The Porsche 968, part 2

The 968's styling somewhat resembled the 928 although it looks considerably more like a blend of the Type 993 911, which did not appear until the end of the 968's production and a 944 S2. Like the 944, the 968 was sold as both a coupe and a convertible. Much of the 968's chassis was carried over from the 944S2, which in itself shared many components with the 944 Turbo (internally numbered 951). Borrowed components include the Brembo-sourced 4-piston brake calipers on all four wheels, aluminum semi-trailing arms and aluminum front A-arms, used in a Macpherson strut arrangement. The steel unibody structure was also very similar to the previous models. Porsche, however, maintained that "fully 80% of the car is new".

A street-legal race variant, dubbed Club Sport, appeared later on with a stripped-out interior including racing seats, revised suspension, and larger wheels and tyres, but was offered only in Europe. A UK-only version called 968 Sport, a Club Sport model with some comfort features added back in, was produced in 1994 and 1995. Porsche briefly produced a turbocharged version called Turbo S—15 were produced in total, and again the car was only sold in Europe. The 968 Turbo S was capable (in 1993) of 0–60 mph in 4.7 s and top speeds approaching 180 mph (290 km/h). A race variant called 968 Turbo RS was added as well; only 4 were produced.

There were approximately 2000 cabriolets and 2000 coupes imported to the United States between 1992 and 1995.

The 968 was Porsche's last new front-engined vehicle before the introduction of the Cayenne SUV in 2003. It was sold alongside the 928 GTS through 1995 when both models were dropped. As of 2006, Porsche has not yet built another front-engined sports car.

The Porsche 968 Cabriolet was featured in the 1994 film Beverly Hills Cop III starring Eddie Murphy. In the film Murphy "borrows" the car from an unsuspecting gentleman who assumed Murphy's character, Axel Foley, was a valet at the restaurant.

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The Porsche 968

The Porsche 968 was an automobile sold by Porsche AG of Germany from 1992 to 1995 and marketed as the replacement for the Porsche 944. When production ceased in the 1995 model year, it represented the end of a line started almost 20 years earlier with the introduction of the Porsche 924.

The 968 actually started development as a 944 "S3", set to replace the "S2" variant that Porsche had introduced in 1989. However, so many of the 944's components were modified or replaced entirely during development stages that Porsche chose to introduce the variant as a new model, hence the 968 nameplate. Production was moved from the VW-Audi plant in Neckarsulm (where the 924 and 944 had been manufactured under contract to Porsche), to Porsche's own factory in Zuffenhausen.

The new model was powered by an updated version of the 944's straight-4 engine, now displacing 3.0 L and producing 240 PS (236 hp/177 kW). Changes to the 968's power train also included the VarioCam variable valve timing system, newly-optimized induction and exhaust systems, a dual-mass flywheel, and updated engine management electronics. The 968's engine was the second-largest 4-cylinder ever offered in a production car, and the most powerful naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine ever sold in a production automobile up to that time. A new 6-speed manual transmission was offered, as well as a dual-mode Tiptronic automatic.

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The Porsche 959, part 6

There are many famous owners of the 959. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who owns an extensive Porsche collection, purchased one for $700,000. Microsoft founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen each own 959s, and helped pass the "Show and Display" law in order for them to be driven on American roads.

The golfer Nick Faldo unintentionally had his 959 appear in tabloid front pages in late 1998, when spurned ex-girlfriend Brenna Cepelak trashed his 959 with his golf clubs causing a £10,000 repair bill. Other famous owners include athlete Daley Thompson and former Porsche factory driver Hans Joachim Stuck.

The 959 was used as the base for several Transformers characters, including Nightbeat, Skystalker, Hot Shot, and various GoBots/Spychangers.
The 959 appears in the following computer and video games:
Turbo Out Run (1989), as the opponent. The player races a Ferrari F40 against it.
Test Drive II: The Duel (1989), also as a competitor to a Ferrari F40.
Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed (2000), downloadable from the Electronic Arts website as a bonus car.
Automobili Lamborghini (1997), as an opponent car, though it could be unlocked by completing championships.
Shox (2002), as a Dakar Rally car.
Project Gotham Racing 2 (2004)
In Top Gear Rally(1997) for the N64, a Porsche 959 can be unlocked under the game-name of "Type PS".
In Rad Mobile (1991), the in-game car and the sit-down cabinet resembles a 959.
Forza Motorsport (2005)
Forza Motorsport 2 (2007)
Wisedog/Dobermaxx, also known as Polgas, the main character in the Filipino comic Pugad Baboy, owns a customized Porsche 959, which he calls the Thunderdog.

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