
- Average Cost Today: $75,000
- Level of Rarity: Semi-Rare
- Key Features: Two-part windshield
Porsche 911S (1967–1973)
Porsche ushered in a new era of performance and style in 1967 with the launch of the 911S. This classic Porsche model captivated drivers with its unique and sporty design and powerful 160-hp engine. As Porsche refined its design, it was able to pack in more power, so the 1973 911S has 180 hp.
Like the 356, Porsche made both a coupe and a convertible option for the 911S, but they did not make very many. In fact, the 911S is one of the hardest classic Porsche models to get your hands on today.
Note that the data is somewhat inconsistent when it comes to Porsche’s records on the total number of 911S models produced in 1971 and 1972. However, we can estimate that at least 12,000 911S models rolled off the factory floor during the six-year production run.
- Year of Release: 1967
- Cost on Release: $15,730
- Average Cost Today: $200, 000
- # of Models Produced: ~12,000
- Level of Rarity: Very Rare
- Key Features: 160-180 hp engine
Porsche 911 Turbo (930) (1975–1989)
The Porsche 911 Turbo (930) is renowned for its exhilarating performance and bold design, earning it the intimidating nickname ‘widowmaker’. The 930 featured a formidable 3.0 L engine, later augmented by a 3.3 L in 1978, along with an intercooler that pushed the power output to a heart-racing 300 PS.
The 930 was originally only marketed in Germany, but Porsche reintroduced the 930 to the U.S. and Japan in 1986, equipped with an emission-controlled engine that still managed an impressive 282 hp.
This turbocharged powerhouse was a game-changer for Porsche, setting the stage for a new breed of supercars that melded luxury and speed. About 23,000 were produced.
- Year of Release: 1975
- Cost on Release: $30,000
- Average Cost Today: $500,000
- # of Models Produced: ~23,000
- Level of Rarity: Rare
- Key Features: The ‘tea tray’ spoiler
Porsche 914 (1969–1976)
The Porsche 914 stands out in the company’s history as an enigma—a mid-engined sports car that was available solely as a targa-topped two-seat roadster. Unveiled in 1968, it was a joint venture between Porsche and Volkswagen, with the intent to market a flat-four engine variant as a Volkswagen and a flat-six engine variant as a Porsche in European markets.
The 914 had a very high production run, with about 118,000 in total. The 914/8 only produced 2 models (one of which resides in Ferry Porsche’s garage), while the 914/6 produced 3,332, making it more sought after than the 914/4 models.
The 914/4 displayed Porsche’s capability to cater to a wider audience without compromising the brand’s high-performance ethos.
- Year of Release:1969
- Cost on Release: $4,545
- Average Cost Today: $20,000
- # of Models Produced: ~3,332
- Level of Rarity: Not that rare
- Key Features: Pop-up headlamps
Porsche 928 (1978–1995)
Porsche broke new ground in 1978 with the introduction of the 928. This grand tourer deviated from tradition by featuring a powerful 4.5-liter V8 engine at the front. This classic Porsche model was a bold response to the energy crisis of the 1970s, a period when the future of high-performance vehicles was uncertain.
In 1989, Porsche upgraded the 928 with a more powerful engine in the 928 GT, which had an output of 330 PS. Then, in 1992, they topped that yet again with the 928 GTS, which boasted 350 PS.
While exact production numbers weren’t published by Porsche, collectors have estimated that there are about 61,000 928 models in existence.
- Year of Release: 1978
- Cost on Release: $38,500
- Average Cost: $10,000
- # of Models Produced: ~61,000
- Level of Rarity: Not that rare
- Key Features: Front engine
Porsche 964 Carrera RS (1992–1994)
The Porsche 964 Carrera RS, introduced in the early ‘90s, was a lightweight purist’s dream inspired by the legendary 1973 911 Carrera RS. Engineers meticulously shaved nearly 300 pounds from the Carrera 2 to achieve a fighting weight of just 2,706 pounds, making the 964 Carrera RS a featherweight contender in the performance arena.
But the 964 Carrera RS was not just about shedding pounds; it was also about adding power. The 3.6-liter boxer engine was tuned to deliver 260 hp, and the suspension was race-tuned, dropping the car by 40mm and stiffening the ride for razor-sharp handling.
The 964 Carrera RS, offered in base, touring, and N-GT versions, remains a coveted piece of Porsche history. It embodies the thrill of motorsport in a street-legal package, making it a highly sought-after sale.
- Year of Release: 1992
- Cost on Release: $60,000
- Average Cost: $280,000
- # of Models Produced: ~Unknown
- Level of Rarity: Very Rare
- Key Features: Lightweight aluminum design
Porsche 993 Turbo (1995–1998)
As the first 911 Turbo equipped with all-wheel drive, the 993 Turbo offered a level of traction that transformed the driving experience, making the car’s prodigious power more accessible than ever before.
This classic Porsche model was propelled by a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine that churned out an awe-inspiring 402 horsepower, a figure that remains impressive even by today’s standards. The iconic whale-tail spoiler did more than just add to the car’s aggressive aesthetic; it housed the intercoolers that were crucial to the twin-turbo setup.
With approximately 6,000 units leaving the factory, the 993 Turbo 3.6 is highly collectible. Its distinctive 18-inch alloy wheels with hollow spokes became a signature feature, while its larger brakes set a new benchmark for stopping power in the 911 range.
- Year of Release: 1995
- Cost on Release: $100,000
- Average Cost: $300,000
- # of Models Produced: 6,000
- Level of Rarity: Very Rare
- Key Features: Turbocharged flat-six engine
Protect Your Porsche with Proper Storage
If you’re thinking about buying one of these classic Porsches, or any other classic car for that matter, you’ll need a place to store it. Older cars like these Porsches are investments, so it’s critical that you protect them.
Leaving your car out in your driveway isn’t enough because the hot sun and other elements can cause damage to the paint job, interior, and even the mechanics.
If you’re not planning on using your 911 Turbo as a daily driver, you should consider storing it in a private residential garage, a parking garage, a canopied parking lot, or a luxury car storage lot. Not sure where to find the right parking solution?
Neighbor.com has car storage options in all 50 states. They’re a peer-to-peer storage marketplace that helps you find storage spaces in your neighborhood for 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
So don’t let your precious Porsche gather dust in your cramped garage or overheat out on the curb! Find an affordable car storage solution today.
The post Top 7 Classic Porsches Of All Time appeared first on Neighbor Blog.