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Through My Rearview Mirror

Carrera

The Porsche factory-and Fletcher Aviation sponsored 550 Spyder 4-cam 1500cc powered racing team at the Carrera Panamericana Mexico Road Race, 1954. (Photo credit: Porsche AG)

Carrera—Most Porschephiles associate this name with a 900 series, those wide-bodied Porsches with flared fenders and bedecked with front spoilers and large rear wings. However, the Carrera is named, not for a body style, but an engine type that is as old and prominent as the Porsche marque itself.

CARRERA is a Spanish word that means, “road race”- a competition where one strives to be a first-place finisher.

So why is this Spanish name so boldly imprinted in script on so many German-made Porsche models?

The year was 1952. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected President of the United States…mainly because he promised to bring the boys home from the Korean War. Interest was at a mere 3%. The Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 4 games to 3 to win the World Series—and Dr. Ferry Porsche commissioned Ernst Fuhrmann to build a new high performance engine for his race cars.  Fuhrmann's new 1500cc, TYP 547 four-cylinder engine used four Hirth overhead roller bearing camshafts to deliver considerably more power than the original VW-based mills. 

This engine was first bolted to the Factory’s open two-seater racers for the 1953 race campaign. Thus, the Carrera engine was born and proudly named in honor of the grueling five-day, 1,934-mile Carrera Panamericana Mexican Road Races that were held from 1950 to 1954. Factory-prepared Porsches participated in the Carrera Panamericana Road Races with pushrod powered 550s to finish with a class victory in 1953.

For 1954, the Fuhrmann Four Cam engine was installed in the new TYP 550 Spyder for the Porsche Werks’ endurance racing program. The result was a winning combination of engine and body design that became competitive on the international racing circuits of Reims, Nurburgring, Le Mans, and the Carrera Panamericana Mexican Road Race.

Carrera engines were manufactured at Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen with 110 horsepower from 1.5 litres; and later the engine displacement was increased to 1.6 litres and produced 150 horsepower. Racing successes were achieved among the TYP 550/718 Spyders, TYP 540 Speedsters, and TYP 356 Coupes at major international events.

In 1961, the Factory developed a 2-litre engine that was displayed to the public at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in a newly designed TYP 356 B GS/GT Coupe, which was more aerodynamic than the previous A and B production models.

This racing model had a 1966cc Carrera engine which featured twin ignition systems and a pair of Solex carburetors. The 356B Carrera GS/GT coupe cranked out 152 horsepower at 6200rpm with a top speed of 130 miles per hour.

Porsche continued to use the Carrera 2 litre four cam engine (and later, a flat eight) to power their first ever fiberglass and ladder frame bodied sports racing car --the TYP 904 GTS. The new 904 GTS, designed by Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche, became an immediate success for the Werks’ FIA GT racing class during 1964-1965 at Reims, Sebring and Le Mans. The 904 GTS was also successful in international rallye competition.

In 1966, Porsche debuted Ferdinand Piech’s designed TYP 906, named the “Carrera 6.” became homologated for FIA racing. The new Carrera 6 employed an aerodynamic unstressed fiberglass body over a light weight tubular space frame chassis, with the flat-six Carrera engine from 904/6 variants. The Carrera 6 long tail would win the 1966 World Sportscar Championship and the 1966 - 1968 European Hillclimb Championships.

In 1973, the Carrera name officially appeared on the last of the long-hood 911s with the Carrera RS. The 2.7-litre Carrera RS was a built as a limited production special to meet homologation rules for various racing organizations. It was available in several different versions including a lightweight Sport (200 made) and a more street oriented Touring version (1308 produced) as well as an even more limited production full race version—the RSR (less than 60 made.)  The street legal Carrera's 2.7 litre engine churned out 200 horsepower while having a top speed of 150 mph in street form. It was the first 911 to feature a small "ducktail" rear spoiler to help the rear of the car stay planted at these heady speeds.  

That rear spoiler became a defining feature of the Carrera, and by 1975, it grew an even larger tail, with an upturned rubber lip that protected the delicate fiberglass engine lid and gave a little more downforce. Displacement was bumped to 3.0 litres in 1974 with the change to the G-Body, which unfortunately also gained the heavier 'impact bumpers'.   In 1976, the Carrera picked up a turbocharger and a new name: “Turbo Carrera.”

The Turbo Carrera was a beast; it tested out at 256 horsepower with a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The turbocharged engine was truly amazing, as the exhaust driven turbine wheel developed speeds of up to 90,000 rpm, pre-compressing air to a density of 11.4 psi. Of course, the fuel injection was commensurately modified to maintain the proper air and fuel ratio. 

Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen continued to promote the legendary Carrera name for over five decades with the production of the following models:

TYP 911 Carrera G-Series…1974 to 1989 (1974-1976 Carrera 2.7), (1978-1983 911 SC), (1984-1989 Carrera 3.2)

TYP 924 Carrera….(1980 GT), (1981 GTS)

TYP 930 Carrera…1975 to 1989 G-Series, (1975-1977 3.0 Turbo H6), (1978 -1989 3.3 Turbo H6)

TYP 964 Carrera….1989 to 1994 (Carrera 4 / Carrera 2, RS / RS America, Targa, Cabriolet models)

TYP 993 Carrera…1994 to 1998 (Last of air-cooled engine . Carrera S / Carrera 4S / Turbo / Turbo S)

TYP 996 Carrera…1998 to 2006 (2002 996.2 introduced with Targa and Carrera 4S models)

TYP 980 Carrera… (Carrera GT) 2003 to 2006 (1,270 units built)

TYP 997 Carrera…2005 to 2012 (2005 -2008 997.1, 2009-2012 997.2 becomes a facelifted version)

TYP 991 Carrera…2012 to 2019 ( 991.1 / 991.2/ T). Seventh generation with longer wheelbase, wider track)

TYP 992 Carrera…2019 to present. Eighth generation. (2021 introduced 992 GT3 / 2021 992 GT3 RS/ T in 2023)

CARRERA. A distinctive name and script representing Porsche’s racing legacy…one of prestige and perfection…Driven by Dreams.

*Lee Raskin is an internationally recognized Porsche 356/550 historian and an author of acclaimed photographic biographies.

Copyright Lee Raskin, 2025.

Portrait of the Month

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts with her psychedelic 1964 Porsche 356 C Cabriolet,1968. Photo credit: Jim Marshall / Estate of Jim Marshall.

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?

My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.”

This is a telling story…about the Queen of Psychedelic Soul who also owned and loved to drive her 356 Porsche.

This year commemorates the 55^th Anniversary of the death of the most iconic and successful rock performers of the late 1960s –Janis Joplin, who tragically passed away on October 4, 1970. Amongst Porsche enthusiasts, she is also known for her beloved 1964 Porsche 356C Cabriolet.

It was September of 1968. Janis Joplin, lead singer of her Big Brother and the Holding Company rock band was in Los Angeles recording their songs. She drove past the Estes-Zipper VW and Porsche dealership on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills and decided to take a test drive in a used 1964 Porsche 356C cabriolet. She fell in love with the Porsche and purchased it on the spot for $3500. It was painted the off-white Dolphin Grey with a black interior and had a black folding cabriolet top.

Janis decided to personalize her Porsche, like James Dean did with his 550 Spyder; subsequntly asking Dave Richards, a close friend and “roadie” with her band, to customize the 356 Cab as a kaleidoscopic mural.

Richards transformed the Porsche into what he called, ‘The History of the Universe,’ a unique mobile work of art. The dramatic graphics depicting butterflies, jellyfish, a caricature of Janis Joplin with her band, along with her Capricorn sign and the ancient third eye symbol. The Porsche immediately became identified with the Psychedelic Queen, wherever she drove in LA or in San Francisco and especially to her performances.

After Janis Joplin’s untimely death in 1970, the Porsche wound up with her former manager, Albert Grossman, who drove it for several years in New York until it became in disrepair. Joplin’s siblings took it back and had it repainted Dolphin Grey. Her brother Michael noted, “Besides Janis’ music and legacy, her Porsche is the most visual and important piece of memorabilia that exists.”

During the 1990s the family decided to have the Porsche repainted again as “The History of the Universe,” and commissioned artists Jana Mitchell and Amber Owen to do the honors. Historic photos were used to recreate the psychedelic livery.

The Porsche was then loaned for a long-term display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.

"It seems like such an extension of her personality-beautiful and colorful and fun,” related a curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “When I look at it, I see Janis in it, with the top down, with her dog, George, in the back seat, driving around the Haight. I really see it as an extension of Janis.”

After two decades…having been viewed by over half-million visitors per year, the family decided to take the Porsche out of the Hall of Fame Museum.

In December 2015, the family consigned the Porsche for a RM Sotheby's auction to be held in New York City. Auction experts estimated the psychedelic Porsche would fetch between $400,000 and $600,000. The iconic ’64 Cabriolet proved them wrong, as the bidding went well beyond those values and was sold to an undisclosed buyer for $1.76 million. It set a new record for the highest price paid for a production 356 Porsche model.

Today, Janis Joplin’s 1964 Porsche Cabriolet, VIN 160371 remains one of the most iconic production 356 Porsches owned by a celebrity…along with James Dean’s 1955 Porsche Super 1500 Speedster, VIN 80126, and Steve McQueen’s 1958 Porsche Super 1600 Speedster, VIN 84855.

*Lee Raskin is an internationally recognized Porsche 356/550 historian and author of acclaimed photographic biographies.

Copyright Lee Raskin 2025

We ran across this orange 1968 Sports Purpose style 911 at Autokennel and came away very smitten.  They say it's hard to sell a car that's been modified to your specific tastes—but this one is so beautiful, it's surely the exception.

 Learn more here: https://autokennel.com/?featured_vehicle=1968-porsche-911-sport-purpose-coupe-2-5l-aluminum-high-compression-twin-plug-1900-lbs-255-hp

This 1974 Porsche 914 2.0L Targa, finished in Sepia Brown with a striking two tone tan interior, represents what many consider the best iteration of the four-cylinder 914 lineup. Fully serviced in February 2023 by Jacks German Auto Service in Fountain Valley, California, this mid-engine Porsche is ready for its next owner to enjoy.  It is for sale at European Collectibles in Costa Mesa, California. 

Click Here to learn more!  

What do you do to mark your faithful Speedster turning 70?

You might give it an oil change or a wash and polish. But owners Mark and Kerry from England wanted to mark the day, Sunday 3rd August, by taking their Speedster back to Stuttgart, where it was ‘born’ 70 years before.

Opposite the amazing Porsche Museum is the original Reutter factory, still there, but now surrounded by a modern Porsche factory set up. These original Reuters buildings are now where Recaro seats are made.

Through the Grundmans in Germany, who are avid Porsche and VW collectors, and organised of the HO26 show next year; Mark and Kerry were able to park their car outside the museum whilst they enjoyed a private tour of the museum’s workshop, amazing archive / library and then a guided tour of the museum, that taught even Porsche fan Mark lots of new details of Porsches early history.

To round the trip off they stayed at the V8 Hotel, a Mecca for car fans about 30 mins from Zuffenhausen.

The Porsche is very original, having survived 70 years without any obvious welding repairs. The cars maintained by Mark, using Stoddards range of parts supplied through UK a distributor. 

If anyone recognizes chassis number 80318 from its time in the USA, Mark and Kerry would love to know its back story and how it’s survived so well.  You can email us at parts@stoddard.com if you have any backstory on this beautiful septuagenarian

We love it when our customers keep driving and enjoying them.

World-renowned Willhoit Restoration took two years restoring and modifying this 1955 Speedster, upgrading the suspension, installing a 2.2 liter WR engine.  The result is a subtle and classy outlaw that would turn heads and stretch necks wherever it goes. The jewel-like Aquamarine paint and chocolate leather interior are *Chef's Kiss*

Learn more here:

https://willhoit356.smugmug.com/FORSALE/1955-Speedster-Hot-Rod/i-9QnRNMH 

We saw this very nice looking 1965 356C Cabriolet on Bringatrailer.com.  It's being sold by Road Scholars in North Carolina and is very well represented with plenty of excellent images so the prospective buyers can really see what they're getting.  Well done!     The auction has 7 days go--we'll be watching this result closely! 

Petrol Blue is one of our favorite G-Body colors...and we saw this beauty at CarParc while we were visiting them during the Lit Meet week.  It looks like a very clean, solid 911 that's ready to be enjoyed!   

See more info at https://carparcusa.com/1980-petrol-blue-911sc/