Porsche’s ground-breaking 356 sportscar had served the company well since 1948, but by the 1960s its replacement was long overdue.

First revealed to the public in 1963, the new 911 brought wholesale improvements over the outgoing design, and while it shared its predecessors slightly unconventional rear-engined configuration, it proved a leap forward in terms of both performance and driving dynamics.

Better than the aging 356 in almost every regard, the 901-generation 911’s most notable feature was perhaps its engine, a 1,991-cc air-cooled flat-six with a claimed peak output of 130 horsepower.

Development of the new sportscar was rapid, and by 1966 an improved “S” variant entered showrooms, bringing with it numerous upgrades; the front anti-roll bar was uprated; an anti-roll bar was fitted at the rear of the car; ventilated disc brakes were added; and the standard steel wheels were replaced with 15-inch five-spoke forged alloy items from Fuchs.

The most notable changes were made to ...