Discover the Porsche 911's Forbidden Fruit: The Unique Four-Door Version You Never Knew Existed

The Porsche 911, a symbol of supreme engineering and the epitome of sports car evolution, marked its 60th anniversary with a treasure trove of models. Yet, amidst its illustrious lineage lies a peculiar variant that defies the conventions of its dynasty—a four-door Porsche 911, a mythical creation that whispers the tale of innovation, luxury, and exclusivity.

Hidden within the prestigious walls of the Petersen Automotive Museum, this unique 911S beacons as the only four-door model of its kind, commissioned by the visionary William Dick, a notable car dealer with a penchant for the extraordinary. Dick's craving for a practical yet luxurious family sports car led him to embark on a journey across Europe, eventually collaborating with Troutman and Barnes, the US-based coachbuilders, to bring his dream to reality.

The four-door 911 underwent a transformation that saw its roof elongated by 21 inches and its wheelbase stretched to 108 inches—yielding a car that not only preserved the Porsche essence but also redefined it. The rear doors, borrowed from another 911 and ingeniously fitted backward, featured rear-hinged doors reminiscent of a Lincoln Continental, endowing the car with a touch of classic charm.

The narrative of this unique creation unfolds further as we learn of its completion in August 1967, after eight long months of meticulous craftsmanship. Dick's attention to detail led to the incorporation of new Fuchs wheels, the Sportomatic transmission, and a striking green exterior. The car, a Christmas present to his wife, was a masterpiece with an estimated conversion cost equivalent to $184,000 in today's currency, eclipsing the price of luxury contemporaries of its era.

Step inside the four-door 911, and you are greeted by an interior swathed in luxurious leather, dyed brown to match a pair of shoes, and adorned with elegant walnut inlays—a testament to the car's bespoke nature. The rear passengers enjoyed the convenience of power-operated windows, a rarity in the '60s, facilitated by the innovation of using motors from Porsche's electric sunroof.

This remarkable build not only showcased Dick's wealth and taste but also his hope to inspire Porsche to venture into the four-door sports car market—a vision that did not materialize until the debut of the Cayenne SUV and later, the Panamera. While the Panamera carved its own niche in the brand's legacy, it lacked the novel suicide doors that made the four-door 911 truly exceptional.

In the grand tapestry of Porsche's history, this four-door 911 stands not as a mere footnote but as a bold declaration of avant-garde thinking and the endless possibilities of automotive design. It's a story of ambition, of a car that dared to stretch the boundaries of tradition, and of a dream that, although never replicated, remains a testament to the allure of what could have been in the Porsche saga.