From 1982 until 1991, the Porsche 944 was a sports car produced by the German automaker Porsche. The 944 was a mid-level front-engine, rear-wheel-drive car built on the 924 platform. It was offered in coupe or cabriolet body types with either naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines. Before the Boxster and 997 Carrera were introduced, the 944 was Porsche’s most popular sports car with over 163,000 vehicles built.
Porsche decided to abandon the 944 label and rebrand the car as the 968 for the 1992 model year after making significant design changes.
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A Complete Idiot’s Guide To The Difficult Porsche 911 Range
The Porsche 911 model line is one of the biggest mysteries in the automotive industry. The history and line-up of this renowned sports car can appear confusing at first look due to the sheer number of variations and special editions that have been produced throughout the years. But don’t worry; we’ve created an idiot’s guide to help you understand the Porsche craziness.
We’ll start by looking at designations. The words, letters, or numbers that follow “911” could indicate whether you are looking at a relatively nimble all-wheel drive vehicle with 385 horsepower or a 720 horsepower, rear-drive monster.
An Automotive Legend (1964-1972)
After 17 years and 77,361 units constructed, manufacture of the 10,000th356 concludes. Porsche releases the 912, a 911 body with a former 356 four-cylinder engine, in response to the need for a new entry-level vehicle. $4000 in the US
Production surpasses 14,000 units. Porsche adds a new multistory assembly operation to the Zuffenhausen complex, increasing its size.
Porsche introduces the 914, a mid-engine sportscar with a reduced price tag, to replace the 912. The 914 is available with either a Porsche six-cylinder engine (914/6) or a Volkswagen four-cylinder engine.
In Germany’s Weissach, Porsche establishes its Research & Development Center. Ferry Porsche is appointed chairman of Porsche AG’s supervisory board.
Increasing the model lineup
However, the 911 would not be the sole model line offered by the Porsche firm. A smaller, lighter mid-engine sports vehicle was introduced with the 914, and over time, models like the 924, 928, and 944 joined their older sibling. Additionally, they were given their internal number and model names, always utilizing the initial iteration. The three-digit number with the first digit 9 had by this point, at the latest, been internationally recognized as being the dependable sporting figure from Zuffenhausen.
However, the 900 numbers quickly ran out and started to compete with one another. However, the engineers remained with their system out of tradition. Pure racing automobiles also required internal type numbers in addition to the numerous street-legal variants. One such instance is the fabled 917, which was launched at the 1969 Geneva International Motor Show and went on to win numerous races throughout the first half of the 1970s. The extreme athlete won the overall title at Le Mans the following year.
Thus, the need for flexibility increased while naming all of the Porsche models. The 911 serves as a perfect example of this: starting with the 1968 model year, the series was officially known internally as the “A Series.” The “B Series” came next in 1969, then the “C Series” in 1970, and so on until the “G Series,” which had undergone a significant makeover, was unveiled in 1973. As was the case with the internal Type 930, commonly known as the 911 Turbo or the Type 954 (911 SC/RS), unique vehicles within the series occasionally also acquired their own type number.
The debut of the entirely revised 964 model series in 1988 marked a significant turning point in the 911’s history. In 1993, came the 993. In the current model, we then return to the 991 after the 996 and 997. There are even more models to be discovered between the 911’s internal numbers, with examples including the Carrera GT (internal 980), the Boxster (986 first generation, 987 second generation, and 981 third generation), and the Cayenne (955). The three-digit number tradition is being upheld, albeit with a little bit of artistic license.
The Porsche staff also give some models sentimental nicknames in addition to the official titles and internal type numbers: one model of the 356, for instance, was called the “Dame” (Lady), and the 917/20 Le Mans race vehicle is remembered as the “Sau” (Pink Pig). But that is a whole different tale.
In addition to the official model designations, there are other suffixes used to designate the various model variations. An overview is given below.
Porsche-like digits
The model numbers on Porsches might be rather perplexing if you are unfamiliar with them. For example, the Porsche 911 is available as a 964, 993, 996, 997, or 991 and may be badged “Carrera,” yet they are all 911s in reality.
Beyond the 911, even Porsches with names, like the Boxster, have a Porsche type number that aficionados use to distinguish between the different versions. which may further confuse matters! Porsche assigned type numbers to its race cars, engines, and gearboxes in addition to its road vehicles. Additionally, they recycled one or two numbers for various projects.
These Porsche-style numbers all start with a “9” and are all three figures. Here is a complete list of all known Porsche 900-series type numbers to help with clarification. Even though we listed some numbers as “unknown,” it’s possible that Porsche hasn’t really used them.
If you know anything about Porsche type numbers that aren’t listed here, please get in contact.
356 Porsche
Everything begins with the first-ever. The Porsche 356 was the car that made this German carmaker famous for its VW Beetle/bathtub styling. Even while the original 356 didn’t have enough power to be considered a “sports car worthy” model, later generations, like the 356C, received beefier engines that gave these antiques new life.
What a modern sports vehicle should feel and drive like was defined by the 356. It was sturdy, portable, and quite firm. More significantly, it helped Porsche establish a reputation as a reliable performance vehicle maker after the 356 SLs won the 1951 Le Mans with style.
When did Porsche start producing the 944?
Porsche produced around 160,000 944s throughout the model’s nine-year manufacturing span from 1982 to 1991, so finding one isn’t that difficult. The 944 is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car from a company better known for the classic rear-engine 911 that is built on the current 924 platform.
Is a Porsche 944 considered vintage?
The Porsche 944 is a vehicle that, in terms of classic Porsches, was formerly regarded as a bit of a “underdog.” Over the past several years, it has had a significant recovery in popularity and is now one of the most sought-after vintage Porsches that is still available at an affordable price. Having said that, there are many things I’ve discovered about owning a 944 over the past few years that I wish I had known before making the purchase. In light of that, here are five things I wish I had known before purchasing a Porsche 944.
The price of a new Porsche 944.
Original MSRP for the Porsche 944 is $36,990 or $43,350 for the Turbo S. corresponding to $92,457 and $108,354 in 2021, respectively. Despite having a high base price, there were approximately 163,000 944s in use between 1982 and 1991. Despite a recent increase in price, the 944 is still well within many automobile aficionados’ price range. Customers may purchase a clean 944 for well under $15,000, and those looking for a project car can locate specimens for far under $5,000. Overall, the Porsche 944 is a flawless fusion of luxury and performance from the 1980s that still dazzles today. The 944 is gradually turning into a recognized classic since it is now accessible to enthusiasts at affordable costs.
Are Porsche 944 values rising?
The Porsche 944 is unquestionably a worthwhile purchase in 2021, with average costs between $9,000 and $24,000.
Almost usually, the 904, 906, 908, and 917 are the first models mentioned when discussing vintage Porsches. The 914 is one of the Porsches that receives the least attention, though. a partnership between Porsche and Volkswagen. While many people disregard the 914 because it is rather unusual, among Porsche enthusiasts it is regarded as the company’s first genuine entry-level model.
Volkswagen-Porsche decided to create a prototype to replace the 914, and after a string of unfortunate events, the Porsche 924 was born. The 944, a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive Porsche, is the result of further development of their mid-level model. The 944 Turbo, 944 Turbo S, 944 S, and 944 S2 were among the several variations of the 944 that followed the 968.
Prior to the Boxster and 911 Carrera, the 944 was Porsche’s most popular model, yet it didn’t earn a place in automotive history as a classic. Whatever your opinion, the 944 is every bit a Porsche, and having one would be something a petrolhead would look forward to, especially given how affordable they are.
The Porsche 944 is unquestionably a worthwhile purchase in 2021, with average costs between $9,000 and $24,000. Prices are beginning to increase quite quickly as demand for the mid-level Porsche grows.
A Porsche 944 is it quick?
In conjunction with Porsche, the US-Spec 944 turbocharged package was first made available in 1983 by American tuning business Callaway Cars. The basic 2.5 L inline-four engine’s 9.5:1 compression ratio and complicated Bosch Motronic engine management system made it susceptible to failure when subjected to forced induction, hence the engine was not appropriate for forced induction. By removing metal from the piston heads and chamber walls and increasing the volume of the engine’s combustion chambers, Callaway engineers were able to solve this issue. They also installed their own Microfueler unit and modified the Motronic system to ensure optimal fuel injection to the turbocharged engine. The complete engine had to be disassembled for this phase to work, which added significantly to the package’s cost. Although the compression ratio of the resulting engine was lower than that of the normal engine (8.0:1), linear power delivery was still guaranteed. Callaway installed a common internal waste gate and advised the use of 91-octane fuel to boost engine reliability in order to prevent any catastrophic engine failures. In addition, a new free flow exhaust system with a larger exhaust pipe was fitted, coupled with an IHI RHB6 turbocharger, on the right side of the engine for maximum performance. Because there was no turbo-lag, linear levels of boost were guaranteed. A boost control knob on the dashboard was optional, although the turbocharger produced 10 psi of boost. In comparison to the normal car’s 143 horsepower (107 kW) at 5,500 rpm, the modified engine produced 284 hp (212 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 312 Nm (230 lbft) at 4,000 rpm. With a 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 165 mph (266 km/h), performance surpassed that of the normal vehicle as well. According to Callaway, removing the rev limiter would result in even faster acceleration times. One of the rarest Porsche 944s ever made, only 20 vehicles were made.
Which engine powers the Porsche 944 from 1983?
Porsche’s rear-engine, air-cooled 911 was beginning to appear dated by the late 1970s. The Porsche 924 and 928 were introduced as a new line of front-engine, water-cooled vehicles to be sold concurrently as the answer at the time. With an in-house designed V-8 engine, the 928 served as the company’s premier grand tourer, while the 924 would take the position of the 914, which was getting on in years, as Porsche’s entry-level sports car. Sales were good, especially for the Porsche 924, but Porsche purists claimed that the 924’s four-cylinder engine, which was adapted from an Audi engine, lacked status and power. These criticisms mirrored those of the 914 powered by a Volkswagen that it replaced.
The 924 was transformed into the 944 for the 1983 model year as a remedy. With a new 2.5-liter, water-cooled, inline four-cylinder engine that was intended to approximate half of the 928’s V-8, the 944 would finally be a true Porsche. Porsche decided to license a balance shaft design from Mitsubishi to give the naturally harsher inline-four a smoother revving nature in order to help justify its premium price tag after initially considering a six-cylinder engine. A five-speed transaxle positioned at the rear provided great weight distribution. The early 944’s interior was very similar to the 924, but its box-flared external design mirrored that of the 924 Carrera GT road and race vehicles for a much more aggressive appearance more in line with Porsche’s brand identity.