1966 Porsche 911 S
If there is one primordial 911, then this. Firstly, because it was the fastest at that time, but also because it managed with the fewest of all thinkable resources for normal traffic. All later vehicles of this genre seem
overdressed in contrast. Where there was already such a fast car with no power steering and no power-assisted braking? As the only perhaps a little decadent assembly group one might mention the petrol-electric
auxiliary heater.
This was pure driving experience. There were required still real pedal pressures. It surprised already that after all, the full braking was possible with reasonably bearable foot pressure. The steering let you feel the road.
Clear that in the absence of technical assistance, one could not choose a too small diameter. Nevertheless, it was still sufficiently directly with less than 3 rotations from stop to stop.
No, the chassis was precisely not really hard as the type designation suggests. It was still fairly comfortable. Transverse joints were better accepted than at today's vehicles. And then the narrow tyres, provoking disbelief
even with benevolent testers. But at least you drove therewith relatively fast around the corners. Of course, you had to be more careful when wet, but would it have been better with wider tyres?
Sure, the limits for the oversteer were far away. But they should be explored by tenderfoots with some caution, because it was difficult to realise skilful and elegant counter-steering in fast corners and first of all without any
damage of the car. On the highway, the car was made for speeding, except for crosswinds. This was guaranteed not only by the acceleration, but also by the elasticity of the engine. And in case of doubt were available up to
140 km/h three and up to 180 km/h two gears.
Even the wind noises remained relatively restrained. The seats were excellent and could be left without sweaty backs, especially in the famous plaid fabric combination (video). That's not surprising because they were
manufactured at the same company Reutter (Recaro), whose production of Porsche car bodies has taken over by Porsche itself in 1963. The windshield wipers are even to operate in three steps via levers on the steering
wheel.
Really a car without fault or dispraise? Well, of course, due to the often still missing air conditioning at the time, could have paid more attention to the summer ventilation. And unfortunately, in spite of the very low kerb
weight, the consumption was not less than with to-day's 911 models, more than twice as powerful and much heavier. But even worse was the lack of rust prevention in face of the purchase price. Under unfavourable
circumstances, for example, in winter sports areas, the rear axle was said to become 'self-reliant' after only two years.
That the incidents did not stay without a trace at the manufacturer shows this single copy of a Porsche 911S from the year 1967. It is made entirely of stainless steel, a material that also is used for kitchen facilities, e.g. It is
cold-rolled and formed by machine or by hand, unpainted and only ground and brushed. The car weighs not more than the production model and should have driven 150,000 km without any problems in 7 years.
However, not only at Porsche, the bodies were protected then by hot dip galvanizing a little later. From the material presented here, one produces garnish mouldings and window frames, further silencer and catalysts
nowadays.
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