K-Roll's Porsche 911 Generational Comparison: 964 vs G-Series

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
07/28/2014 at 18:34 • Filed to: porsche 911

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , I covered the classic "long nose" 911 of 1963 to the impact bumper G-Series of 1974. In this segment of the generational comparison, I'll be comparing the 964 previous G-Series. As before, I'll be dealing with their first years(1974 and 1989 respectively), and coupes only to keep things simple and tidy.

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(For anyone questioning why the sudden large post and why I'm still here, I couldn't leave you all behind and not finish what I've started, so I'm staying and I'm gonna finish this to the end no matter what!)

964(1989)

Classic modernity

In a post a very long time ago, I made an argument that the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but it kinda went everywhere; the looks and the mechanics and how it was the one to buy. Now I'm actually going to explain properly.

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1989 was the first complete makeover for the 911 and Porsche did it right. They kept the classic shape but changed some minor and major things. To start off, the most notable change from the G-Series was the use of more integrated and aerodynamic polyurethane bumpers; giving the 911 the more streamlined shape that it's 1st gen. ancestor had 25 years prior. I will also note, that as with the previous generation, the turn signals and fogs(if you have/had them) are still integrated into the bumper.

The other major change was an electronically controlled rear spoiler positioned where the rear air vent was/is located; a vent with more purpose!

Now I now I said that I wouldn't get technical with this series, but this is a crucial fact; so allow me to go off on a long tangent. In 1989, the only 911 available was the new all-wheel drive Carrera 4. Now with modern 911s(the 997 and 991 most notably), the most distinguishable difference between the two is the width of the rear fenders. I'll cover this more later, but essentially, if you had a C2 it was narrower in the rear compared to the C4. In the 964's case, there was no difference in the width of the rear; they were all narrow bodied, unless it was a Turbo. However, the rear flares were slightly more pronounced than in the 1974 car. The 964 was the last generation to have the "original" narrow body design.

(1975 Porsche 930)

(3.2 Carrera Speedster "Widebody")

The widebody look originally began with the 930 Turbo, which needed bigger flares in the back to conceal the bigger tires in the rear. With the introduction of the 3.2 Carrera in 1984, buyers had the option of having the iconic "Turbo-look" from the factory, coded as M491.

The final exterior changes were very minor. The side skirts became more pronounced and the rear reflector changed it's shape slightly. The reflector maintained the "PORSCHE" lettering , but was less noticeable; the letters having only their outline and the reflector being "redded out".

Among the things that stayed the same for the 964, the location of the fuel door, the elephant ear side mirrors(of which there are two), most of the body panels as well; the doors and their windows. And if I remember right(I may have to go back and check my books) the panels for the roofline and headlights may have remained; after all, Porsche claimed the 964 to be 85% new.

The interior wasn't really anything new, but rather full of even better electronics and creature comforts. You had some actual diagnostic lights within the gauges(see the faded rectangles in gauge second to the left), Power seats, an improved AC and heating system, a new shifting housing that contained some electronic features for the car, and finally, a steering wheel-mounted airbag! But it's a racecar........

The interior was what you would expect from a 911. You have to remember that Porsche is all about evolution rather than revolution, and the 911 is he embodiment of that virtue, inside and out.

Now for some good looking pictures:

Fun Fact:

Along with the makeover to the 964, was the changing of the "911" from it's boxy 70s font, to a more italicized and edgy font; at the same time, it was also standardized on all Porsches(save for the 928 and 944) from then on and is still used today!

From this:

To this:

That's all for this segment of the generational comparison! Next time, we will take a look at the 993, and how it compares to the 964.

Hope you all enjoyed this one.

DISCUSSION (42)

Klaus Schmoll > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 18:43

Well, that was a short leave. Welcome back!

But why all the drama about leaving in the first place?

Dusty Ventures > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 18:49

When I was 12 I got a ride in a 993 Carrera 4, as such it's always been a sentimental favorite of mine. Looking forward to reading your comparison of it with the 964!

unpredictable_swerve > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 18:49

K-Roll,

Glad you decided to stick around. People make mistakes, things get taken ways they shouldn't, and people get butthurt on the internet. Its life. If this post doesn't appease the butthurt masses, maybe they should be the ones leaving.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Klaus Schmoll
07/28/2014 at 18:54

Because I wasn't sure if I wanted or needed to leave. Some fellow friendly Oppos convinced me/talked me out of it.

Blondude > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 18:54

I think this is my favorite series of posts on Oppo.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Dusty Ventures
07/28/2014 at 18:56

I have yet to get a ride in a 901, 964, 993 and 991 generation wise, but one day. Hopefully my comparison will be a good one. I was originally gonna put the 964 and 993 together while comparing the 964 to the G-Series; it would have been too long if I did so I split them up!

lonestranger > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 18:56

I'm sure you're aware, but I'd like to mention this anyway. The "more italicized and edgy font that Porsche continues to use today" was indeed standardized and used extensively from the 964 until today.

However, Porsche has used similar (though not identical) scripts long before 1989.

Kinja'd!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > lonestranger
07/28/2014 at 18:58

Right! I forgot about them using it on the original Carreras and Targas and such! If I had mentioned a Targa somewhere in there I would have made not of that as well. But that whole thought left me while I made this. Thanks for the reminder! :)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Blondude
07/28/2014 at 19:00

Thanks! :)

Textured Soy Protein > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 19:15

So you lumped together the Carrera 2.7, Carrera 3.0, Carrera SC and Carrera 3.2...as one generation?

lonestranger > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 19:17

No prob!

I'm not as much of a typophile as I am a car nut, but I'm still a bit of a font geek. Since I love Porches as much as anything, the "Carrera script" ticks two of my boxes at once.

I get excited over things like when they made the Boxster concept and put the font on the gauges . I'm kinda disappointed that the 981 doesn't use them.

Kinja'd!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Textured Soy Protein
07/28/2014 at 19:24

They are in one generation.

The G-series(or G-model) is considered to be the term to distinguish every 911 from 1974 to 1989; of course there are some major and minor differences between each one in said series, but they are all referred to as a G-series car.

Porsche themselves have done this as well:

Now there are more letters in the series, all of which have an alphabetic character to distinguish themselves(the SC and 3.2 specifically), but for ease of name calling and description, they are all G-models.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > lonestranger
07/28/2014 at 19:25

I've never seen the Boxster concept before, my does that look awesomely weird. :P

Stef Schrader > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 19:26

Kinja'd!!!

HRRRRRNNNNGGGG

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Stef Schrader
07/28/2014 at 19:26

SO MUCH WANT RIGHT?? :)

lonestranger > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 19:39

Bronze wheels, tortoise-shell emblems & interior details, HVAC vents in the console (with little fans inside them), and the birth of the fried-egg headlights.

Kinja'd!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > lonestranger
07/28/2014 at 19:42

Aside from the questionable fried egg lamps(a very wrong move on Porsche's part), I say yes to all of that! Those vents are soo weird that I think they work and I like them!

lonestranger > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 19:58

Oh, and of course the clever name Boxer + Speedster = Boxster. Look familiar?

Kinja'd!!!

I never warmed to the headlights on the Boxster, and I still hate them on the early 996 especially. But, if anyone ever tries telling you that the Boxster "ripped them off" from the 996, show them the Boxster concept. It's from 1992.

Dsscats > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 20:21

I think that the 993 looks much better. Much more...modern.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > lonestranger
07/28/2014 at 20:22

I love me some 550.

They can look good at times, but overall, not really that good; but it wouldn't turn me away from a 996 if I could afford one.

Dsscats > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 20:22

Not to strike down your dreams, but I wouldn't count on riding in a 901....

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Dsscats
07/28/2014 at 20:23

When I say "901" I'm referring to any car between 1963-73. It's not that impossible, you just have to know and find the right person/people who can connect you to that car! :)

I'd say I've still got a pretty good chance.

Dsscats > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 20:25

Oh yeah, definitely one of those. I've seen one real 901 in my life.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Dsscats
07/28/2014 at 20:35

Now when you say 901, is it in the same context that I used it, or do you mean you saw one of the actual prototypes like this one? If so, then you lucky...............

Kinja'd!!!