Forgotten Ones
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If you love history and you love Porsche then this article is for you. Today we are going to flashback and take a look at some Porsche projects that, for one reason or another, did not come to fruition or simply remained in obscurity. These models are probably ones that you have never heard of before so buckle up and get ready to dive into the history behind the Porsche cars that never really made it.
The Porsche 911 B17 Pininfarina (1969):
This model stretched the stock floor pan nearly eight inches. Porsche essentially decided to fit their 911 with a full-size rear seat. In order for rear passengers of average height to fit in the back, the roof line was radically altered, giving the car a hunched back look. This model was supposed to be a 2+2 coupe with a hunched back. This idea did not find success as management hated the new look. Because of this decision, unfortunately, this model lives only in Porsche automotive archives.
The Porsche 989 (1988):
This model was supposed to be the “Porsche for four” while resembling the iconic 911. The engine was supposed to be a 3.6-liter unit with around 300hp, but eventually, Porsche went with a 4.2-liter V-8 with 350hp. This model’s production depended on the success of the 928, the sales figures of which started to decline rapidly at this point. This led to the development of the 989 being halted in late 1991. Today, you can find the 989 displayed in Petersen Auto Museum in Los Angeles.
The Porsche 965 (1980s):
This model had a lot of promise. This model was developed alongside the cheaper 964 and was supposed to sit above it, but below the flagship 959. The 965 received the 964 Turbo’s 3.6-liter turbocharged flat-six, which developed 360hp at 5,500rpm and 384 pound-feet at 4,200rpm, and was mated to a five-speed manual. However, Porsche could not make the 965 affordable enough, without compromising on the quality, which led to the entire project being cancelled.
Although Porsche is known as one of the best manufacturers in the market, it was not always smooth sailing for this historic car brand. Nevertheless, it is still always fun to take a look back at what could have been. Hope you enjoyed!
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