Porsche 911SC 3.0 930/04 Coupe
|
Car producer : |
Porsche |
|---|---|
|
Model: |
911SC 3.0 930/04 Coupe |
|
Year: |
1978-1979 |
|
Type: |
Coupe |
Porsche made its first and most significant changes to the 930 for 1978 model year, enlarging the engine bore by 2 mm (0.08 in) to a total displacement of 3,299 cc (3.3 L; 201.3 cu in) and adding an air-to-air intercooler. By cooling the pressurized air charge, the intercooler helped increase power output to 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) at 5,500 rpm and 412 N⋅m (304 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm (DIN); the rear 'whale tail' spoiler was re-profiled and raised slightly to make room for the intercooler and the spoiler was now infamously called the 'tea tray' spoiler by the enthusiasts. The suspension benefitted from new anti-roll bars, firmer shock absorbers and larger diameter rear torsion bars. Porsche also upgraded the brakes to units similar to those used on the 917 race car. While the increase in displacement and addition of an intercooler increased power output and torque, these changes also increased the weight of the vehicle, especially the engine, which contributed to a substantial change in the handling and character of the car compared to the earlier 3.0-litre models.
Changing emissions regulations in Japan and the United States forced Porsche to withdraw the 930 from those markets in 1980. It however remained available in Canada. Envisioning the luxurious 928 gran turismo eventually replacing the 911 as the top of the Porsche model lineup, Fuhrmann cut back further development on the model, and it was not until his resignation that the company finally committed the financing to reregulate the car.
The 930 remained available in Europe, and for 1983 a 330 PS (243 kW; 325 hp) at 5750 rpm and 432 N⋅m (319 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm of torque performance option became available on a build-to-order basis from Porsche. With the add-on came a quad-pipe exhaust system and an additional oil-cooler requiring a remodeled front spoiler and units bearing the add-on often featured additional ventilation holes in the rear fenders and modified rockers.
By the 1985 model year, 928 sales had risen slightly, but the question remained as to whether it would supersede the 911 as the company's premier model. Porsche reintroduced the 930 to the Japanese and U.S. markets in 1986 with an emission-controlled engine having a power output of 282 hp (210 kW; 286 PS) at 5500 rpm and 377 N⋅m (278 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm of torque. At the same time Porsche introduced targa and cabriolet variants, both of which proved popular.
Porsche discontinued the 930 after the 1989 model year when its underlying "G-Series" platform was being replaced by the 964. In that year, Porsche introduced the 930 Speedster, a variant featuring body style akin to the 356 Speedster, the Speedster featured a humped rear end with a "double bubble" roof storage compartment and a short, raked windshield along with a manually operated soft top. Only a handful of examples were produced making it one of the most rare 930 variants alongside the slantnose. The 1989 models were the first and last versions of the 930 to feature the Getrag G50 five-speed manual transmission. A turbocharged variant of the 964 officially succeeded the 930 in 1991 with a modified version of the same 3.3 litre flat-six engine and a five-speed transmission.
Also produced for the 1976 "model year", for the U.S. market, was the 912E, a 4-cylinder version of the 911 like the 912 that had last been produced in 1969. It used the I-series chassis and the 2.0 Volkswagen engine from the Porsche 914. In all, 2099 units were produced. In 1976 the Porsche 924 took this car's place for the 1977 "model year" and beyond. The power was supplied by a 4-cylinder high-performance fuel injection motor also used in the 411 Volkswagen. Less than 6000 were built.
Ever since the dawn of the motoring age, police forces the world over have used high-performance vehicles in pursuit of criminals, often equipping them with larger or more powerful engines while retaining a standard external appearance. The very special Porsche 911 Targa is a fine example of a 'stealth' police car, only 20 ordered by the Belgian Gendarmerie/Rijkswacht and fitted from new by the factory with the 210bhp Carrera RS engine. Of course, the Gendarmerie could just as easily have ordered 20 examples of the Carrera RS, but they did not want anyone to know the cars' true potential, hence the decision to order a 'hot' version of the regular 911 Targa. Lacking the RS's characteristic 'duck tail' spoiler, these cars retained the stock model's silhouette, making them ideally suited for their intended role. Even the Targa top option had a practical purpose, as it enabled the non-driving officer to stand up and direct traffic more effectively. The cars were supplied via Établissements d'Ieteren.
