Air-cooled Porsche 911 - Does it live up to the hype?

[@michaels2916]

The 911 air cooled is one of the best examples of how fun it is to drive a slow car fast. Gets lots of looks and compliments from both other Porsche owners and the general public. Love my 83 SC.

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Couldn’t agree more! Enjoy in good health!

[@CapitulationTrader]

First of all, thank you. Very good video. I really enjoyed watching you in ‘real KZbin time’ realize an air cooled 911 is a fun and great car. Your face (smile) could not hide your pleasure accelerating from second to third gear repeatedly. Here’s my advice to you, even if you have to stretch a little, get a G-body 911 right now. You clearly loved driving it. It was satisfying to see you realize that these cars are amazing in ways you did not know you needed a car to be. I wish you the best and thanks again for the video. My story is that I did not buy a 1980s 911 in the 1990s because it was dated and expensive at the time. I will now pay whatever I can afford to keep driving them until I can no longer. I’ve driven and own modern Porsches, but if I had to choose only one every day, it is my 1985 Carrera. Cheers

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Thank you!! Sounds silly now, but I really was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Driving it was like an event, not really any other way to view it. I felt very disconnected after getting into my M6 after. Enjoy it in good health my friend!

[@Boxsterox]

I’ve owned several air cooled 911’s over the years. I recently sold my mint condition 89 G body Carrera and bought a 993. The 993 is the ultimate air cooled 911 IMO. It has all of the charm of older cars but much easier to drive. It’s the 911 I never ever want to sell. If you find yourself in Orlando and want to do a video for your channel I’ll lend you the car.

[@y0057]

I have a 993 as well, just completed a euro tour of France/ Spain via the Pyrenees and all the crazy secondary N-roads in 38-41 deg heat. Suffice to say that engine is bombproof, an incredible little wonder. I knew after 2500k miles in that temp my car is staying firmly with me for good. That engine is amazing as the car beat the roads to submission 😳❤️

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

@Boxsterox Thank you so much for the offer! I travel to Florida for work occasionally. Glad we connected via email!

[@jonwarshawsky5288]

964 is also a nice transition- less refined than the 993 but more power than the ‘86 etc

[@andyjackson5404]

I agree … 993 is the Proper choice. Looking for a wide body now to join my 992 GT3 Touring Manual in the garage. 😎😎😎

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

I loved the opening start up sequence, the engine sounds like a 1930s bi-plane… wonderful

[@JM4300]

I have an 80SC. Having an old 911 keeps you out of trouble. Your observations were spot on. Exciting, feels fast and that’s really all that matters. You get to keep your license. lol

[@ejd2901]

Great video. So many iconic old school movies with a Porsche like that

[@cyberprepper]

No Mans Land 🙂

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Thank you! Agreed… I feel like Hank Moody in Californication

[@kevinbodman1011]

​@@cyberprepperItalian Trash😅

[@jonwarshawsky5288]

Interesting to hear your take as a first time air cooled 911 driver. It does sound like the 915 gearbox syncros need attention, so you’re not getting the proper experience. But they do make you smile and raise the hair on your neck.

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Yes, I think the owner is going to address that soon - will need to drive it after the fact. Thanks for the kind words.. great cars and can’t wait to own one myself.

[@cjsawinski]

I drove a 993 on the track (my dad built it as a race car) for 3 years. That car was smooth and easy to drive. Well at least after your first lift off the throttle spin at 90mph, yes I did do that but learned my lesson real quick.

[@24hourgmtchannel64]

I just bought a 1982 SC in grand prix white and you are spot on. Your 1986 was the last year for the 915 gearbox which ran from 1974 - 1986. It's interesting that your hydraulic clutch mustang was as stiff. I want to say 1987 was the first year for the hydraulic clutch along with the G50 gearbox. I also own a 1979 928 manual and even though it's three years older, it's much easier to drive of course to be expected with power steering and brakes.

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Good feedback - thank you! Sounds like you have a good collection going yourself!

[@timmusick9875]

Great video, always interesting to get genuine impressions, and yours align with what I've experienced. I'll mention one thing you might look into, when I changed the transmission oil to Swepco synthetic gear oil it greatly improved the shifting feel on my G50 transmission. Also Bruce Anderson used to always advise never rushing a 911 shift on the 915 or the G50. Gear whine at low RPM is normal.

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Good feedback and something for me to investigate. Thank you!!

[@flat6fever680]

I'd say you nailed it. Excellent driving review!

[@I999-g2s]

Nice commentary, I enjoyed that, thank you!

[@krisdecreton4243]

Cool video! If the clutch is that heavy it might be time to replace the cable. What muffler is that you're running? Dansk 1-in 1-out?

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Good thought definitely worth investigating. I saw that you can also do a hydraulic conversion on the 915 transmission.. interesting things to look into. Not sure on the muffler, was with the car for many years and don’t have documentation on there. Definitely aftermarket

[@krisdecreton4243]

@NorthoftheWallGarage That hydraulic conversion sounds a bit drastic to me. Might be worth checking if the pedal bushes are on their last legs.

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

@@krisdecreton4243 Completely fair. Agreed.. no need to go scorched earth if a few new bushings would improve things!

[@nvarmy]

I really like your videos, probably because my views on the cars you review line up with yours.

[@absaly]

good video.... you didnt sugar coat it like fanboys ......heavy clutch, grinding gears , iffy electrics etc

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Thank you! Definitely notable drawbacks but some of it makes it a bit fun… as long as the car stays functional haha

[@50zoomie]

Sounds like this one needs pedal cluster bushings, a new clutch helper spring and maybe shifter bushings. Porsches of old were never about 0-60 times they were about handling.

[@Daniel-pc2ov]

Long island or upstate?

[@Daniel-pc2ov]

nvm near buffalo lol

[@cjsawinski]

I would bet a LOT of money that you need new shifter bushings

[@contactvp]

The 911 is the poor-man’s 928. Just calling balls and strikes.

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Haha bold and fresh I like it

[@matthewb9935]

I totally agree with you that the luxury car of that era was the 928, and I admire you having the balls to say that in public… But the “soul” of Porsche is rear or mid-engine vehicle dynamics. Cheers!

[@flat6fever680]

Liked and subbed

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Thank you!!

[@mikekoenig9950]

Your hooked

[@themk5986]

I believe its the g50 Transmissions and yah 911 air cooled have gone insane regrets lol

[@vin9114]

It's the 915 transmission. The g50 came out the following year, 1987. A much better transmission. I have an 87 Carrera. The transmission is smooth and easy.

[@themk5986]

@@vin9114 yes you are correct sorry my comment was in reference to something in the video regarding transmission and the one people preferred or something along those lines but don’t feel like re watching.

[@TeganDotson]

Крутое видео получилось

[@wescardwell1912]

Geeeeez. Had to stop watching after the first Miata comparison.

[@NorthoftheWallGarage]

Sorry I triggered you! The new MX5 is a legitimately excellent drivers car.. you should try driving one.

[@wescardwell1912]

@@NorthoftheWallGarage You wouldn’t understand

[@karstenwollweber440]

Thats driving, not being driven.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Better off with a vintage Alfa Romeo. Both the engine and transmission are smooth as butter. The 911 drives like a Tonka Truck. No thanks.