- Porsche is celebrating 60 years of rear-engine sports car success with a special edition 911 known as the 911 S/T.
- With the 4.0-liter flat-six from a GT3 RS and a road-geared 6-speed manual transmission, Porsche says the 1963 unit run is meant for optimal street performance.
- Sticker price for a piece of Porsche history will start at $291,650, though the limited production run suggests the sales window will be short and swift.
After years of research, on-road testing, and production line development, the moment that a new car rolls off the factory floor and into the hands of customers is monumental for the company. It's the culmination of years of engineering and design efforts, but that doesn't always mean the model will ascend to consumer fandom.
Rarely does a passenger nameplate even make its mark in a sea of competitors and changing name conventions. But when an automaker creates something that truly resonates, they hold onto it tightly. And Porsche's 911 is a pinnacle example, as the folks in Weissach celebrate 60 years of the iconic rear-engine sports car with a special edition.
Known as the 2024 Porsche 911 S/T, Porsche says it will make 1963 units in honor of its decades of driver enjoyment. And it's sticking close to its roots with the tuning and design of the 911 S/T, as the model is the lightest weight 911 of its generation. Weighing in at 3056 pounds, the chassis is primarily constructed with carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.
Porsche's Ceramic Composite Brake system, along with 20-inch front and 21-inch rear magnesium wheels, help keep weight down, too, but the real savings come from removing rear-axle steering and reducing insulation. All told the 2024 Porsche 911 S/T is 70 pounds lighter than a manual 911 GT3 Touring.
The 911 S/T is essentially the child of a GT3 Touring and GT3 RS, as it houses the 518-hp, 342-lb-ft of torque 4.0-liter flat-six engine from the 911 GT3 RS paired with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. However, the ten-tenths-optimized suspension tuning from a GT3 RS is rightfully missing, as Porsche says the 911 S/T is made for public roads.
As such, its suspension tuning airs on the supple side and is uniquely tuned given its lack of rear-wheel steering. Because it's fitted with a manual transmission, Porsche gave it shorter ratios than the GT3 Touring, allowing for more semi-legal fun on the street.
Don't mistake the 911 S/T for a slow poke, though. Porsche says it still does 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 186 mph—two miles an hour above the current GT3 RS. You can enjoy the sonorous howl of a six-cylinder boxer on your way to its top speed, as it comes standard with a switchable sport exhaust system.
Aerodynamics aren't the focus of the 911 S/T, but Porsche equipped the model with a standard Gurney flap on the extending rear spoiler, to fulfill your street driving needs.
A balance of spirited driving and upscale comfort was required to build an ideal tribute, so full bucket seats come standard. However, those desiring more comfort can opt for an adjustable Sports Seat Plus for no extra cost. Additionally, the instrument cluster and clock are finished in a classic Porsche green.
Porsche purists can go one step further and opt for the Heritage Design Package, which includes an exclusive Shore Blue Metallic paint color and Ceramica-colored rims. Cognac-colored cloth and black-leather two-tone seats make up the trim material specifics. A 1960s-era Porsche logo will replace all badging on these extra-special units, too.
Buying a piece of Porsche history won't be cheap. Priced at $291,650 (including a $1650 destination fee), all 1963 Porsche 911 S/T units are set for delivery by spring 2024. These will likely be sold out before average consumers even know it, but at least that means you'll have a shot at spotting one at Monterey Car Week 2024.
Will Porsche's Boxster or Cayman models ever rise to the same level of fame as the 911? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts below.
A New York transplant hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Emmet White has a passion for anything that goes: cars, bicycles, planes, and motorcycles. After learning to ride at 17, Emmet worked in the motorcycle industry before joining Autoweek in 2022. The woes of alternate side parking have kept his fleet moderate, with a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and a 2003 Honda Nighthawk 750 street parked in his South Brooklyn community.
