How to tell between the LWB and SWB

[Mr912]

Just wondering how to id each car, apart from the obvious! What are the differences? And also why where two made ? Is one rarer then the other ?

Sorry for all the Qs!

[SeanP]

Sen rarer as not made as long and in great numbers. Typical signs, opening quarter lights, wheel arches not flared, grills on front wings , door handles, dash speaker grill, seat belt mounts. The list goes on

Sean

[210bhp]

The lwb models began in 1969 as a development from the swb which were the original design from 1963 prototypes through to 1968. The lengthened wheelbase was a change to improve handling. Previously the factory had realised the shortcomings of the swb handling (which of course we now all love with the addition of modern tyre technology) by various tweaks including fitting two pig iron weights into both inner corners of the front spoiler. The swb (in Rhd) are rarer than lwb and the best way of checking (from a distance) which is which is by the front quarter light windows. Opening in swb, fixed in lwb with one or two exceptions.

Regards
Mike

[Lightweight_911]

In terms of the 912 models, the lwb model was rarer than the swb models since it was only made for one year* (1969).

I don't know what the relative numbers were for RHD 912's though.


* assuming you ignore the 1976 impact bumper model (with 914-type 2.0 engine)

[Timo]

Are we talking about 912 here or all 901 cars?

If just 912 I would say lwb are rarer surely? Only made for 1 year vs 4 years for swb.

If comparing all 901 cars then yes swb is definitely rarer.

[Mr912]

Thanks guys, so mine must be swb as it has the front quarter opening windows ?

[neilbardsley]

Here is a list from pelican but really if you are wondering if you have a lwb v swb measure it or look up the vin in the 912 registry.

"Let's not forget that the demonic handling of the SWB 911 in the early years was associated with 165/15 Firestone Phoenix Tires. It's amazing what wider, modern compound tires can accomplish.

That said, "unsafe at any speed" was published around that time and the factory took advantage of the time-honored maxim of Torts that "evidence of subsequent remedial measures is not admissible to prove defects of design in products liability cases." Hence:

Cast-iron weights in the front bumper (1966)
Wider track (1968)
Front suspension that was actually adjustable (late 1965)
Revised alignment settings (1966)
Revised springplate bushings (1967)
Revised front crossmember and A-arms (1968)
Larger front antiroll bar (increased from 13mm pencil bar) (1967)
Fuchs wheels for less unsprung weight vs. steel wheels (1967)
Rear antiroll bar (196?)

Finally they gave up in 1969 and ended up with:

Flared fenders for wider tires (185/15)
Longer wheelbase
Dual batteries way up front and outboard (there is NO electrical reason for this, it's a weight thing)
Revised front suspension design (different balljoints and crossmember)

That didn't solve it, in 1974 they went to enormous aluminum bumpers and a single battery
1989 coil spring suspension and radically different suspension design
1995 even more radically different suspension design
1999 end of original 901 design. New 996 design debuts with engine in same location!"

[mycar]

A good clue to help distinguish between the SWB and the LWB cars is the position of the circular torsion bar cover witch sits just ahead of the rear wheel.

On the short wheelbase car the cap is pushed up almost against the wheel arch but on the long wheelbase car there is almost 3 inches of bodywork before you get to the wheel arch.

Porsche extended the wheelbase by 57mm and I reckon that's where they put it.

[desert rat]

Production of 912's excluding 76 MY
SWB
1966 MY 11,130
1967 MY 7,249
1968 MY 7,242
LWB
1969 MY 4,679

[smallspeed]

A good clue to help distinguish between the SWB and the LWB cars is the position of the circular torsion bar cover witch sits just ahead of the rear wheel.

On the short wheelbase car the cap is pushed up almost against the wheel arch but on the long wheelbase car there is almost 3 inches of bodywork before you get to the wheel arch.

Porsche extended the wheelbase by 57mm and I reckon that's where they put it.

I assume the rear arms are longer on a LWB car as well, to increase the length of the rear arms and help with change of camber/toe during cornering?

[Mr912]

Well according to the dust cover swb it is for me then !