1967 – 1969 Porsche 911 S 2.0 (SWB & LWB) – Ultimate Guide
The 911 S was introduced to increase the performance potential of the very successful 911. It had a more powerful engine along with a number of chassis enhancements that made it very desirable. The 1966 2.0 S was the first high performance 911 variant and it came just two years after the first 911 was sold to customers.
The changes were significant. The engine got a higher compression ratio, new camshafts, bigger valves and ports, Weber 40 IDS carburetors (instead of IDA) and a revised exhaust system. Thanks to a nitrided crankshaft and forged pistons it was also a much stronger unit. Power and torques jumped with the potent upgrades delivering 160 hp at 6,600 rpm and 132 lb/ft at 5,200 rpm (compared with the standard car’s 130 hp at 6,100rpm and 129 lb/ft at 4200rpm). May not sound like much on paper but the ew engine was a screamer and people noticed.
In terms of looks the new S model was not that different. With the exception of the now famous Fuchs forged alloy wheels (all-silver as opposed to the more well-known silver-on-black) it was just another basic 911 looking machine.
Here’s the thing though. Despite the same looks as the base 911, the S was so much more fun to drive. It is screaming with feedback, an exciting mechanical machine that you cannot find in today’s day and age, and it is utterly addictive.
Exciting is right word for the handling. It has a combination of sharp, hyper-detailed steering, negligible weight over the nose, a very short wheelbase and all that weight beyond the rear axle means that even with the slightest twitch of the wheel I sense, with some trepidation, the car developing a tail-led slip angle. It wants to oversteer, wants to be bent out of shape into a corner and powered through on the throttle.
This power with just over a tonne in weight coupled with short gearing and the 2.0 S is genuinely rapid. The engine zips through the revs, then pulls with real vigor at the top end. The 911 2.0 S was good for 0 – 60 mph in 7.4 sec (back in 1966). Even today with all the instant torque available in a Tesla 3 the 911 2.0 S is still the one I would choose, it just has so much character and presence.
The two-liter just loves to rev. It has an old school edge to it for sure, but man I could listen to this engine all day long and never tire of its sound. It’s always very loud, and gets even louder when you use the throttle and pile on the revs. There is something to that makes this car so special.
1967 MY 911S
The 1967 model year was the first year of the 911 S. It got the stylish Fuchs alloy wheels and the same 2.0 Liter as the standard model, but with 30 more horsepower for a total of 160 hp. The 911S featured engine Type 901/02 with Weber carburetors. The model was available as either a 911S Coupe or 911S Targa with a ‘soft’ plastic rear window. significant modifications can be found in the 911S Custom market. It was succeeded by the 1968 911S.
1968 MY 911S
The Porsche 911S continued into its second year in production powered by the same engine as its predecessor, Type 901/02, but this time Type 901/08 with Sportomatic (a semi-automatic transmission) became available as well. As with the prior year, the engine featured Weber carburetors and was rated at 160 hp. It was the top of the line offering from Porsche in Europe, above the new entry level 1968 911T and the mid-level 1968 911L.
Worth noting that in North America, the 911L was considered the top offering for the year, due to emissions restrictions preventing the sale of the 911 S in that market. The 1968 911 S was available as either a 911S Coupe or 911S Targa with a ‘soft’ plastic rear window. As with the other 911 variants, the 1968 model year is noteworthy as the last year of the short wheelbase (SWB) 911 chassis. It was replaced by the 1969 Long-Wheel Base 911S.
1969 MY 911S
The Porsche 911S continued for the 1969 model year as the top of the line model for the 911, sitting above the contemporaneous 1969 911T and 1969 911E. As with the other variants, 1969 models were the first to take on a longer wheelbase chassis at 89.4 inches (increased by 2.4 inches) which greatly improved drivability, along with flared wheelwells to accommodate larger tires. The 1969 911S was powered by engine Type 901/10 featuring mechanical fuel injection (MFI), and was rated at 170 hp. It was available as a 911S Coupe or 911S Targa. After a total production of 2,106 samples (1,492 Coupes, 614 Targa), it was replaced by the 2.2L 911S for model year 1970.
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