All 911 designs are evolutionary. This was revolutionary.
Since its creation in the 1960s, the Nine Eleven’s exterior design had undergone subtle changes over the years, but the Panamericana idea was an exception. It was originally a 964 Cabriolet Carrera 4 model. Dr. Ulrich Bez designed a completely new carbon fiber body for it.
It is a high-performance dun buggy that draws inspiration from the Carrera Panamericana endurance racing race, which was held in the first half the 1950s. It remained a concept, despite Porsche stating that the 911 was a prototype.
This was not your average 964. From the wide wheel arches and long suspension travel, to the removable zippered top and the Porsche badge embedded into the thick tires, it wasn’t ordinary. Its turquoise-blue color made it stand out more than the 911. The front had 959 cues, while the rear was equipped with taillights connected via a full-width bar. This was a nod towards the 928 GTS.
The flat-six, 3.6-liter flat-six engine that powered the Carrera 4 had the same power output as the Carrera 4. It produced 250 horsepower and 229 pound feet of torque through a five speed manual gearbox. Porsche released performance data, including 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h), a sprint time of 5.8 seconds and an impressive top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h).
The Panamericana was created as a gift to Ferdinand Anton Ernst Porsche (aka Ferry Porsche), on his 80th Birthday. He is the son of Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the company.