The Genesis of a Four-Door Porsche

The story of the four-door Porsche begins not in Stuttgart, but in Texas, where dealer William Dick had a vision in 1967. He wanted to create a four-door variant of the beloved 911 S, aiming to demonstrate that Porsche could produce a family-friendly sports sedan without losing its performance edge. Given that Porsche traditionally favored two-door designs, Dick’s request was unconventional and ultimately rejected by the manufacturer.

Undeterred, Dick turned to California-based fabricators Troutman and Barnes. They executed his bold idea by cutting a 911 S in half and welding in sheet metal to extend its wheelbase. This custom build not only incorporated rear-hinged “suicide-style” doors but also retained the sleek aesthetics of the 911, albeit in a more elongated, egg-like form.

Technical Specs and Performance

The modified 911 S was powered by a 2.0-liter flat-six engine, generating 180 horsepower. With a five-speed manual transmission and weighing just 2,271 pounds, it achieved a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds, according to tests by Car and Driver. This performance was impressive for a four-door vehicle at the time, proving that practicality and speed could coexist.

The interior was customized with leather dyed to match a pair of shoes owned by Dick’s wife, showcasing the personal touch that went into this unique build. Currently, this one-of-a-kind creation resides at the Petersen Automotive Museum, serving as a testament to Porsche’s early flirtation with four-door designs long before the Panamera became a reality.

Porsche’s Evolution in the Sedan Market

Porsche’s journey into the sedan market saw a series of innovative yet ultimately scrapped concepts. The 1989 989 concept, featuring a 4.5-liter V8 engine producing 350 horsepower, was canceled in 1992. Similarly, a four-door 928 concept reached the design phase in the late ’80s but never saw production.

However, Porsche’s engineering prowess was evident in collaborations with established brands. The Mercedes-Benz 500E, for instance, benefited from Porsche’s expertise in bodywork and chassis tuning, requiring 18 days for each unit’s production, split between both companies. Furthermore, the 1994 Audi RS2 Avant showcased Porsche’s engineering in the automotive landscape, solidifying its role beyond just sports cars.

The Modern Panamera: A New Era

Fast forward to 2010, when Porsche finally launched the Panamera, marking its first mass-market four-door sports sedan. The latest iteration, the 2026 Panamera, offers a range of options with horsepower between 400 and 500, depending on the engine choice. Starting at $108,550, the Panamera lineup includes various trims, including the performance-oriented GTS.

With features like a new Porsche App Center and enhanced Amazon Alexa integration, the Panamera reflects modern automotive trends while maintaining Porsche’s commitment to performance. Its longevity, now in its third generation, illustrates the success of Porsche’s sedan strategy, further complemented by the electric Taycan sedan introduced in 2020.

Why the 1967 Build Matters

The 1967 William Dick four-door 911 S serves as an early example of customer-driven design validation. It challenged Porsche’s traditional approach to sports cars by proving that a four-door configuration could work, paving the way for future endeavors. Dick’s initiative highlights how market demands can spur innovation, often originating outside the manufacturer.

This custom build also set a precedent for Porsche’s later collaborations with other automakers, such as Mercedes and Audi, where external engineering partnerships explored the viability of sedan designs before committing to production. The eventual success of the Panamera validates this original concept, demonstrating that Porsche’s performance DNA can extend beyond two-door configurations.