901, 901deLuxe, 901S

[911T1971]

As its commonly known, Porsche presented its 901 car on sept 1963 in Frankfurt.

Around August 25th, 1964, the factory officially declared conceptional work on 901 prototypes was about to be finished. First 901 cars got produced on Sept.14th (300007), first 911 cars got produced on Nov.10th 1964 (049), 14 months after the inital 901 presentation. 82 cars got the internal 901 designation, the chassis did not got produced in chronological orders. (074 and 079 on Nov.5th while 049 only later, on Nov.10th)

For the records:
According to an internal factory paper (Hausmitteilung/Rundschreiben) of December 1963, the factory planned to launch three models:

* 901, 4cyl, base model, interior/seats equipment in vinyl, wood steering wheel, 17500DM.
This 901 model was planned to receive a shortened 4cyl 1.4l engine version of the new 901 6cyl 2.0l engine.
Conception was on its way but was later abandoned, due also to high manufacturing costs, compare to the 6cyl engine version. (2035DM vs 2702DM). Tests to push this engine from 1.4l to 1.6l also took place.
Porsche switched back to the old 356SC 4cyl engine which costs only 1800DM to manufacture and renamed the Project to 902/912.

* 901deLuxe, 6cyl, luxury model, interior in all leather, leather steering wheel, 130hp/PS, 22400DM
read also here:
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ghlight=deluxe

* 901S, 6cyl, super model, 150hp/PS, 23900DM
The sale price of this version was similar to the version shown in Frankfurt 1963, two months earlier.
Porsche gave initially 130hp/PS as a power reference for the show model.
In 1965, 901 prototype No.4 (chassis 13323, built 1963) got a replacement/experimental engine with 170hp at 2.2l capacity, most likely the first 901/911S version.

Source: Lewandowski, 901

[edmayo]

Great, interesting, somewhat new information!!! thanks

[Cliff]

In regard to the link above, I own #304863 and do believe it to be a special spec.car for an intended driver, for what reason, I do not know. It was painted in a very nice 356 B color of silver metallic #6206 and has the raised seat position. These two items, especially the raised seat feature are definitely there for for someone in mind..I think it was for Richard Von Frankenberg,{my first guess} or Dennis Jenkinson, to show to potential customers. Considering the color scheme of silver exterior and brown interior, it was definitely a beauty.....Cliff

[VintageExcellen]

Just think, back in 1980 you could have bought one of the prototypes, advertised for sale out of Hemming's Magazine in the US for $20k. It took a little while to sell at that high price, wonder what it would bring at auction today?


4cylinder 911. There was an official factory plan to create the 4cyl 911 engine but it was never completed. The only one crazy enough to continue the development of that shortened 4cyl version of the 901 engine is my good friend Dean Polopolus. You can get one of his engines turn key today with 2.6L and 200hp and 100lbs less weight.

[gulf908]

Karim,

A little bit off topic,but has there ever been anything similar been revealed about the 914/6 future plans ?
... just curious ...
Its not much wonder Porsche couldn't afford to develop the 4 cylinder 901 motor.
Two years ago they bought Reutter,had just finished a resource draining foray into F1 with little to show and the T8 prototype(6 cyl) still on the drawing boards and running behind schedule no doubt !

Cheers,
Dennis.

[911T1971]

Dennis.

Ludvigsen talks detailed about the Reutter sale. Porsche bought it because the 2nd Reutter generation was not willing to re-invest in the company, they did keep however the seat dept. (Recaro), though. Around the same time Porsche also invested millions in their own factory equip. as well as bought, in 1960/61, land for the future Weissach development&test circuit centre.

As for 914/6, I recall reading the 914/6 retail price was close to similar engine-equipped 911T, which considerably limited its potential sales market, at least in the RoW area.

Also, in 1970 the 928 was already on the drawing board, the future 924 started about a year later. It was later abandoned as a concept by VW-Porsche, so Porsche bought it itself.
As for the 928 (its development started before the 924), it was ultimately marketed after the 924. Sounds all very chaotic and not very linear..