Carrera 3.0: the forgotten 911

The short-lived Carrera 3.0 might just be the most significant 911 that nobody knows about. Total 911 studies its backstory…

Written by Kyle Fortune

Photography courtesy Simon Jessop

The curiosities of the 911 are almost infinite. No other car is so obsessively detailed in its history, so loved by enthusiasts and praised by experts. Now in its 61st year of production, and with over a million constructed, Porsche’s rear-engined oddity is without doubt a motoring icon. It defines the company to this day, and remains the benchmark for any rival manufacturer intent on taking on Porsche’s sports car. Whole publications exist because of it. Communities thrive on it. The 911 really does transcend the mere definition of ‘car’.

Naturally, within the 911’s history there are models that receive more acclaim than others. More often than not, these cars are defined by motorsport success, a seismic technical change, or shear proliferation and longevity. Others are relegated to supporting roles, sometimes overlooked or – dare we say it – forgotten about. If there’s one 911 variant that falls into this final category it’s the Carrera 3.0. This model has become something of an enigmatic footnote in the 911’s lengthy and varied narrative.

Puzzlingly, the Carrera 3.0 (or Carrera 3) has acquired this reputation despite the car meeting a lot of the criteria that would otherwise mark it out as distinct and interesting. Not least is the fact that it’s relatively rare, with the most commonly quoted production number – and the one in Total 911’s Data File – suggesting that 3,687 were built. That number is apparently split roughly into two-thirds Coupe (with 2,564) and one-third Targa (1,123). The majority are manuals that use the 915 gearbox, with either four- or, optionally, five-speeds. A little in excess of 400 would also be ordered with Porsche’s two-pedal, three-speed semi-automatic Sportomatic transmission, which was a no-cost option according to Porsche UK’s 1977 price list.