What is a Sportomatic Porsche 911?

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Porsche's Sportomatic gearbox was the first semi-automatic gearbox used in a 911. Its design allowed the driver to change gears with a traditional shifter, while removing the need for a clutch pedal. How does it work, and what's it like to drive? We find out with a test drive of a Porsche 911 with 3-speed Sportomatic gearbox.
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[@jonwarshawsky5288]

Thank you! I’m disabled (left leg) so currently drive a 964 with Tiptronic, which is a phenomenal car and for me was the only way I could drive a classic 911. I’m actively looking for a Sportomatic long hood 911 here in Southern California, so your test drive was extremely relevant for me - really hard to find these cars.

[@henkjaegerde7591]

Nice. Happy hunting.

[@9WERKSTV]

Happy hunting, Jon! It's a fun gearbox and a cool piece of Porsche history. Wishing you many happy miles ahead.

[@OliverHagger]

Very informative video, such a cool car and for someone who can’t or doesn’t prefer a manual shift it’s just perfect. thanks Lee and the team at Paragon of course.

[@garydixon8097]

I had a 1968 911 Targa with a glass rear window and a Sportomatic in Sea Foam Green with Recaro Sport Seats. Drove very well and I won a number of Concours events with it. I can share a picture if you'd like.

[@shughes911]

So cool! Never knew we about it!

[@rogerwatt8491]

The 1976 Carrera 3.0 I owned back in the 1980s was a Sportomatic . . . it was special order Ice Green Metallic with the complete "matt black" look and I loved it. That said, I loved the 1978 SC Sport that replaced it (which was the same Minerva Blue Metallic as the car you're driving in the video) even more!

[@NZotyoka81]

The reason why it has sold more here in Europe because it’s still too complicated for most American drivers. I already heard about the sportmatic transmission but haven’t seen it in work. Thanks for the video.

[@andrewwebber5910]

Really interesting - I had never heard of a sportomatic until now, thanks. :)

[@TobyD]

Love this video Lee. Saw the car at Paragon yesterday and it’s a minter. I was curious how it drives - now I know 😊

[@JoJoJoker]

Sportomatic is awesome. Porsche planned to use it on the 964 platform before moving to Tiptronic. It would’ve been nice to have this tech through the 997.1. There was a magazine article a few years back comparing Sporto, Tip, & PDK. Sporto was also their favorite.

[@kevinneary2283]

My first 911 was a 74 2.7 sportsmatic purchased 2nd hand . When I picked up ,on the journey home I sat at a roundabout in the rain going nowhere thinking I been sold a dud I was holding the gearstick as I normally drove this way finally remembered how to drive it . I do remember driving it more like a manual changing gear regularly must have been 4 speed. The gearbox was good . Very clever I thought. The big problem was the rust never stopped coming!!

[@6rimR3ap3r]

Wasn't Vic Elford a big advocate of the Sportomatic?

[@charleswhitfield8915]

As every - a very practical video and review of some classic p cars

[@mattdedasc]

Very interesting. I like the idea better than the Tiptronic

[@JoJoJoker]

Yes! Best of both worlds. Porsche could’ve really perfected this technology.

[@samulis8275]

Can you start the car on P as normal automatic? Or does it have to be on neutral?

[@christianpratt]

What a lovely car! So - essentially, it’s a two speed car that drives on its torque (capacity) and revs?

[@9WERKSTV]

Yes!

[@rogerwatt8491]

@@9WERKSTV Three speed actually. Well, my Carrera 3.0 Sporto was.

[@christianpratt]

@@9WERKSTV Who knew! 😀👍