7 Of The Best Air-Cooled Porsches Sold On Collecting Cars

Whether by accident or design, some cars and their manufacturers become intrinsically linked to a particular characteristic, quirk, or technology.

Perhaps one of the most well-known links (particularly among ‘purists’) is the connection between Porsche and air-cooled engines, which traces its roots back to meetings in the 1930s to discuss the requirements for a new ‘people’s car’ for Germany.

Chosen for its reliability, low-maintenance, and ability to run in cold weather conditions at a time when anti-freeze was only just beginning to be used in high-performance aircraft engines, the air-cooled flat-four was exposed to the mass market in the VW Beetle, and was subsequently used to power the first production car to wear the Porsche badge, the 356, in 1948.

Over the next 50 years, this humble powerplant was carefully honed, tuned, and redeveloped; with six, eight, and twelve-cylinder air-cooled ‘flat’ engines powering some of Porsche’s most desirable sports and racing cars – in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged guises.

But time and technology move on, and by 1998 the air-cooled engine’s days were numbered, with water cooling allowing the use of four valves per cylinder, as well as higher power outputs, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions.

Nonetheless, Porsche’s air-cooled cars had found their way into the hearts of countless enthusiasts, and they continue to capture the imaginations of petrolheads the world over.

In this rundown, we’re looking back at some of the iconic, intriguing, and dare we say it some of the ‘best’ air-cooled Porsches that have sold on Collecting Cars to date.

The oldest Porsche to be sold on Collecting Cars; this 1954 356 ‘Pre-A’ Coupe was a wonderful example of the marque’s archetypal sports car, which secured a winning bid of £122,000 in February 2023. A US-market car, originally delivered via Max Hoffman in New York in April 1954, it later found its way to Norway, before entering the UK in 2012. It was acquired by the seller in 2017 – albeit as a bare shell – and was comprehensively rebuilt to FIA rally specifications, while also featuring a number of appealing ‘Outlaw’ touches.

While the 356 might be Porsche’s first production model, it goes without saying that the 911 is its most famous. Given that the first 911s left the factory in September 1964, this 2.0-litre coupe, first registered in May 1965, is a particularly early example. Believed to have been used for the first two years of its life as a demonstrator model by Porsche dealer Krauss of Nuremberg, the car changed hands a few times before being purchased by the seller in January 2014. This handsome 911 was then fully overhauled by some of Germany’s leading restoration experts at a cost of more than €195,000, with every aspect of the vehicle being brought back to virtually ‘as-new’ condition. Brought to market in February 2021; it sold for £158,000.

The classic 911 might be Porsche’s most successful air-cooled model, but many enthusiasts have a soft spot for the quirky 914. While the four-cylinder 914/4 quickly found its niche, the more expensive 914/6 was arguably priced too close to the entry-level 911, and the model was discontinued in 1972 after only 3,349 were produced. Built in 1970, this Irish Green example was upgraded in 1972 with the 2.2-litre flat-six from a 911 S, and was also fitted with a few more well-judged upgrades. Offered fresh from a routine service, it sold for €64,000 after an impressive 72 bids.

Today, the ‘RS’ badge has become a relatively common sight on the tail of a 911, and a highly respected one at that, but things were very different in the early 1970s when the Carrera RS 2.7 was born. While Porsche initially planned to create just 500 cars to homologate the model for racing, the company was surprised by the demand for this stripped-out and purposeful sports car, and a total of 1,580 were built. One of those first 500 cars to leave the factory, this striking Chartreuse RS 2.7 ‘Touring’ was listed in October 2020. Given its rarity and iconic status, it comes as little surprise that the listing was viewed more than 20,700 times, or that the car sold for an impressive £475,000.

While the revered 930-generation Porsche 911 Turbo was never for the faint of heart given its dramatic styling and boisterous handling, this 1975 car really stood apart from the crowd. Dating from the model’s first year of production, this 911 Turbo was the 85th example to leave the factory, one of only six 1975 cars delivered new to Australia, and one of only 18 right-hand-drive ‘first year’ Turbos. Almost as notable as its provenance was the striking colour scheme, with vibrant Emerald Green Metallic paintwork over a retrimmed Terracotta-clad cabin proving to be a surprisingly appealing combination. This wonderful, fully restored 930 Turbo sold for A$410,000 – at the time setting a new world record for a right-hand-drive car.

Moving on from the 930-generation 911 Turbo to its successor, the 964; this stunning one-off car was brought to market in August 2021. While any 964 Turbo is a sought-after variant, this car had an intriguing story to tell. Specially ordered by the Sultan of Brunei, this 3.6-litre model was equipped with the factory-fitted ‘X88’ power package, and was believed to be the only one of its kind finished in the handsome hue of Horizon Blue Metallic. As you might expect, such an impressive modern classic later found its way into the hands of a renowned enthusiast, namely 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, on whose behalf the car was listed for sale. Seven days, 51,703 views, and 99 bids later, this striking 911 secured a winning bid of £317,464.

Rounding out our list and moving forward one more generation, we’re highlighting this handsome 993-generation 911 Turbo S. Believed to be one of only 23 UK-market cars; it was specified in the ‘Paint to Sample’ colour of Ocean Blue Metallic, and perfectly complemented by a Midnight Blue leather-trimmed interior with carbon-fibre accents. Well cared-for by Porsche main dealers and specialists throughout its life, and offered with fewer than 42,000 miles on the odometer, this thrilling modern classic attracted 110 bids during its seven-day auction, ultimately selling for the astonishing sum of £397,500.

To this day, the Porsche 911 remains one of the automotive world’s most recognisable and respected sports cars, thanks in part to its well-judged evolutionary changes rather than radical redevelopment. While it’s now been 25 years since the last 993-generation 911 rolled off the production line, Porsche’s earlier and iconic air-cooled cars remain highly prized by enthusiasts and collectors alike.

If you’re trying to find your ideal air-cooled 911, then remember to keep an eye on our Coming Soon section, and subscribe to updates for all the latest news and listings.