1966 Porsche 911 S

Engine: 1991 cc, air-cooled horizontally flat six
Power: 160.0 bhp @ 6,600 rpm
Torque: 132.0 ft lbs @ 5,200 rpm
Weight: 1,073 kg (2,365 lbs)
0-60 mph: 7.4 sec (est)
Top Speed: 141 mph

The 911 S was introduced to increase the performance potential of the very successful 911. It had a more powerful engine along with a number of chassis enhancements that made it very desirable. The 1966 2.0 S was the first high performance 911 variant and it came just two years after the first 911 was sold to customers.

The changes were significant. The engine got a higher compression ratio, new camshafts, bigger valves and ports, Weber 40 IDS carburetors (instead of IDA) and a revised exhaust system. Thanks to a nitrided crankshaft and forged pistons it was also a much stronger unit. Power and torques jumped with the potent upgrades delivering 160 hp at 6,600 rpm and 132 lb/ft at 5,200 rpm (compared with the standard car’s 130 hp at 6,100rpm and 129 lb/ft at 4200rpm),. May not sound like much on paper but the ew engine was a screamer and people noticed.

In terms of looks the new S model was not that different. With the exception of the now famous Fuchs forged alloy wheels (all-silver as opposed to the more well-known silver-on-black) it was just another basic 911 looking machine.

Here’s the thing though. Despite the same looks as the base 911, the S was so much more fun to drive. It is screaming with feedback, an exciting mechanical machine that you cannot find in today’s day and age, and it is utterly addictive.

Exciting is right word for the handling. It has a combination of sharp, hyper-detailed steering, negligible weight over the nose, a very short wheelbase and all that weight beyond the rear axle means that even with the slightest twitch of the wheel I sense, with some trepidation, the car developing a tail-led slip angle. It wants to oversteer, wants to be bent out of shape into a corner and powered through on the throttle.

This power with just over a tonne in weight coupled with short gearing and the 2.0 S is genuinely rapid. The engine zips through the revs, then pulls with real vigor at the top end. The 911 2.0 S was good for 0 – 60 mph in 7.4 sec (back in 1966). Even today with all the instant torque available in a Tesla 3 the 911 2.0 S is still the one I would choose, it just has so much character and presence.

The two-liter just loves to rev. It has an old school edge to it for sure, but man I could listen to this engine all day long and never tire of its sound. It’s always very loud, and gets even louder when you use the throttle and pile on the revs. There is something to that makes this car so special.

Specs & Performance

Model	1966 Porsche 911 S
type	Series Production Car
built at	Germany
price $	$7,074 USD
engine	Flat 6
valve train	SOHC
displacement	1991 cc / 121.5 in³
bore	80.0 mm / 3.15 in
stroke	66.0 mm / 2.6 in
compression	9.8:1
power	160.0 bhp @ 6600 rpm
specific output	90.41 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	167.75 bhp per tonne
torque	195.2 nm / 144.0 ft lbs @ 5200 rpm
body / frame	Unit Steel
driven wheels	Rear Engine / RWD
front tires	165 HR 15
rear tires	165 HR 15
front brakes	Vented Discs
front wheels	F 38.1 x 11.4 cm / 15.0 x 4.5 in
rear wheels	R 38.1 x 11.4 cm / 15.0 x 4.5 in
steering	Rack & Pinion
curb weight	1073 kg / 2365 lbs
wheelbase	2210 mm / 87.0 in
front track	1356 mm / 53.4 in
rear track	1326 mm / 52.2 in
length	4163 mm / 163.9 in
width	1610 mm / 63.4 in
height	1321 mm / 52.0 in
transmission	5-Speed Manual
gear ratios	3.09:1, 1.89:1, 1.32:1, 1.04:1, 0.79:1
final drive	4.43:1
top speed	~226.9 kph / 141.0 mph
0 – 60 mph	~7.4 seconds
0 – 100 mph	~20.0 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile	~15.7 seconds

Videos

There were quite a few videos of the 1966 911 S but we settled on our three favorites below. One is a vintage review, the other is an in depth piece with Magnus Walker and his mint ’66 in Irish Green. The final video is lots of sounds and driving in a slate grey 911S.