8 Reasons why the Porsche 911 is one of the Greatest Sports Cars Ever Made

Automobile enthusiasts are always happy to argue about which sports cars are the best and most beautiful. One legendary car ranks at the top of more fans’ lists than any other, though.

First introduced in 1963, the Porsche 911 has been in production ever since. Although plenty of significant changes were made along the way, today’s 911 remains a recognizable descendant of the original.

Many believe that the Porsche 911, in its various forms is the greatest sports car ever made. There are plenty of good reasons for that, as a look at eight of the most frequently mooted will reveal.

Porsche 911 owners tend to be among the most loyal of all, with some refusing to even drive other sports cars. Getting a quote for your Porsche of any vintage will reveal that demand for every iteration of the 911 is extremely healthy.

When the Global Automotive Elections Foundation conducted a poll to determine the Car of the Twentieth Century, the 911 ranked ahead of every other powerful, performance-oriented vehicle. From vintage Porsches to the latest models fresh off the lots of dealers, the 911 consistently earns a spot in the garages of enthusiasts. Eight of the most important reasons for that are:

• It used to be air-cooled.
• Although Porsche switched to conventional, water-based cooling decades ago, the 911’s heritage as an air-cooled car helped make it so popular. The last air-cooled Porsche 911 arrived in the 1998 model-year with plans for its liquid-cooled successor having been made years earlier. Air-cooled 911 designs were able to get by with a bit less weight, although they tended to overheat fairly easily.
• The engine sits behind the rear axle.
• Mid-engined sports cars are currently all the rage, as Chevrolet’s recent introduction of the C8 Corvette makes clear. With its own engine sitting behind the rear axle, the Porsche 911 affords a driving experience no other car can match. The weight distribution that results allows a skilled 911 pilot to put the power down earlier in a turn than would be possible with any other layout.

• It has an iconic shape.
• The distinctive location of the 911’s engine also makes for some quirks of cosmetic interest. The 911’s curves have remained recognizably the same for well over half a century. No other car on the roads looks quite like a Porsche 911, which many owners and enthusiasts appreciate.
• It has been around for decades.
• When the first 911 rolled off Porsche’s lines in 1963, no one could have predicted that it would go on to enjoy such a long production run. While it has some competition from vehicles like the Corvette, the 911’s lengthy history is a perennial source of appeal.
• It has won countless races and championships.
• Porsche has always taken racing seriously, and the 911’s record reflects this fact. From victories at globally recognized events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans to club-level competition, the 911 excels at the track.
• It can be upgraded easily.
• The popularity of the 911 has given rise to a peerless aftermarket industry. Owners can customize and upgrade their own Porsches in any way imaginable.
• It is available in a variety of configurations.
• Porsche makes sure to release each edition of the 911 in a number of different trims. A stripped-down, race-ready 911 can be obtained just as easily as a smooth-riding luxury edition, by those with enough money.