Guide: Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera — Supercar Nostalgia

Dec 1

Dec 1 Guide: Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera

Porsche - Porsche 911 - 911s of the 1980s - 1980s Supercars - 1980s German Cars - 911 G Body

Background

When the SC was introduced in September 1977, Porsche expected it to be the final iteration of the much-loved 911. In the 911’s place, Porsche would offer the 928, a front-engined Grand Tourer powered by a conventional water-cooled V8.

Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1977, the 928 was hailed as the best GT of its era. It even won the European Car of the Year award in 1978. However, the expensive new model failed to capture the public’s imagination and, for every 928 sold, Porsche shifted 20 times as many 911s.

By 1980, it was clear that rear-engined cars like the 911 would not be outlawed on safety grounds which had long been a worry for Porsche management.

With the turbocharged 930 having become a permanent fixture in the model line up, Porsche also now offered a 911-based range topper with supercar-rivalling performance. As even the 930 routinely outsold the 928, any talk of scrapping the 911 suddenly seemed foolhardy.

The SC had been launched with a three-litre 180bhp engine that was quickly uprated to 188bhp once Porsche realised the 911 would be sticking around for the long haul. A 204bhp version followed in August 1980.

For the 1984 model year E-series 911 (production of which started in September 1983) Porsche introduced a further uprated model: the 911 Carrera.

With a new 231bhp 3.2-litre power unit that used the latest Bosch Motoronic digital engine management, the Carrera addressed those calls for more oomph and became the most commercially successful 911 yet.

Aside from its new engine, most of the major components were imported from the SC.

A more significant revamp of the 911 would have to wait a few more years as, under the management of Peter Schutz (who had taken over from Ernst Fuhrmann in 1980), most of Porsche’s profit was being re-invested into upgrading the firm’s manufacturing facilities. There were also the expensive Group B and Group C motor sport programmes guzzling cash in the background.

The 3.2-litre 911 Carrera was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1983.

Once again, this latest variant could be ordered in Coupe, Targa or Cabriolet body styles. It was produced alongside the 924, 944 and 928 plus of course, the turbocharged 930.

Thanks to its powerful and torquey 3.2-litre engine, the 911 Carrera could outperform any vehicle in its class. It was also blessed with outstanding build quality, bullet-proof reliability and was in a league of its own when it came to real world practicality.

Chassis

Aside from the new engine, other changes included thicker brake discs with larger calipers, a bigger brake servo and a brake pressure limiter to prevent the wheels inadvertently locking.

Porsche fitted new 15-inch diameter 928-style teledial cast alloy wheels as standard. They measured 6-inches wide at the front, 7-inches wide at the back and were normally shod with Dunlop tyres.

Handsome Fuchs forged alloy rims available via the options list were an inch wider.

The galvanised steel unibody shell was unchanged.

Suspension was fully independent with torsion bars and telescopic shocks plus an anti-roll bar at either end. The front used a compact MacPherson strut arrangement with a single lower wishbone. At the rear, semi-trailing arms were installed.

Ventilated disc brakes were fitted all round (286mm diameter front and 294mm rear).

An 80-litre fuel tank was located underneath the front lid.

Engine & Gearbox

Although Porsche had tested normally aspirated engines of 3.3 and 3.5-litres, they conservatively opted for a 3.2-litre configuration for this latest 911.

An all-alloy, air-cooled Flat 6 with single overhead camshafts, two valves per cylinder and dry-sump lubrication, it retained the 95mm bore dimensions of the outgoing SC engine combined with the 74.4mm stroke from the turbocharged 930.

The SC’s Nikasil cylinder barrels were imported along with the longer throw crankshaft of the 930. Displacement was 3164cc.

The new Type 930/20 engine came with high crown pistons, uprated cam timing, larger inlet and exhaust ports and improved heat exchangers. The cylinder head gaskets were deleted.

Other new equipment included Bosch Motronic 2 engine management and Bosch LE-Jetronic fuel-injection (which resulted in 10% better fuel efficiency).

The compression ratio was increased from 9.8:1 to 10.3:1.

All told, the Type 930/20 engine was 11kg heavier than the SC unit (201kg compared to 190kg). However, this was more than adequately offset by the improved output figures.

The power rating was now 231bhp at 5900rpm (compared to 204bhp at 5900rpm). Peak torque was 210lb-ft at 4800rpm (compared to 197lb-ft at 4300rpm).

Porsche retained the existing Type 915 five-speed gearbox but did fit longer ratios on fourth and fifth.

Bodywork

Externally, the 911 3.2 Carrera was little changed.

A subtly redesigned front apron housed integral fog lights, a Carrera script was added on the engine cover and there was a revised air deflector for the sunroof.

Otherwise, this latest model was broadly the same as its predecessor and retained the trademark 911 shape that was recognised the world over.

As it headed towards its 20th anniversary, the 911 had firmly become established as an automotive design icon.

Interior

The cockpit now came with the centre console and heater controls from the 930.

The dash, seats and door panels were all the same as on the SC.

A three-spoke steering wheel fronted an oval five-gauge instrument binnacle that would have been familiar to anyone that had ever driven a 911. Housed in the centre was a 7000rpm tachometer. To the left were combined instruments for oil pressure / oil temperature and fuel / oil level. To the right was a speedometer and a clock.

Various toggle switches were scattered along the rest of the dash, as were the ventilation controls.

Standard equipment included high-backed half leather seats and electric windows.

Options

Porsche offered an extensive list of optional extras to include air conditioning, Fuchs alloy wheels (with black or body coloured centres), full leather or full fabric upholstery, central locking, an electric sunroof, various audio options and 930-style stone guard decals.

There was also the sought after Sport package that included shorter and stiffer Bilstein shocks, front and rear spoilers and Fuchs alloy wheels. All of the Sport equipment could be specified individually as well.

Further customisation could be carried out at Porsche’s special wish department (Sonderwunsch). Here, some cars were equipped with Turbo-style and Flat Nose bodywork plus super high end interiors.

Weight / Performance

Porsche officially quoted the 3.2-litre Carrera at 1160kg. The Targa and Cabriolet were 1210kg.

Top speed was 150mph and 0-62mph took 5.6 seconds.

USA / Canada / Japan Version

For markets like the USA, Canada and Japan, Porsche produced a special low emissions Type 930/21 engine. These power units came with a three-way catalytic converter, improved idle speed control and reconfigured Lambda sensor. The compression ratio was reduced from 10.3:1 to 9.5:1.

As a result, power dipped from 231bhp to 207bhp at an unchanged 5900rpm. Likewise, the torque rating was slightly inferior with 192lb-ft nstead of 210lb-ft at an unchanged 4800rpm.

US market cars came with full leather upholstery as standard.

1984 Model Year E-series Production

Production for the 1984 model year E-series 911 Carrera totalled 13,428 units split as follows: Coupe 6532, Targa 3793 and Cabriolet 3103.

1985 Model Year F-series

Porsche’s annual programme of improvements saw a number of upgrades introduced for the 1985 model year F-series 911. Production started a month late in October 1984 owing to a metal workers strike in Germany.

The radio antenna was now incorporated into the windscreen, heated windscreen washers were fitted, Boge instead of Bilstein dampers were used and a deeper front spoiler now housed a discrete oil cooling duct.

Inside, redesigned front seats came with electric fort / aft adjustment, a new leather steering wheel with four horizontal spokes replaced the original three-spoke item and the gear lever was shortened.

Heated front seats were added to the options list.

Production for the 1985 mode year F-series 911 Carrera totalled 11,859 units split as follows: Coupe 5710, Targa 3441 and Cabriolet 2708.

1986 Model Year G-series

The 1986 model year G-series 911 arrived in September 1985.

The shock absorbers, anti-roll bars and rear torsion bars were all new.

Inside, there was an improved heater with bigger dash-mounted vents and the front seats were lowered to offer more headroom. A digital self-seeking radio, central locking and sun visors with covered vanity mirrors were added to the list of standard equipment.

New options included sports seats and a short-shift gear lever.

The expensive M491 Turbo Equipment package was also launched. It comprised bodywork, spoilers, suspension, brakes and wheels from the turbocharged 930 but with the normally aspirated 3.2-litre running gear.

Swiss market 911s were fitted with a more effective silencer.

Production for the 1986 model year totalled 15,120 units split as follows: Coupe 6883, Targa 3813 and Cabriolet 4424.

1987 Model Year H-series

Undoubtedly the most significant change applied to the 1987 model year H-series 911 (introduced September 1986) was a new Getrag G50 gearbox with Borg Warner synchromesh.

A big improvement on the outgoing 915 unit, the G50 used a different layout; reverse was now to the left and away as opposed to on the right and back.

A larger clutch meant the rear semi-trailing arms had to be slightly repositioned which was done by using a new torsion bar tube with a profiled cast-iron centre section to clear the clutch housing.

The G50-equipped cars were easily identifiable by way of a reflective strip between the tail lights that now also housed the fog lights. Beforehand, the fog lights had been attached underneath the back bumper.

Other updates for the 1987 model year included an anti-corrosion warranty that was increased to ten years, a re-positioned wing mirror adjustment switch and new dash-mounted headlight beam adjustment.

The Cabriolet now came with a power-operated hood.

The Targa was fitted with the Cabriolet’s better weather seals and rain channels to reduce wind noise.

Cars destined for the USA, Canada, Japan and some other markets were given a more powerful Type 930/25 catalysed engine. It featured re-mapped Bosch Motronic and produced 217bhp at 5900rpm. The torque rating was also slightly improved (195lb-ft at 4800rpm).

Australian market cars were still fitted with the old 207bhp Type 930/21 unit.

Swiss cars were given an acoustic shield under the engine and an air-injection pump. These engines were designated Type 930/26.

A new Club Sport variant also joined the product line. This two-seat model (covered separately) was a pared down lightweight created for drivers that wanted the ultimate normally aspirated 911.

Production for the 1987 model year totalled 14,472 units split as follows: Coupe 6605, Targa 3665 and Cabriolet 4202.

1988 Model Year I-series

The 1988 model year I-series 911 Carrera arrived in September 1987.

Front and rear anti-roll bars were enlarged again and Fuchs wheels replaced the original teledials as standard issue.

Other equipment made standard included electrical height adjustment for the seats, a passenger door mirror, central locking and headlight washers.

New options arrived in the form of crushed leather, preparation for a mobile phone and an eight speaker stereo.

In August 1988, a 25th anniversary 911 was launched.

These Anniversary cars were painted Marine Blue Metallic and came with body coloured wheel centres, crushed blue leather upholstery, Ferry Porsche signatures on the headrests, the short-shift gear lever from the Club Sport and a numbered plaque on the glovebox. 875 were built.

Production for the 1988 model year totalled 12,641 units split as follows: Coupe 6076, Targa 2867 and Cabriolet 3698.

1989 Model Year J-series

The 1989 model year J-series was the last for the 3.2-litre 911 Carrera. Production began in September 1988.

The Fuchs wheels were switched to a 16-inch diameter and widened to 8-inches at the rear.

Thicker anti-roll bars were installed.

An improved alarm system was now linked to the central locking and flashing red diodes were housed in the tops of the door lock knobs.

A CD player was added to the options list.

However, the big news was the arrival of a new body style: the Speedster.

911 Speedster

Porsche had not offered a Speedster since 1959 when the 356 A was still in production. Since then, the Speedster had gone down in folklore as one of the most iconic models in Porsche’s history.

This latest Speedster was created to capitalise on the booming late 1980s market for collectable motor cars.

Based on the Cabriolet bodyshell, the Speedster was mechanically standard. It came with a cut-down, more steeply raked windscreen and a flimsy single-lined canvas hood described as for emergency use only.

The hood stowed underneath a humpbacked body coloured plastic moulding, the presence of which meant the rear seats had to be deleted. Seat rails were dropped by 20mm and frameless single piece side windows were fitted.

The Speedster was available in standard narrow-body format (171 built) and wide-bodied Turbo style (1933 built). They were manufactured between January and June of 1989.