Like anything in life, success depended on preparation. Planning has never been my strong suit, but this time there was no room for shortcuts. The contenders list was scrutinized repeatedly. Hours were spent on video calls, studying Google Maps and, in a moment of reluctant necessity, trawling motorcycle forums to validate promising driving routes.
None of it felt like work. The reward promised to be something extraordinary: three days in Germany’s Black Forest with six of the most exhilarating Porsche 911s ever built. The objective was as ambitious as it was simple—to identify the greatest 911 of all time, a verdict that would form the centerpiece of both a major Top Gear YouTube feature and an extensive magazine cover story.
Why certain icons missed the cut
The shortlist evolved over several weeks before a clear philosophy emerged. This would be a search for the 911 in its purest form. Everyday usability and practicality were deliberately set aside in favor of responsiveness, excitement and the unique appeal of compact, lightweight, driver-focused machines on exceptional roads.
It was an approach that reflected the essence of the Porsche 911. For more than six decades, the model has consistently stripped away the unnecessary in pursuit of motorsport success and driving purity. Our selection process would follow the same principle.
That inevitably meant leaving out some celebrated models. There would be no place for the 911 Turbo, while standard Carrera variants—despite their enduring appeal—also fell outside the brief. More painful still was the omission of several exceptional cars that met almost every requirement: the outstanding 3.2 Clubsport, the uncompromising 993 GT (better known as the GT2) and the focused 996 GT3 RS, among others. Given the choice, I would happily have taken 20 cars to the Black Forest, but practicality had to prevail.
The finalists: Pure driving machines from six decades
The final lineup, however, left little to lament. The Carrera RS 2.7 was an automatic inclusion. Equally essential was the 964 RS, whose lightweight construction, stripped-back specification and deletion of power steering made it an irresistible choice, especially given its close ties to Porsche’s fledgling Cup racing series.
While my heart favored the 993 GT, its naturally aspirated counterpart ultimately proved the more appropriate fit for the demanding Black Forest roads. The 993 Carrera RS Clubsport has long been regarded as one of the finest 911s ever built and fully deserved its place.
Selecting representatives from the water-cooled era proved even more challenging. The 996 GT3 RS came close, but the extraordinary capabilities of the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 ultimately secured its position. Perhaps more controversial was the inclusion of the 991 GT2 RS, chosen ahead of several GT3 variants and even the revered 911 R. It remains a ferociously capable machine and a decision we stand by.
Completing the field was the 992 S/T, selected to represent Porsche’s latest generation of GT cars—models that still draw heavily from motorsport engineering while placing renewed emphasis on driver engagement on public roads rather than outright lap times. From the moment it was launched, the S/T was widely regarded as an instant classic. Whether it deserved to be considered the greatest would soon become clear.
Significant credit belongs to Porsche Cars Great Britain’s press office and the Porsche Museum for making the project possible. Coordinating the test required transport trucks, technical support crews on site—though, predictably, the mechanics were never called into action—and access to a closely guarded storage facility in the Stuttgart area, where the cars were personally selected.
The facility itself is remarkable. Watching the accompanying video offers only a glimpse of what lies inside, from Le Mans-winning 956 race cars and obscure prototypes—including a 928 Shooting Brake—to landmark concept cars and some of the rarest production Porsches ever built. For enthusiasts, it is difficult to imagine a more compelling collection.
Perfect conditions in the Black Forest
The setting proved every bit as impressive as the cars. The weather was flawless, the roads surpassed expectations and each of the six finalists delivered an unforgettable driving experience. Adding further credibility to the test was the presence of former Le Mans class winner and current Porsche development driver Jörg Bergmeister, who joined the team for both the driving evaluation and the photography and video production.
Bergmeister’s enthusiasm was impossible to miss. Free of ego and genuinely excited by the opportunity, he was eager to immerse himself in the collection of 911s assembled for the occasion. He left home at 05:00 to join us for breakfast by 07:30 before facing another 500-kilometre drive later that evening for a separate commitment.
When he first saw the cars lined up together beneath the hotel’s covered garage, his reaction said everything. “This is really cool,” he said. “I can’t believe we’re going to drive them all back-to-back. This is perfect.”
And the winner is…
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