history of the 911 Cabriolet

1981 First 911 Cabriolet study shown at IAA in Frankfurt

An all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo Cabriolet was designed and built to gauge customer interest at a major exhibition. The model attracted enough attention to prompt Porsche to take the next step… In 1982, at the Geneva Motor Show, the company unveiled a 911 Cabriolet based on the SC.

1984 onwards Colour & Tonneau cover

As with the 3.2 Carrera Cabriolet, a selection of convertible top colours was made available, including black, blue and brown. Optional equipment for the roof included a large, matching-colour Tonneau cover.

1988 930 Cabriolet introduced

In 1988 the 930 Turbo Cabriolet was added to the range. The result was that the 911 range now comprised six models. The Cabriolets (Turbo and Carrera) were also better specified than the other models.

1989 First all-wheel-drive production 911 Cabriolet

All-wheel drive was introduced to the 911 range with the 964, which meant the Cabriolet was offered in Carrera 4 guise too. As with the previous range, a Turbo-look Cabriolet was offered with pronounced wider rear wheel arches.

1994 993 Cabriolet introduced

Six months after the 993 became available, Porsche offered the Cabriolet. However, although the roof could be actuated while the engine was running, the parking brake had to be up to make sure the car did not move.

1998 Remote control for the roof operation

Launch of the first water-cooled 911 (996) Cabriolet. For the first time (although not for all markets), the roof action could be started by a button on the ignition key fob. A removable hard top, which weighed 33kg, was included in the base price of the car.

2000 heated rear screen available

Porsche marked the turn of the millennium by offering a glass rear screen as standard for all 911 Cabriolets, marking an end for the plastic screen that was used right up until MY1999 996 Cabriolets.

2004 powerful Turbo and Turbo s models

Both these models became available in Cabriolet guise. The 3.6-litre S engine developed 450bhp at 7,500rpm and 620Nm from 3,500rpm. All the S models were fitted with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB).

2013 perfect Cabriolet profile

For the first time, Porsche’s designers and engineers achieved a 911 Cabriolet with a profile that is virtually identical to that of the Coupe.