Porsche

Porsche is a German manufacturer of sports cars, founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, who is also credited as the designer of the first Volkswagen. The company is based in Zuffenhausen, near Stuttgart. If there is one brand inextricably linked to speed, engineering, and design, it is Porsche.

The German brand has built a reputation that is unparalleled. What began with the iconic Porsche 356 grew into an impressive line of sports cars that have proven themselves both on the road and on the track. With models like the legendary 911, Porsche consistently managed to strike the right balance between innovation and tradition. Today, classic Porsches are loved not only for their performance but also for their character and collector's value.

Porsche Factory in Zuffenhausen Stuttgart

History of Porsche

Seventeen years before the car brand was founded, in 1931, Ferdinand Porsche established an engineering firm under the name 'Dr. Ing. hc F. Porsche Gesellschaft'. It was a small company that advised other enterprises on engine development, but also manufactured them itself. At the request of AutoUnie, the company developed a 16-cylinder racing car in 1933. The design of this mid-engined car was so overwhelmingly well received that Ferdinand Porsche received a commission from the then Zündapp and NSU to design an affordable compact car for the people, a 'Volkswagen'. Various prototypes were built, but it was Adolf Hitler who, in 1934, ordered Ferdinand to actually build the “Kraft durch Freude” car (car for the people) for the masses.

A factory in Fallersleben (now Wolfsburg) was specially built for this purpose. The first Volkswagen Type 1 – better known as the 'Beetle' – rolled off the assembly line in 1940. From that period to the present day, the brand has been closely associated with Volkswagen, but has also collaborated with brands such as SEAT, Lada, Subaru, Daewoo, and Studebaker. The Second World War broke out, and the German car manufacturer was forced to produce vehicles for military purposes – such as the Kübelwagen and the Maus tank. After the war, the technical office Dr. Ing. hc F. Porsche Gesellschaft – based in Gmünd, Austria, during the war – attempted to re-establish itself in the automotive sector, but this proved difficult. The brand received orders primarily from the agricultural world to develop parts for tractors.

In the summer of 1947, Ferdinand, together with his son Ferry, developed a two-seater roadster based on the Volkswagen Beetle. Exactly one year later, the new creation, the Porsche 356 'No. 1' took part in the Innsbruck City Race, which it immediately managed to win. Not long after, the brand produced the second series of the 356. The father was very satisfied with his son's result. “I would not have changed a single screw,” were the founder's words of praise. In 1949, the company moved back to Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen to continue production of the 356 there. Two years later, Ferdinand Porsche passed away at the age of 76. His son continued with the realization of his dream.

Porsche 356

Ferry Porsche

In the mid-50s, Ferry realized that the brand had far more potential than it had demonstrated so far. He wanted to build a new sports car—based on the fundamental principles of the 356—that performed even better, but could also be used daily. In any case, the air-cooled boxer engine from the Porsche 356 had to return in this new sports car. And the interior had to be more spacious, as well as the trunk space. From 1962—under the project name '901'—a new sports car was developed at breakneck speed. The grandson of founder Ferdinand Porsche, Ferdinand Alexander, drew the lines. During the IAA in Frankfurt (1963), Porsche introduced the first 901 ready for public roads. After various test sessions, the first 901s rolled off the assembly line on September 12, 1964—a month after the production model of the 901 was shown at the Paris Motor Show. The French company Peugeot had meanwhile complained to Porsche about the model name 901. According to Peugeot, they held the rights to this three-digit combination with the '0' in the middle. By then, 49 examples of the 901 had already been manufactured. Ferry Porsche decided to rename the 901 to 911. Three digits that became legendary.

Ferdinand-Alexander Porsche

In addition to producing street models, participation in motorsport has perhaps been the source of the brand image. Porsche has been highly successful in various branches of motorsport, with more than 28.000 victories. Between 1906 and 1977, Porsche achieved eleven victories in the world's oldest race, the Targa Florio in Sicily. Porsche won the 24 Hours of Le Mans sixteen times. A magnificent achievement that no other car brand has equaled to this day.

Paris-Dakar, Formula 1 and Le Mans

The brand also braved the top step of the podium at the Paris-Dakar Rally twice. The brand has been active in Formula 1 with varying degrees of success. In the seasons from 1958 to 1964, they managed to win one Grand Prix, the French Grand Prix in 1962. After nearly two decades, from 1983 to 1986, Porsche returned to Formula 1. During these seasons, Porsche built engines under the label Techniques d´Avant Garde (TAG) for the McLaren team. With this, the brand secured three Constructors' titles in 1984, 1985, and 1986. After a number of years out of Formula 1, Porsche made another attempt as an engine supplier in 1991. However, this did not go as expected. The Formula 1 cars powered by Porsche engines failed to score a single point throughout the entire season. They did not even manage to qualify for half of the races. Since then, Porsche has never again participated in Formula 1.

1964 Porsche 911

The 911 became an unprecedented success, partly due to its excellent driving characteristics and distinctive design. In the years starting in 1964, a wide variety of variants of the Porsche 911 followed, as well as various racing cars. Some highlights included the 912, a cheaper variant of the 911 featuring the four-cylinder engine from the 356 and a simpler interior. The famous 911 Targa – a variant of the convertible – was introduced in 1965. In 1974, Porsche presented the 911 Turbo at the Paris Motor Show, a sports car with serious performance. In 1985, the German automaker reached a milestone in 911 history with the 959.

Initially intended to compete in Group B of rallying, Porsche also used the 959 to conduct research into an entirely new four-wheel drive system. In addition to winning the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1986, the Porsche 959 was also the first car with a six-speed gearbox. The 959 subsequently formed the basis of an entirely new Porsche era.

Carrera 2, Carrera 4, Carrera GTS

The models and names can be quite confusing for a layperson. It might be helpful to shed some light on the matter. The Porsche model, for example, is a 911, but it is also called a 964 (that is the internal designation used to identify the type of 911 you are referring to).

In addition, there is Carrera, a name the brand first used in 1955 to commemorate a class victory in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana. Carrera is Spanish for “race”.

And then there is often a '2', '4', or 'GTS' after it. This stands for 'rear-wheel drive', 'four-wheel drive', and 'Grand Tourismo Sport', respectively.

Carrera 4

Although the 911 model attracted the most attention over the past sixty years, we should not overlook other models produced by the brand. While these models may not have lasted for two-thirds of Porsche's sixty-year existence, they are at least partly responsible for the immense success the brand enjoys today as one of the most profitable car manufacturers in the world. We recall, for instance, the Porsche 550 Spyder (1953), the Volkswagen-Porsche 'VoPo' 914 from 1969, and the first model with a front-mounted engine, the 924 (1975). The latter ensured that the car manufacturer scrambled out of the financial crisis it was facing.

A new variant of the 911 was launched in 1982: the 911 SC Cabriolet. A year earlier, Porsche launched the 944, the successor to the 924. Not to be forgotten is the 928, a sports car with a front-mounted V8 engine. Initially, this was intended to replace the 911, but that never materialized. It is noteworthy, however, that a sports car like the 928 was voted 'Car of the Year' in 1977.

Strong revival in the nineties

In 1993, Wendelin Wiedeking took the helm of the company as CEO. At the time, Porsche was still struggling, and it was Wiedeking's task to help Porsche get back on its feet. He succeeded. And how. Thanks to efficient production methods and successful models such as the Porsche Boxster (1993) and the third model, the Cayenne (2002), Porsche managed to build an indelible image. The Carrera GT hypercar – manufactured in a limited run of 1.270 units between 2004 and 2005 – gave the automaker even greater prestige. All of this has led to Porsche now being one of the most powerful and profitable car brands in the world. With a 31% stake in Volkswagen AG (even 50% in the short term), Porsche will strengthen its position.

But despite this influence, Porsche's hunger for success was not satisfied. In 2009, the next milestone was reached with the introduction of a four-door Grand Turismo, the Panamera. This was the German automaker's fourth model and is now also available with hybrid technology. The brand continues to invest in new models and other (societal) innovations. Of course, no one knows whether the brand will still exist in sixty years. What we do know, however, is that – as is the case for legends – an icon like Porsche will never disappear.

Porsche Museum

Anyone who truly wants to experience the history of Porsche cannot miss the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. This impressive building, opened in 2009, is a true paradise for enthusiasts of the brand. Over 80 cars are on display across more than 5.600 square meters of exhibition space, ranging from the very first Porsche 356 to the most iconic racing cars and concept models. Visitors have the chance not only to see the evolution of design and engineering up close, but also to experience Porsche's rich racing history. With regularly changing exhibitions and a behind-the-scenes look at the restoration workshop, the museum is a must for anyone who wants to understand the DNA of Porsche.

Visiting it museum is definitely worth it!