When it comes to fast automobiles, Porsche sports cars are certainly among the top players in the industry. The classic Porsche 911 has long been a benchmark for performance and engineering, but although it is the brand’s most iconic model, it is by far, not the only fast model Porsche has made. Throughout the years, the German sports car manufacturer has experimented with various layouts and engine types, but the classic 911 has remained a constant.

The rear-engine model certainly took its time when it came to adopting some innovations that other companies, and other Porsche models, had already received, main of which water-cooling. But the performance was always on par if not better than anything else in the price range.

Combine that with the brand’s long and successful Motorsports record, and you can see why even classic Porsche cars are fast even by modern standards. Many consider the 1990s to be a turning point for the brand, and there are more than a few models that are a testament to that. 1990s Porsche sports cars are some of the more alluring and are now old enough to be considered classics. These here, also happen to be the fastest Porsche models of that era.

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10 1991 Porsche 944 Turbo S: 161 Mph

black 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo
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front 3/4 view of a black black 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo on a beach

From a certain point of view, the Porsche 944 is when the company decided to make the best out of a bad situation. In the mid-1970s, Porsche was co-developing a budget-friendly sports car with VW and Audi. Apparently, those two walked out on Porsche, leaving Porsche with an underpowered, front-engine coupe that wasn’t supposed to be a Porsche to begin with.

The car known as the Porsche 924, entered production and was, eventually, succeeded by the 944 - a heavily-revised 924. A Turbo S version did not arrive until 1989, with production engine in 1991. Its 2.5-liter, turbocharged inline-four packed 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet (350 Nm). Paired with a five-speed manual transaxle 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) took 5.6 seconds, on to a top speed of 161 mph (260 km/h).

9 1999 Porsche 986 Boxster S: 161 Mph

Red 1999 Porsche Boxter
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An exterior front 3/4 shot of a red Porsche Boxter parked

The Porsche Boxster was the unsung hero that staved the shadow of bankruptcy until the Cayenne SUV arrived. The entry-level sports car from Porsche was, in many ways, a spiritual successor to the 550 Spyder, as it shared many of its design features (if you look long enough). The front end as entirely shared with the Porsche 996 Carrera and much of the interior was styled similarly.

This was the first rear-mid-engine Porsche since the 914. The Boxster S came out in 1999 and packed 252 horsepower and 225 pound-feet (305 Nm) from a 3.2-liter version of the 996 Carrera’s M96 flat-six engine. When paired with a six-speed manual, 0 to 60 mph happened in 5.6 seconds, on to a top speed of 161 mph (260 km/h).

8 1991 Porsche 928 GTS: 171 Mph

The Porsche 928 is one of Porsche’s many attempts to do things more conventionally when it came to sports cars. After the original Porsche 911, the 928 is the longest-produced model, spanning from 1977 to 1995. The 928 was one of the more controversial 1990 Porsche sports car, since it was meant to replace the 911. That never happened, but the 928 was still a very successful car, at least in its early years.

It was more luxurious and comfortable than the equivalent 911, and was powered, exclusively, by Porsche-developed V-8 engines. In 1991, the range-topping 928 GTS emerged. Thanks to a 5.4-liter V-8 it offered 350 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm). Sadly, very few 928s came with the five-speed, dog-leg manual, which allowed for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 171 mph (275 km/h).

RELATED: Every Generation Of The Porsche 911

7 1993 Porsche 968 Turbo RS: 175 Mph

The Porsche 968 Turbo RS was a stripped-down, race-ready, version of the T968 Turbo S, developed by Porsche Motorsports Research and Development. The car came in two variants – an ADAC/GT specification and a less-restricted, international version that was much lighter at 2,672 pounds (1,212 kg).

The 968 Club Sport’s 3.0-liter, naturally-aspirated inline-four was turbocharged for 350 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm). A six-speed manual transaxle was the only available transmission, and with its, the 968 Turbo RS managed the sprint to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. With a drag coefficient of not-so-bad 0.36 Cd, the homologation special could reach speeds of over 175 mph (282 km/h).

6 1994 Porsche 911 (964) Turbo 3.6 S: 180 Mph

red 1993 Porsche 911 (964) Turbo
Porsche 
front 3/4 overhead view of a red 1993 Porsche 911 (964) Turbo

With so many fast classic Porsche cars, it’s no surprise that the 964 Turbo is the first road-legal 911 to breach 180 mph (290 km/h). This was exactly how fast the 964 Turbo 3.6 S could go thanks to its turbocharged flat-six engine, which as the name suggests, displaces 3.6 liters. This means 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet (520 Nm).

The 964 Turbo was still offered, exclusively, with a five-speed manual. Thanks to the massive turbo-torque and the engine hanging over the rear, 0 to 60 mph blazed by in 4.4 seconds. The Porsche 964 Turbo S is considered the last, truly old-school Porsche Turbo and one of the most desirable classic Porsche 911 models. Moreover, power went only to the rear wheels, which meant you still had the drama of the 930 “Widowmaker”.

5 1998 Porsche 911 (993) GT2 Clubsport: 187 Mph

1998 Porsche 911 (993) GT2 Clubsport
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front 3/4 view of a light-blue 1998 Porsche 911 (993) GT2 Clubsport at a classic car event

The Porsche 993 is, without a doubt, a Porsche purist’s delight. Considered by many to be the last, true 911, due to being water-cooled and riding on a version of the original 911’s chassis, the 993 is one of the most rapidly-appreciating classic Porsche 911 models, currently on the market. By far, the ultimate 993, however, is the GT2 Clubsport.

With only 20 made, this vicious, turbocharged, track weapon packs up to 450 horsepower and 432 pound-feet (585 Nm) from a 3.6-liter, turbocharged flat-six. This is the most powerful, air-cooled 911 you could drive on the road, and thanks to a six-speed manual it rockets to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Despite the aggressive aero and massive rear wing, the top speed is 187 mph (302 km/h).

RELATED: 10 Best Porsche Models You Can Still Get With A Manual Transmission

4 1997 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo S: 188 Mph

Guards Red 1995 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo
Porsche
front 3/4 view of a Guards Red 1995 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo parked in the sun

Being the last, air-cooled 911 Turbo, makes the 993 Turbo S one of the most desirable, fast classic Porsches. Unlike the 993 GT2, the 993 Turbo S retains all-wheel-drive capabilities and a full interior, allowing it to be the most versatile 993 in the 1990s Porsche 911 lineup. Normally, developing 430 horsepower and 398 pound-feet, the power-up kit, pushed the 993 Turbo S to 450 horsepower and 432 pound-feet (585 Nm).

This is identical to the 993 GT2 EVO. Paired with a six-speed manual, the powertrain allowed for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 188 mph (302 km/h). Unlike the GT2, the Turbo S did not come with aggressive aero and track-ready suspension.

3 1999 Porsche 911 (996) GT3: 188 Mph

yellow 1999 Porsche 911 (996) GT3
Porsche
side profile view of a yellow 1999 Porsche 911 (996) GT3 driving

Upon arrival, the Porsche 996 was ridiculed for being different. Eventually, its “downsides”, among which the “fried-egg” headlights, water-cooled engine, and plastic interior, became the car’s unique characteristics. Like other generations, the 996 had its fair share of high-performance versions. In the 1990s, the fastest Porsche 996 was the 911 GT3, which although naturally aspirated, could sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.4 seconds, and on to a top speed of 188 mph (302 km/h).

The GT3 still came with racetrack-optimized aerodynamics, but somehow, managed to be as fast as the outgoing 993 Turbo S. The early 996 GT3 models delivered 360 horsepower and 273 pound-feet (370 Nm) from a 3.6-liter, naturally-aspirated flat-six. This was long before the PDK, so the only available transmission was a six-speed manual.

2 1996 Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion: 191 Mph

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Silver Porsche 911 GT1 And 959
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A studio sht of the Porsche 911 GT1 and 959

One of the greatest 1990 Porsche sports cars was built when the German carmaker wanted to enter the FIA GT1 racing series. Regulations stipulated that 25 road-legal variants needed to be built and sold to the public, for homologation purposes. Enter the Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion (Street version). The low-slung, mid-engine Porsche was, literally, a race car for the road.

The first to prototypes featured 993-style head lamps while the later cars featured the 996’s “fried-egg” headlights. Power came from a 3.2-liter, twin-turbo flat-six that was based on the M96 unit. In order to pass European emissions regulations, the engine was de-tuned to 536 horsepower and 443 pound-feet (600 Nm). With a six-speed manual sending power to the rear, 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) took 3.7 seconds, on to a top speed of 191 mph (308 km/h).

RELATED: 10 Greatest Porsche 911 Sports Cars Of All Time

1 1998 Porsche 911 GT1-98: 205 Mph

The Porsche 911 GT1 had the unenviable task of racing against giants like Gordon Murray’s McLaren F1 GTR and the Mercedes CLK GTR. You normally wouldn’t peg the 911 GT1 as a classic Porsche 911, but even the GT1-98 is now 25 years old. Initially, it wasn’t road-legal, but now, apparently you can put a plate on one. Like earlier 911 GT1 models, power came from a 3.2-liter, twin-turbo flat-six.

In some setups, power is said to be over 600 horsepower, but generally, 550 horsepower is considered the official power figure. Peak torque is set at 465 pound-feet (630 Nm) – a slight bump from the Street version. The GT1-98’s bigger advantage lies in its weight – just 2,094 pounds (950 kg). In lower downforce trim, the 911 GT1-98 could reach 205 mph (330 km/h), making it the fastest Porsche of the 1990s.