Long before the Panamera redefined the luxury sports sedan market, the original four-door Porsche was a custom 1967 Porsche 911 S commissioned by a Texas-based dealer. William Dick wanted to gift his wife a practical, four-door version of the iconic sports car, but Porsche officially refused the request. This historical anomaly offers automotive enthusiasts and Porsche purists a fascinating look at the early, untapped demand for a family-friendly sports car, proving that the concept behind today's highly successful Panamera and Taycan existed decades ago.
Undeterred by the factory's rejection, Dick enlisted the expertise of California-based fabricators Troutman and Barnes. The team took a standard two-door 911 S, cut it in half, and welded in custom sheet metal to stretch the chassis. They ingeniously integrated a second pair of factory 911 doors at the rear, mounting them in a rear-hinged "suicide-style" configuration to provide access to a surprisingly spacious rear cabin.
The customization extended to the cabin, where the interior leather was dye-matched by the factory to a pair of Dick's own shoes, with the final upholstery crafted by renowned specialist Tony Nancy. Underneath the elongated, egg-like body, the car retained its potent factory specifications. The 2.0-liter flat-six engine delivered 180 horsepower through a five-speed manual gearbox.
In its original lightweight 2,271-pound form, the 911 S could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of 15.6 seconds at 90 mph. While the added weight of the four-door conversion likely altered those performance figures slightly, the vehicle remained a true Porsche at heart, with its entire engine still sitting behind the rear wheels.
Porsche's Evolution Toward the Four-Door Market
While the 1967 custom build remained a one-of-one creation, Porsche eventually began exploring the four-door segment internally. In the late 1980s, the company developed a four-door Porsche 928 concept, which was ultimately scrapped. This was followed by the 1989 Porsche 989 concept, a vehicle that heavily influenced the styling of the 996-generation 911 and featured a naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V8 producing 350 horsepower before its cancellation in 1992.
During the 1990s, Porsche lent its engineering prowess to other German automakers to create legendary performance sedans and wagons. The 1990 Mercedes-Benz 500E featured bodywork, engine, and chassis tuning by Porsche, with each unit taking 18 days to build as it was transported back and forth between Porsche's Zuffenhausen facility and Mercedes' Sindelfingen plant. Similarly, the 1994 Audi RS2 Avant combined an Audi body with Porsche-engineered brakes, wheels, and engine components.
These collaborative efforts and internal concepts finally culminated in the debut of the Porsche Panamera in 2010. Now in its 976 generation, which debuted in 2023, the Panamera proved that a stretched Porsche aesthetic could comfortably fit four adults while maintaining thrilling driving dynamics.
My Take
The story of William Dick's 1967 four-door 911 S perfectly illustrates how consumer vision often outpaces manufacturer willingness. Porsche's initial refusal to build a sedan makes sense given their strict focus on lightweight sports cars at the time, but the fact that a dealer went to such extreme lengths to build one highlights a massive, ignored market segment. Today, four-door vehicles like the Panamera, Macan, Cayenne, and the all-electric Taycan are the financial backbone of the company. This 1967 custom build wasn't just a quirky gift; it was a highly accurate market prediction that took Porsche over four decades to fully capitalize on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the first four-door Porsche 911?
The first four-door Porsche 911 was a custom 1967 911 S commissioned by Texas dealer William Dick and built by California fabricators Troutman and Barnes.
Did Porsche ever build a four-door 911 concept?
While Porsche never built a production four-door 911, they did create the 989 concept in 1989, which featured a 350-horsepower V8, and a four-door 928 concept in the late 1980s.
What was Porsche's role in the Mercedes-Benz 500E?
Porsche co-developed the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 500E, contributing to the bodywork, engine tuning, and chassis tuning. The cars were partially assembled at Porsche's Zuffenhausen facility.