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1967 Porsche 911S versus Porsche 991 Carrera S

Carving through the canyon-like coastal roads around East Sussex’s Seven Sisters, I can’t help but fixate on the car looming in my auto-dimming interior mirror.

Blasting along one of the best roads I have ever found for a Total 911 photoshoot at the wheel of the latest 400bhp 991 Carrera S should be task enough for my attention, but behind me is an original 2.0-litre Porsche 911S, the sun glinting off its gorgeously pronounced front wings and original Fuchs wheels.

47 years the senior of my own 911, this Zuffenhausen icon sits just 47 feet of tarmac behind my rear bumper, and soon it will be my turn behind the wheel of my 911 hero.

1967 Porsche 911S

As modern 911s go, the 991 Carrera S is one of the most accomplished ever. While the GT3 and Turbo variants are in another world when it comes to outright speed, the Carrera S still enjoys a devastating turn of pace, especially in the ‘real’ world when weaving your way through country lanes and back roads.

Although the standard 991 Carrera can sometimes feel lethargic, especially at the lower reaches of the rev range, the Carrera S is possibly the best day-to-day 911 ever produced. However, it owes a large part of its character to the Ivory White car chasing me through the Beachy Head hairpins.

After the original 901’s release in September 1963 (the first 82 cars passing off the production line before the 911 moniker was adopted), the 911S marked Porsche’s first performance-orientated 911.

Porsche 991 Carrera S

Going on sale in late 1966, the S featured the same 1,991cc engine as the base car. However, reworked valving (the work of engineer Paul Hensler), along with a higher compression ratio, significantly boosted the car’s power output.

While early cars utilised Solex carburettors, by the time of the 911S Porsche had moved across to Italian firm, Weber. Two of the latter’s 40IDSC3 model were employed to provide the air/fuel mix, with the 911S gaining 32mm venturis (a 2mm increase over the standard 911). The final result was an impressive 80bhp per litre.

To read more of Josh’s time behind the wheel of these two Porsche icons, pick up your copy of Total 911 issue 114 in store now. You can also order online at the Imagine Shop, or download your copy via Great Digital Mags.

Porsche 911S vs Porsche 991 Carrera S

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