PORSCHE 911

BIRTH OF AN ICON

What isn’t as well known is it’s also the 55th anniversary of their greatest achievement, the legendary Porsche 911. Despite the success of the 356, it became apparent in the mid 1950s a bigger more powerful car was needed against increasing competition. The parameters were the continuation of an air-cooled f lat engine in the rear, but with better handling and a larger interior in a two-door coupe body. So began the 901 project that after six years of development, made its debut at the 1963 Frankfurt Motorshow. Controversy struck immediately with Peugeot kicking up a stink about the use of a zero as the middle digit in the model name, claiming it was their patch, so Porsche changed the model to 911. Production commenced in 1964 and a star was born. In career spanning 55 years the 911 has beceome a sports car icon and one of the most desirable cars on the planet. Since 1964 over one million 911s have been built and it motorsport success is unrivalled. Visually the 911 has grown, but its instantly recognisable and the classic, timelss shape harks back to that orignal car and its rear drive, rear engine layout.

At one stage Porsche looked at replacing the 91 in favour of the newly launched, front-engined 928. Fortunately common sense prevailed and the 911 remained as the foundation of the brand and its future has never looked better.

Australia was Porsche’s first market outside Europe, thanks to Australian pump manufacturer Norman Hamilton who became the distributor, initially importing a right-hand drive coupe and cabriolet, starting the legend here.