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1963 - The Original
The initial lot of 911s were light, agile and pretty simple. A 130 bhp, air-cooled, 2.0-litre six-cylinder horizontally opposed engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, two really small rear seats, simple dials with the rev-counter in the centre and that was it.
1965-66 - 911 S and Targa
Deriving its name from the famous Targa Florio races, the 911 Targa featured a prominent aluminium roll bar with the option of rolling down the rear windows to create a shape that exists to this day. In 1966, the 911 got its first serious bump in power with the S: 30 additional horses, those famous Fuchs wheels and skinny tyres. The legend of the 911 was thus born.
1973-74 - RS & RSR
The 2.7 RS propelled the 911 into the world of motorsport. About 150 kg lighter than the S, the RS's true weight was 980 kg and the big bore 2.7 now produced 210 bhp. In 1974, Porsche produced the RSR, which boasted of 20 bhp more but was nearly 200 kg heavier than the RS.
1975 - 930 Turbo
The Turbo was, at least until the arrival of other models decades later, the most powerful 911 anyone could buy and the most luxurious too, with premium fittings and what have you. The designation 930 was believed to have been derived from its 3.0-litre motor that produced 260 bhp. It would be built for the next 14 years, with turbo lag as its best friend.
1978 - 928
Originally designed to replace the 911, the 928 was mid-engined, more comfortable and far less intimidating than the 911. Fortunately, two men, Dr Helmuth Bott, a board member and Peter Schutz, the then CEO, saved the 911, when realisation dawned that it still had very strong demand. The 928 would go on until 1995, never replacing the 911, and never getting a replacement itself!
1984 - 930 SC Dakar
Porsche saw potential with four-wheel drive, especially in non-circuit motorsport. It tried out its luck with the Porsche 953, essentially a 911 SC with four-wheel drive. Producing 300 bhp and with a manual four-wheel drive box, the 953 went on to win the 1984 Dakar. What followed was the revered 959.
1989 - 964 Carrera 4
Called the Carrera 4, the first four-wheel drive 911 was widely regarded as the 'poor man's 959'. The 250 bhp Carrera 4 was 85 per cent new over the previous car, with new brakes, aerodynamics, suspension and transmission. It even came with a tiptronic gearbox for the first time on the 911.
1992 - 964 RS
Just 10 bhp up on the regular fare, the Carrera RS was a good 200-plus kg down on the Carrera 4 version. That meant it was fast, in the same way the '73 RS was. Lighter doors, Recaro seats, seam welds for the body and a lower stance meant it was favoured by many an enthusiast.
1995 - 993 Turbo
Why another Turbo on the list? Well, it got twin turbocharging, got 400 bhp, looked elegant and most of all was the last of the air-cooled Turbos. Its trade values have shot through the roof in the last few years.
1999 - 996 GT3
One of the best 911s ever made, the 911 GT3 featured a 911 GT1 motor instead of the water-cooled unit that was found on other 996s. Lightweight windows, no rear seats, roll cage; the package sounded just perfect.
2004 - 996 Turbo S
While the 996 Turbo was special, the Turbo S was an extra special car. Gently massaging the motor resulted in an additional 30 horsepower and a touch more torque. What made the car truly special was its breathtaking acceleration and its brilliant chassis communication.
2006 - 997 Turbo
Producing 480 bhp initially from its 996-derived 3.6-litre motor, the 997 Turbo was offered with a tiptronic gearbox and could accelerate from rest to 100 kph in a scant 3.4 seconds. It was also the first time that the 911 Turbo could hit the elusive 200 mph (320 kmph) mark.
2010 - 997 GT2 RS
Codenamed 727, the GT2 RS was an internal project designed to beat the Nissan GT-R's 7:27 time around the Nurburgring. The recipe for every GT2 was always the same; a lighter, rear-wheel driven Turbo. This one made an astounding 612 bhp from its 3.6-litre motor. Not surprisingly, it went on to beat the GT-R's time by nine seconds!
2011 - 997 GT3 RS 4.0
The GT3 RS 4.0 was and is considered another landmark 911. The 4-litre engine produced 495 bhp, but it was the fine chassis balance and the beautiful steering response that has made it a legend. Just 600 were ever built.
