HISTORY OF THE PORSCHE 968

The Porsche 968 has stood the test of time still offering stunning looks and performance.

Evolution
In 1976 the Porsche 924 model was launched. It went on to be a phenomenal sales success, with around 150,000 examples produced. By 1981 the coupé had been transformed into the far better Porsche 944. The 944 evolved gradually over the years and finally in 1991, after a great leap of evolution, became the 968.

Porsche was keen to stress that 80 percent of the 968 was new compared with the outgoing 944. In fact, the changes were much more than skin deep.

Engine
Under the hood is the powerful 3-litre 16-valve engine which produces 240 hp at 4100 rpm and is one of the most powerful normally aspirated production engines in the world. It can take the car to 62.5 mph (100km/h) in 6.5 seconds and perhaps more importantly, gives 200 Nm of toque at 1000 rpm, up to a maximum of 305 Nm at 4100 rpm.

Variocam
Such a high torque capacity is in part down to a unique feature - Porsche's Variocam, an electronically controlled camshaft timing system which increases the engine output and the torque by varying the timing of the inlet camshaft in relation to the exhaust camshaft to increase the overlap. This is indeed an engine that can be revved freely, and yet remain smooth and progressive right to the red line (when the governor cuts in).

Transmission
There are two choices of transmission available with the 968. The 6-speed manual and the Tiptronic automatic. The 968 Cabriolet Sport featured on this page has the 6-speed manual.

The 6-speed manual gearbox was designed with both performance and economy in mind. When the car reaches 62.5 mph in 6.5 seconds it is still in second gear! Fully loaded, gear changes will normally take place at more than 6000 rpm, the maximum rev limit being 6700 rpm.

Gears one to five have very close ratios and are the major players on public roads. Number six gives relaxed and economical long-distance cruising, with the engine turning at just over 4000 rpm when the car's traveling at 100 mph, and enables the car to reach its maximum speed.

But what does amaze and delight is the degree of low-end torque. Sixth gear is quite usable at 70 mph, at which speed other models are simply ticking over. This is a car that wants to be driven well.

Brakes Body and Safety
ABS brakes may be available on any number of cars these days, but Porsche was the first to make them standard across their whole range.

The 968 braking system is servo-assisted with four-piston fixed light alloy calipers and huge internally ventilated discs. There are no problems stopping the 968 in its tracks.

Add to that improved crumple zones incorporated into the bodywork, side intrusion bars, crush tubes and a roll-cage developed out of the roof, door frames and windscreen pillars; and what you have is an incredibly safe ride. The 968 Cabriolet Sport featured on this page also has driver and passenger side airbags.

The 968 Cabriolets, as featured on this page, are surely one of the best-looking Porsches ever produced and the most desirable of the 968 range.

The Sport Version
The 968 Sport, as featured on this page, was the result of combining the sporting benefits of the Club Sport with the luxuries of the standard 968. This created arguably the best 968 ever - the Sport, which first appeared in January 1994.

The 968 Sport retained the lowered and uprated suspension of its brother the Club Sport, as well as most of the luxuries found in the standard 968. It was priced lower, which so undercut the standard car it became the UK's best-selling 968.

Last and Best
The 968 was first presented during the summer of 1991, and was in production at Zuffenhausen Germany by the autumn. Production quietly halted in 1995 to make way for the all-new Boxster. Exactly 2,776 cars were sold worldwide in the three years it was available.

The 968's lines have stood the test of time and still look absolutely stunning. Today the 968 offers modern looks and performance. One drive and your memory will long retain the sensations you absorb at the wheel. That makes the 968 rare, even among memorable competitors. There's no doubt the 968 - in all its guises - was, and still is, by far the best of the variations on the 924 theme.

Porsche 968 Cabriolet Sport
The preceding list details the many unique features this car has. Please note that this car has the original factory sport package. The sport package was only available to the UK market, which makes this car even rarer here in the United States.

This car was seen around town in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte, NC and was in immaculate condition. The car was stored out of the sun, rain, and snow and used only on weekends for short cruises around town.

If you would like more information about this car or if you would like to see more pictures, please send us an email using the link at the bottom of this page and we will promptly respond.