1976 Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 was a 2-door sports coupe manufactured between 1976 and 1977. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche, it featured a rear-mounted, flat 6-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels.

The Porsche 'Carrera 3' is a historically significant car in the heritage of the 911. It featured the aesthetic improvements introduced with the Porsche 911 2.7 RS alongside the company's new 3.0 die-cast crankshaft engine, naturally aspirated in place of the 930's turbo unit. Sold between 1976 and 1977 only, 3687 cars were built - 2,564 being coupes, the rest in Targa format. With very few in right-hand drive form it is a rare sight in the UK today.

The engine found in the Porsche Carrera 3.0 was in essence the 911 turbo's 2994cc unit without the turbo. Predating the SC model, it had more power and torque at 200bhp and 188ft/lb respectively. Additionally it was 10% lighter aiding with handling bias. Utilising Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, it was an extremely tractable engine able to pull from 25mph to 100mph in top gear over 3 seconds faster than any previous production 911. This power was fed through an all synchromesh 4- or 5-speed 915 type gearbox to the rear wheels.

The Porsche 911 was by this stage becoming an extremely well developed and effective sports car. Lessons learned from earlier models along with a better understanding of the physics-bending task of taming the rear-engine handling made the car a force to be reckoned with.

The Carrera 3.0 due to its scarcity is a challenging ownership prospect. With so few made, original examples along with parts to maintain them are a tall order. Corrosion as always is the main consideration with repair and restoration costs expensive despite Porsches efforts with galvanising protection for the chassis and body. The usual places rust: kidney bowls, floors, and the rear parcel shelf and screen surrounds are usually the worst spots.

The 'impact bumper' Porsche 911's were initially met with disapproval at their launch, with U.S. safety laws of the time being the downfall of many cars' aesthetic virtues. Today owning a Carrera 3.0 is to be part of an exclusive club due to the low numbers produced and as a result values are rising accordingly.

The Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 set the scene for the popular Porsche 911 SC and Porsche Carrera 3.2. Offered for only two years, it was overshadowed by the preceding Carrera 2.7 RS despite being a faster car. Pitched in the middle of a three-car line-up from Porsche for 1976 including the base 2.7 and the 930 turbo, the Porsche Carrera 3.0 showcased many technological advancements seen in subsequent cars for years to come.