40 Years with the Porsche 911 - A miniature review
by Doug Breithaupt


1965 901 - Siku #V234/5


1966 912 - Penny (Polistil) #0/24


1967 911S - Efsi #402


Porsche 911 models of the 1960's include the wonderful 901 model of 1965 by Siku. Peugeot forced Porsche to change the name to 911 after the first 82 cars were produced. but the Siku model remained as the 901. The detail including plastic lights, wing-windows and an opening bonnet make this one of the all-time great Porsche models in 1:64. Penny Toys' Porsche 912 is just about as rare. The 912 was a curious choice for a toy car company as it did not have the panache of the 6 cylinder 911. Efsi/Best Box did the original 911S, representing the new 'Super' model, first offered in 1967.


1967 911S - Norev (Schuco casting) #301813


1969 911E Targa - Siku #V234


1973 911 Carrera RS - Corgi


Three more first-generation 911 (1965-73) models are clearly identified by their early bumpers. Norev did the 911S but the casting was one provided to Norev by Schuco. Siku did the 1969 911E 'Einspritzung' (fuel injection) model in targa form. This is another wonderful model from Siku and a personal favorite. Corgi's 1973 911 Carrera RS is easy to spot as it was a one-year only body style. This model has been in production by Corgi and now Hot Wheels for 30 years! It is still included in the HW line and is a testament to the consistent look of the 911 body style.

magnetic car signs
1974 911 Carrera RS - Hot Wheels


1978 911S - Tomica #F3


1983 911SC Cabriolet - Siku #1067


The mid-1970's 911 models were not a high-point for Porsche and few are represented. In 1974, the Porsche 911 added weight and lost power. New 5 mph impact bumpers and federal smog requirements did not improve the car. The Carrera RS continued for those wanting to race and Hot Wheels did the 1974 model with red-line tires, a model that is still in production as well (this model sold, hence file photo). In 1978, the 911SC arrived with bigger wheels and more power. The last 911SC models were produced in 1983 and for the first time included a cabriolet. Siku offered a version of the first-generation Cabriolet which may still be in production.


1976 911/930 Turbo Carrera - Tomica #F1


1977 911/930 Turbo Carrera - Matchbox #3


1985 911 Carrera 3.2 - Johnny Lightning #133


The big news for the 1970's was the introduction of the Porsche 911/930 Turbo Carrera in 1975. The early Turbo Carrera model was done by both Tomica and Matchbox and can be identified by the smaller rear spoiler used until 1977. The Matchbox model shown is the first version, offered in 1979 and in an accurate Porsche color. It remained in the Matchbox lime for over 20 years. In 1984, the 911SC was replaced by the Carrera 3.2 and this version has just been done by Johnny Lightning as a 1985 model, complete with opening engine compartment.


1982 911/930 Turbo Carrera - Majorette


1982 911/930 Turbo Carrera - Johnny Lightning


1982 911/930 Turbo Carrera - Hot Wheels #1512ZA


The second-generation 911-930 Turbo Carrera of 1978-89 had more power and a larger 'tea-tray' rear spoiler. Three deluxe models of this car are shown, produced by Majorette, Johnny Lightning and Hot Wheels. Majorette's Deluxe Edition model is still the best to my eye although the silver detailing on the 'tea-tray' is missing. The JL version is the only example with engine detail but the painted sun roof looks cheap. HW has the best mirrors but the wheels look wrong on this collector model. All three models are very nice and should be welcome in any collection.


1978 935-78 'Moby Dick' - Tomica #F10


1979 935 - Matchbox


1979 935 - Corgi


The 911 became a 800 h.p. monster when Porsche racing boss Norbert Singer used the rules to produce a GT race car that retained the 911 roof-line. The factory produced the body-style that finished 8th at Le Mans in 1978, done here by Tomica. In 1979, Kremer Brothers used a shorter tailed version of the 935 to win Le Mans. Matchbox and Corgi both produced versions of the 1979 935 in a variety of racing colors. With full turbo boost, this 935 produced close to 900 h.p., hitting 227 m.p.h. on the Mulsanne Straight.


1987 911 Targa - Corgi


1982 911/930S 'Slant Nose' - Hot Wheels


1989 911 Carrera Speedster - Maisto


Variations on the 911 theme were available in the 1980's. From 1986 to 1989, the 'Turbo Look' became available for Targa and Cabriolet models. Corgi did the Targa with Turbo kit. Hot Wheels re-released this casting under their own name later. Hot Wheels also did the 'Slant-Nose Turbo' or 930S, produced from 1981-89. The idea was to make the 930 look more like the racing 935 models. Reaching back to the past for the Speedster name, Porsche produced a special-bodied Cabriolet for one year only. Maisto is the only one to do the '89 Carrera Speedster. This could be the best-known 1:64 scale Maisto and has appeared in many colors.


1986 959 - Siku #1068


1986 959 - Matchbox


1986 959 - Motor Max #6020


The 911 went 'Super Exotic' in 1986 with the amazing 959. With all-wheel-drive, 0-60 in 3.6 sec. and a top speed of 200 m.p.h., the 959 is still the ultimate street 911. Only 200 were built in order to allow Porsche to use the car in Group B rallying. Regulation changes limited the 959's track success but a 1-2-6 finish in the 1986 Paris-Dakar did result. Many toy 959 models exist. Siku included more detail while Matchbox produced a nice shape. Motor Max offers theirs with mirrors. Most 959 models are still being produced as they look quite current.


1995 911/993 - Yat Ming #1094


1995 911/993 - Real Toy


1995 911/993 Cabriolet - AUTOart


The 1990-94 Porsche 911/964 is not represented in small-scale. The next generation 993 (1995-98) was the last air-cooled 911 and has been done in several versions. Yat Ming released a nice 993 with opening doors and decent paint. Even better paint appeared on the 993 model from Real Toy. This model began as a competition version of the 993 and all examples retain racing interiors. Later, a highly-detailed street version was produced. AUTOart produces both the coupe and cabriolet versions of the 993. As with all their models, the detail and paint are top quality. Correct wheels add to the appeal of these models.


1999 911 GT3 - Hot Wheels


1998 911 GT2 - Tiger Wheels


1998 911 GT1 - Hot Wheels

Porsche has produced racing versions of the 911 993 and current 996 models. The GT3 has dominated it's class in sports car racing. Hot Wheels currently produces the only GT3 model. The GT2 shown here is a prototype done by Tiger Wheels but never released for sale. It represents the 993 GT2 and the casting was made by Anson. In 1998, Porsche brought a 911 GT1 to the winner's circle at Le Mans. Hot Wheels has done the GT1 in racing colors and it is one of their better recent models. The earlier GT1 was done by Tiger Wheels and Matchbox as well.


1999 911/996 - Siku #1093


2001 911/996 Cabriolet - AUTOart


2003 911/996 Turbo Carrera - Matchbox

With the 911/996 of 1999 Porsche change from air-cooled to liquid-cooled engines. The shape is still the familiar look of all 911 models. Many toy car makers have done the new 996. Siku produced their usual solid casting with opening doors. AUTOart again did the coupe and cabriolet, shown here. The Turbo Carrera has returned as a 996 model and Matchbox is the sunrise winner of 'the first to do the Turbo' sweepstakes. That said, the model is very basic and a far cry from the quality seen in previous Matchbox Porsche models. Still, the 911 Turbo of 2003 allows us to span back 40 years to the original 901 produced by Siku. Happy 40th birthday!