Vintage 1968
AUGUST 1967 :

Market lauch as an option of the Sportomatic type 905 4-speed gearbox, available on all models except 912. This is a semi-automatic four-speed gearbox, controlled by means of a conventional gear lever, but without a clutch pedal.
Launch of the 911 T for "Touring" with 110 hp. Cast iron cylinders, Weber 40IDT carburettor, 4-speed manual gearbox (5-speed optional), absence of anti-roll bars, non-ventilated brake discs, except in the case of Sportomatic gearbox, because the brakes are more stressed. Its equipment corresponded to that of the four-cylinder 912 model. It is not marketed in the United States.
Launch of the 911 L for "Luxe" with 130 hp (replaces the 911), Weber 40IDA carburettor, front and rear ventilated brake discs and 5-speed gearbox. The 911L will only be produced during the 1968 vintage.
Porsche 912 Targa Soft Window - Spark S4924
SEPTEMBER 1967 :

Launch of the production 911R ("R" for Racing) with 2.0 liters of displacement, developing a power of 210 hp at 8000 rpm.


The production of the series 911R began after some good results from the prototypes in competition (see awards below).

911Rs are manufactured by coachbuilder Baur in Stuttgart. There were 4 prototypes and according to Porsche 19 production copies, five of which remained the property of the factory to compete in different events. A controversy exists as to the number of copies, because according to certain works, there would have been 20 sequences of chassis numbers from 11899001 to 11899020 for mass production. According to Jürgen Barth, chassis no. 16 was equipped with a standard 911S engine and would therefore not be a real 911R… To be continued !

t would take too long to list the full track record of the 911R, however, let's remember some bright facts :
- July 1967, first official race at Mugello, World Endurance Championship: 3rd place for Elford and Van Lennep.
- August 1967, equipped with a Sportomatic gearbox, at the Marathon de la Route, an 84-hour race at the Nürburgring: 1st place for Herrmann-Elford and Neerpasch.
- Also in 1967, Vic Elford won the Coupe des Alpes.
- October 1967, in Monza, 5 world records and more than ten international records fell during a 96-hour marathon. The pilots were Siffert, Spoerry, Steinemann and Vogële.
- In 1969, Gérard Larrousse won the Snow and Ice, the Tour de France and the Tour de Corse, with the production 911R, chassis 005.


The 911R was born from Porsche's desire to build a very sporty version of the 911, in order to glean results in competition and boost sales. Of course, many 911s were entered in competition, most by private crews, but Porsche wants a 911 that is sharp and capable of winning in all forms of discipline. It is under the direction of Ferdinand Piëch that the 911R will see the light of day.

The 911R was designed from a 911S and lightened by 230 kg (800 kg in total). The engine comes from the 906, which itself was designed based on the 911S engine. It develops 210 hp at 8000 rpm, the maximum being 8200 rpm. Some 911Rs, mainly from the factory, were equipped with experimental 916-type engines developing 230 hp.

The 911R are fitted with the 901 five-speed manual gearbox (1st bottom left). The windscreen is made of thinned glass (4 mm), while the other windows are made of plexiglass (2 mm). The doors, hoods, front wings and bumpers are in polyester and the hinges in aluminium.

Given its high price (45,000 Marks, double that of a 911S) and the difficulties in approving it in the various international championships, the 911R will only be produced in very few copies and is today a very rare collectible car.
Prototype Porsche 911 R n°4 - Kyosho S001004
Product range overview for the 1968 vintage (08/1967 -> 07/1968)
(Serie A)
Exterior details :
- Domed headlight glass, without upper rim with two adjustment screws, except 911S.
- Black left-facing wipers when stationary.
- The bumpers and overriders are identical to those of the 1967 vintage.
- The window frames are no longer chromed, but in shiny anodized aluminium.
- Chrome exterior mirrors, round, still Durant branded, but a bit larger in diameter with a wider rim than before.
In Germany and the United States, the surface being considered too small, they will be replaced during the vintage by a rectangular model similar to that which will subsequently equip the 911 of 1972 and 1973.


- During the vintage, the rear bonnet grille will be modified. The bonnet's central reinforcement bar disappears and the grille only has 3 vertical bars.


- The inscriptions on the rear cover are always in gold letters (except 911 T and 912 where gold is optional). The word "PORSCHE" is written using separate letters as in the previous vintage.
- The inscription "Sportomatic" is placed under the logo of the model.
- In the USA, front and rear side reflectors (only for the 1968 vintage), and sealed beam headlights (the bulb and the headlight form an integral unit), are compulsory.
- Door handles again modified, they are triangular in shape with push button protected in a hollow formed by two fins.
Interior details :
- The dashboard is in brushed aluminum or braided-look vinyl, or even cracked-look vinyl (quite rare).
- The buttons on the dashboard are now covered with rubber.
- The lettering of the instrumentation changes from green to white and the counters are circled black instead of chrome.
- The rim of the steering wheel is covered in leather (wood is always possible as an option).
- The interior trim of the doors is specific for the 1968 vintage with a rigid pocket located under the armrest (previously the pocket was flexible and occupied the entire width of the door). There is a grab handle on the passenger side.


- New model for the side window control cranks which are plastic coated with a button in soft material.
- Modification of the attachment to the roof of the interior mirror which detaches in the event of an impact. It is no longer chrome, but black.
Targa :
- During the vintage, the Targa can be fitted with a rigid rear window as an option.
912 Coupé and Targa 1.6 L 90 HP 13,5 s 185 Km/h


- The "PORSCHE" signature and the "912" emblem on the rear bonnet are silver (gold as an option).
911 T Coupé and Targa 2.0 L 110 HP 10,0 s 200 Km/h


- "PORSCHE" signature and "911 T" emblem in silver color (gold as an option).
- The chrome sill strips do not cover the torsion bar access cover. - 4.5Jx15 steel rims with 165HR15 tires (Fuchs rims optional).
911 L Coupé and Targa 2.0 L 130 HP 9,0 s 215 Km/h


- The chrome sill strips do not cover the torsion bar access cover.
- 5.5Jx15 steel rims with 165VR15 tires (Fuchs rims optional).
911 USA Coupé and Targa 2.0 L 130 HP 9,0 s 215 Km/h


- "S-trim" underbody protection identical to the European 911 S.
- Matches the look and finish of the European 911 L.
911 L USA Coupé and Targa 2.0 L 130 HP 9,0 s 215 Km/h


- "S-trim" underbody protection identical to the European 911 S.
- Matches the look and finish of the European 911 S except for the engine.
911 S Coupé and Targa 2.0 L 160 HP 7,6 s 225 Km/h


- The 911S is still not marketed in the USA.
- H1 type headlights with a transparent upper edge and 4 adjustment screws.
- The 911 S are equipped with larger underbody protections, called "S-trim". They cover the entire underbody and partially the torsion bar access cover.


- Standard forged alloy Fuchs wheels (black and chrome instead of metal colour) 5.5Jx15 with 165VR15 tyres.


911 R Coupé 2.0 L 210 HP 6,1 s 245 Km/h
Exterior details :
- H1 type headlights with a transparent upper edge and 4 adjustment screws.
- Simple air inlets instead of horn grilles. Ditto for the location of the fog lights.
- Minimalist turn signals and front lights, while the rear lights are replaced by four small round elements and a tiny reflector on the bumper.


- Oil tank cap on the right rear wing.
- The rear quarter windows are fitted with ventilation slots.


- It is possible to have the fuel tank filling in the middle of the hood, for faster filling.
- The engine cover grille is replaced by a simple black mesh.
- The rear fenders are widened to accommodate wider rims.
- Two exhaust outlets each arranged practically under each bumper.
- Two rubber safety clips secure the rear cover.
- Simple black decals for the "PORSCHE" and "911R" logos on the rear bonnet.
- "PORSCHE" signature in black on the sides.
- Fuchs forged alloy wheels, 6Jx15'' front and 7Jx15'' rear with 185HR15 tyres.
Interior details :
- Monza sport steering wheel.



- Simplified instrumentation, the watch disappears and often also the oil level dial.
- Inside, everything superfluous has been removed: the watch, the ashtray, the passenger sun visor...
- Bucket seat and removal of rear seats.
- Door interiors emptied.
- Strap to open the window.
- Zipper to open the door.
- Simplified instrumentation, the watch (on the right) disappears and often also the oil level dial (on the left).
Exterior color chart of the 1968 vintage


Interior color chart of the 1968 vintage


Christian G.
Any reproduction, even partial, is strictly prohibited without the authorization of the author