Porsche turns back time for anniversary 911

PORSCHE will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its iconic 911 sportscar later this year with a limited-run $270,100 version that turns the clock back five decades.

Expected in Australian showrooms late this year, the 911 50 – as the model is badged – features a range of hallmarks that date back to the original 1963 version.

The rear-drive, wide-bodied anniversary car features similar interior highlights to the original “901” 911, including green labelling on the instrument cluster with white pointer needles and silver caps on the instrument pivot pins, and centre panels on the leather seats designed with a fabric pattern that harkens back of the “Pepita” tartan design from the 1960s.

The 50th anniversary 911 features a 294kW 3.8-litre flat six engine mounted down the rear as part of a showcase of technology that has defined the modern-day version of the sportscar.

It also gets the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with special tuning to complement the new model’s increased track width and a sports exhaust system, and adaptive bi-Xenon headlights.

At each corner, the 911 50 features 20-inch wheels that “make a visual tribute to the legendary Fuchs wheels finished in matte black with machine-polished centres,” Porsche says.

The 50th anniversary model makes its debut at September’s Frankfurt motor show – the same place that the original car was launched in 1963. In recognition of that, Porsche will build just 1963 anniversary editions, the company says.