Porsche History: From the 356 to the Taycan

By CarWhere Research · Updated

Porsche began building its own cars in 1948 with the 356, hand-built in Gmünd, Austria, before moving to Zuffenhausen. The 911 followed in 1963 and is now in its eighth generation (992). Front-engine transaxle cars filled the 1970s and 1980s, the Boxster and water-cooled 996 rescued the 1990s, and the Cayenne, hybrid hypercars and the electric Taycan came after.

Porsche history timeline, 1931 to today

  1. 1931 — Ferdinand Porsche establishes an independent design and engineering firm; it later designs the Volkswagen Beetle.[1]
  2. 1948 — The first Porsche-badged car, the 356, is introduced. The first 52 cars are hand-built in Gmünd, Austria.[1],[2]
  3. 1950 — Production moves to Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart, with bodies from Reutter; 369 cars are built that year, and New York importer Max Hoffman places the first North American order.[1]
  4. 1954 — The 356 Speedster arrives as a lower-priced, stripped-down open car; in the US it costs $2,995.[1],[3]
  5. 1963 — The 356's successor debuts at the Frankfurt IAA on 12 September as the 901, with a 130 PS air-cooled flat-six. It goes on sale in 1964 as the 911.[4]
  6. 1965 — 356 production ends at 77,361 cars (Porsche Cars North America's count; Porsche AG says about 78,000). The four-cylinder 912 takes over as the entry model, and the 911 Targa 'safety cabriolet' is shown in Frankfurt.[1],[2],[5]
  7. 1969 — The mid-engine 914, developed with Volkswagen, is shown at the Frankfurt IAA and replaces the 912 for 1970.[1],[6]
  8. 1972 — Porsche opens its research and development center at Weissach.[1]
  9. 1974 — The 911 Turbo debuts with a 3.0-liter, 260 PS engine; it reaches the US as a 1976 model.[1],[7]
  10. 1976 — The front-engine, water-cooled 924 opens Porsche's transaxle era, and Porsche begins hot-dip galvanizing its car bodies.[1],[8]
  11. 1977 — The V8 928 premieres in Geneva; in 1978 it becomes the only sports car voted Car of the Year by international motoring journalists.[8]
  12. 1981 — The 944 premieres at the IAA; it becomes Porsche's best-selling sports car up to that point, with 163,302 built.[8]
  13. 1983 — The 'Gruppe B' study at the IAA previews the 959, the first series-production Porsche with all-wheel drive.[9]
  14. 1984 — An all-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 3.2 4x4 (internal type 953) wins the Paris-Dakar rally outright.[9]
  15. 1988 — The 964-generation 911 Carrera 4 brings all-wheel drive to the 911; about 85% of its parts are new.[5],[10]
  16. 1993 — The Boxster concept is shown in Detroit, and the 993 — the last air-cooled 911 — goes into production.[11],[12]
  17. 1995 — Porsche retires its last front-engine cars, the 928 and 968.[1],[8]
  18. 1996 — Boxster series production begins in August, and the one-millionth Porsche is built in July.[1],[11]
  19. 1997 — The 996 replaces the 993 with the first water-cooled 911 engine, a 300 PS 3.4-liter four-valve flat-six.[13]
  20. 2002 — Porsche launches its first SUV, the Cayenne, built in Leipzig.[1],[14]
  21. 2003 — Carrera GT series production starts in Leipzig; 1,270 are built by May 2006.[15]
  22. 2009 — The Panamera, Porsche's first four-door sports sedan, is unveiled in Shanghai.[1]
  23. 2013 — The 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid laps the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6:57; production ends with car number 918 on 19 June 2015. The Macan premieres in Los Angeles.[1],[16]
  24. 2017 — The one-millionth 911 rolls off the line in Zuffenhausen on 11 May.[17]
  25. 2018 — The eighth-generation 911, the 992, premieres in Los Angeles on 27 November.[1],[18]
  26. 2019 — Porsche debuts its first fully electric car, the Taycan.[1]
  27. 2024 — The 992.2 911 Carrera GTS becomes the first road-legal 911 with a hybrid powertrain (T-Hybrid).[1]
  28. 2025 — Porsche delivers 279,449 vehicles worldwide, including 51,583 911s.[19]

Porsche 911 generations

Eight generations of the 911 since 1963, by Porsche's internal type code. Production totals are Porsche's generation-history figures; the 991 total is an interim count and the 992 is still in production.

Porsche 911 generations: type code, production years, engine, cooling and key facts
GenerationYears builtEngineCoolingKey facts
Original 911 (901/911)1963–19732.0 to 2.7 L flat-six; 130 PS at launchAirShown as the 901 in 1963, sold as the 911 from 1964. Targa from 1966, 911 S 1966, Carrera RS 2.7 in 1973. 111,995 built.[4],[5]
G-model (incl. 911 SC, Carrera 3.2, 930 Turbo)1973–19892.7, 3.0 and 3.2 L flat-six; Turbo 3.0 then 3.3AirImpact bumpers, galvanized bodies, first Turbo (1974) and first factory Cabriolet (1983 model year). 198,496 built.[7],[20]
9641988–19943.6 L flat-six, 250 PSAirAbout 85% new parts; first all-wheel-drive 911 (Carrera 4); Tiptronic; ABS and power steering standard. 63,762 built.[10]
9931993–19983.6 L flat-six, 272 to 300 PS; Turbo 408 PSAirLast air-cooled 911; multi-link rear axle; first twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive Turbo; sliding-glass Targa. 68,881 built.[12]
9961997–20053.4 L, later 3.6 L flat-six, 300 to 320 PSWaterFirst water-cooled 911; shared parts with the Boxster; Turbo was the first series Porsche past 300 km/h. 175,262 built.[13]
9972004–20123.6 L and 3.8 L flat-six, 325 to 385 PSWaterDirect injection and the dual-clutch PDK from the 2008 update; VTG turbos on the Turbo. 213,004 built.[21]
9912011–20193.4/3.8 L naturally aspirated, then 3.0 L twin-turbo (2015 update)WaterWheelbase stretched by 10 cm; aluminum-steel body; turbocharged Carreras from the 991.2; GT2 RS at 700 PS. 217,930 built through Oct. 2018.[18],[22]
9922019–present3.0 L twin-turbo flat-six; 3.6 L T-Hybrid in 992.2 GTSWaterPremiered 27 Nov. 2018 in Los Angeles; first hybrid 911 (2024 GTS T-Hybrid). Still in production.[1],[18]

Specs for every 911 trim by generation: Porsche 911 specs.

Porsche 911 generations

The rear-engine 911 by generation, from the G-model 911 SC to today's 992.

Porsche 911 SC history1978–1983Porsche 911 SC history, model years 1978–1983: the 3.0-liter G-model 911 with 180 to 204 PS, Coupe, Targa and the first factory 911 Cabriolet.Porsche 930 history1975–1989Porsche 930 history 1975–1989: the first 911 Turbo, 260 PS 3.0 to 300 PS 3.3, US availability gaps, slant-nose cars and what to check before buying.Porsche 964 history1988–1994Porsche 964 history 1988–1994: 63,762 built, the first all-wheel-drive 911, the 250 PS 3.6, Turbo 3.3 and 3.6, RS America and buying checks.Porsche 993 history1993–1998Porsche 993 history 1993–1998: the last air-cooled 911, 68,881 built, the 408 PS twin-turbo Turbo, Targa glass roof, GT2 and buying checks.Porsche 996 history1997–2005Porsche 996 history 1997–2005: the first water-cooled 911, 175,262 built, 300 PS 3.4 to 483 PS GT2, the IMS bearing story and what to check before buying.Porsche 997 history2004–2012Porsche 997 history 2004–2012: 213,004 built, 997.1 vs 997.2 (direct injection and PDK from 2008), GT3 RS 4.0, Sport Classic and buying checks.Porsche 991 history2011–2019Porsche 991 history 2011–2019: 991.1 vs 991.2, the switch to 3.0 twin-turbo Carreras, 700 PS GT2 RS, 911 R and the one-millionth 911, with buying checks.Porsche 992 history2019–presentPorsche 992 history: the eighth-generation 911, revealed Nov. 2018, from the 379 hp Carrera to the 711 PS T-Hybrid Turbo S, and 992.1 vs 992.2.

911 variants and special models

Body styles and limited models that cut across generations.

Porsche 911 Turbo history1974–presentPorsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S history by generation, 1974–today: 260 PS 930 to 711 PS T-Hybrid, production counts and what to check before buying.Porsche 911 Targa history1965–presentPorsche 911 Targa history 1965–today: the 'safety cabriolet' roll bar, the 993–997 glass roofs, the 2014 return of the bar, 87,663 early Targas built.Porsche 911 Dakar history2023–2024Porsche 911 Dakar history: 2,500 built, revealed Nov. 2022, 480 PS, 50 mm extra ride height plus a 30 mm lift, and the 1984 Paris-Dakar win behind it.Porsche 911 GT3 Touring history2017–presentPorsche 911 GT3 Touring history: launched at the 2017 IAA on the 991.2 with a 500 PS 4.0 and manual only, then the 992 and 992.2 versions, plus checks.Porsche 911 GT2 RS history2010–2019Porsche GT2 RS history: the 620 PS 997 GT2 RS of 2010 and the 700 PS 991 GT2 RS, the fastest series 911 at 340 km/h, plus the GT2 cars before them.

Four-cylinder and transaxle Porsches

The entry-level and front-engine cars from 1965 to 1995.

Porsche 912 history1965–1969, 1976Porsche 912 history 1965–1969 and the 1976 912E: the four-cylinder 911, about 32,000 built, the 90 PS 1.6 engine and what to check before buying.Porsche 914 history1969–1976Porsche 914 history 1969–1976: the mid-engine VW-Porsche, 115,631 four-cylinder cars and 3,338 914/6s built, engines, racing record and buying checks.Porsche 924 history1976–1988Porsche 924 history 1976–1988: the first transaxle Porsche, over 150,000 built, Turbo, 406-car Carrera GT and 924 S, plus what to check before buying.Porsche 944 history1982–1991Porsche 944 history 1982–1991: 163,302 built, every variant from the 163 PS 2.5 to the 250 PS Turbo, and what to check before buying one.Porsche 968 history1991–1995Porsche 968 history 1991–1995: the last transaxle four-cylinder, 11,248 built, 240 PS 3.0 with six-speed, 1,538 Club Sports and 14 Turbo S.Porsche 928 history1977–1995Porsche 928 history 1977–1995: Porsche's first V8, the only sports car voted Car of the Year, about 61,000 built, S, S4, GT and 350 PS GTS.

Mid-engine Boxster and Cayman

The cars that rescued Porsche in the 1990s, and their sharpest descendant.

Porsche 986 Boxster history1996–2004Porsche 986 Boxster history 1996–2004: the 1993 concept that rescued Porsche, 164,874 built, 2.5, 2.7 and 3.2 S engines, and the IMS checks to make.Porsche 987 Boxster & Cayman history2005–2012Porsche 987 Boxster and Cayman history 2005–2012: 987.1 vs 987.2, the first Cayman, 240 to 330 hp engines, Spyder and Cayman R, and what to check.Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS history2022–2025Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS history: revealed Nov. 2021 in LA, a 500 PS GT3-derived 4.0 flat-six, 7:04.511 at the Nürburgring, and buying checks.

Porsche supercars

Porsche's technology flagships, each built in a fixed, small run.

Porsche 959 history1986–1988Porsche 959 history: the 1983 'Gruppe B' study, 450 PS twin-turbo AWD, 292 built, the 1986 Paris-Dakar win, its DM 420,000 price and auction results.Porsche Carrera GT history2003–2006Porsche Carrera GT history: 1,270 built in Leipzig 2003–2006, a 612 PS V10 from a shelved Le Mans car, the original price and recent auction results.Porsche 918 Spyder history2013–2015Porsche 918 Spyder history: 918 built 2013–2015, an 887 hp plug-in hybrid with a 608 PS V8, the 6:57 Nürburgring lap and its $845,000 US price.

Own a 1981-or-later Porsche? See how it left the factory.

For US-market Porsches with a 17-character VIN, the CarWhere build sheet lists the factory paint, interior and option codes recorded for that VIN. $9.99, and the free availability check shows whether build data exists before you pay. Older cars: see the Certificate of Authenticity guide.

Porsche build sheet by VIN

Porsche history FAQ

What was the first Porsche?

The first car to carry the Porsche name was the 356, introduced in 1948. The first 52 were hand-built in Gmünd, Austria, before production moved to Zuffenhausen in Stuttgart in 1950. The 356 used a rear-mounted engine derived from the Volkswagen Beetle and was built until 1965.

How many generations of the Porsche 911 are there?

Eight: the original 911 (1963–1973), the G-model (1973–1989), the 964, 993, 996, 997, 991 and the current 992, which premiered in November 2018. The 993 was the last air-cooled 911; the 996 introduced water cooling in 1997.

When did Porsche stop making air-cooled 911s?

The air-cooled era ended with the 993 generation in 1998. Its successor, the 996, used Porsche's first water-cooled 911 engine, a 3.4-liter four-valve flat-six with 300 PS.

Who founded Porsche?

Ferdinand Porsche founded his design and engineering firm in 1931. His son Ferry Porsche led development of the first Porsche sports car, the 356, which the company began building in 1948.

What does 'transaxle Porsche' mean?

It refers to the front-engine Porsches built from 1976 to 1995 — the 924, 944, 928 and 968 — which placed the engine at the front and the gearbox at the rear axle for better weight distribution.

More Porsche research

Sources

  1. Porsche Historical Background: 1948-2025 — Porsche Cars North America (Porsche Newsroom)
  2. Porsche has been manufacturing in Zuffenhausen for 75 years — Porsche Newsroom
  3. There can only be two — Porsche Newsroom
  4. The original 911: the masterpiece from Zuffenhausen (Seven generations of the 911, part 1) — Porsche Newsroom
  5. History of the Porsche Targa — Porsche Newsroom
  6. 50 Years of the Porsche 914 — Porsche Newsroom
  7. Seven generations of the 911, part 2: the G-model — Porsche Newsroom
  8. Time lapse: Porsche's transaxle models — Porsche Newsroom
  9. How the 911 became all-wheel drive (911 Dakar press kit: the history) — Porsche Newsroom
  10. The type 964: a new start with this 911 (part 3) — Porsche Newsroom
  11. Opening Gambit (Christophorus 398: 25 years of the Boxster) — Porsche Newsroom
  12. The 993: Pinnacle of the air-cooled era and the last of its kind (part 4) — Porsche Newsroom
  13. Seven generations of the 911, part 5: Type 996 — Porsche Newsroom
  14. The 'third Porsche' (20 years of the Cayenne) — Porsche Newsroom
  15. Porsche Carrera GT: A legendary supercar marks its milestone — Porsche Newsroom
  16. Number 918 rolls out of the manufactory — Porsche Newsroom
  17. Porsche one millionth 911: milestone details — Porsche Newsroom
  18. The seven generations of the Porsche 911 (Part 7) - The 991: the 911 passes the one million mark (press release, 27 Nov 2018) — Porsche Newsroom
  19. Porsche delivers 279,449 sports cars to customers in 2025 — Porsche Newsroom
  20. Porsche Classic model history: 911 SC — Porsche (porsche.com)
  21. The 997: Technology offensive, new design and great variety for the 911 (part 6) — Porsche Newsroom
  22. Porsche 911 specs by generation (US-market figures, each sourced on the page) — CarWhere Research

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