The 924/944/968 series of Porsches were some of the most popular and most successful Porsches ever built. In the eighties, Porsche was in some financial trouble and it only took Four Cylinders and less than 250 horsepower to pull the company forward. So here are ten facts about this great series of cars.
- The early 2.0L 924 had a total production between 1976 and 1985 of over 132,000 cars, and only 32% of them came to North America. It remains popular in Europe and especially in the UK.
- The 924 was the first Porsche to have front engine/rear drive configuration, and the first Porsche to have an available automatic transmission.
- The 1980 924GTR race car developed 375 horsepower from its turbocharged two-liter engine with a top speed of 180 MPH. The three GTR’s entered at LeMans that year, taking 6th, 12th and 13th
- The 924S Special Edition was the line’s Clubsport. 980 were produced with 500 coming to North America.
- When introduced in the U.S. in 1983, there was an extensive waiting list for the new 944.
- The 944 prototype was introduced at LeMans in 1981 with the “new” 924GTP LeMans. It was raced with the new 2.5L 4 cylinder, DOHC cam layout and making 414 HP. It won its class and finished 7th It is now in the Porsche Museum.
- The 944 engine includes two balance shafts that were patented by Mitsubishi, licensed to Porsche.
- In 1986 Porsche introduced the 951 by installing a turbocharger and intercooler to the 944. The U.S. version developed 217 horsepower. Production of the 951 continued with improvements each year through 1991, although only 100 were imported in 1990 and none came to the U.S. in 1991.
- The 944 was one of the most prolific Porsche models with 163,000 produced between 1982 and 1991.
- The 968 was supposed to be the 944S3, but there were so many changes from the 944S2 that the decision was made to give it a new designation, the 968. Almost 13,000 were produced between 1992 and 1995.
So Now You Know!
