At the recently held Munich Motor Show, a giant structure that had the silhouette of a Porsche 911 drew powerful attention. From the gigantic front ‘air intake’, as an entrance to a cave where some of the most emblematic of the brand, a Porsche 901 stood out.
The structure wanted to commemorate the 75 years of Porsche as a brand, an anniversary that perhaps overshadowed another important one: six decades ago at this same show – although it was then held in Frankfurt – the Porsche 901 was presented, whose name was quickly changed to 911 to avoid legal problems with Peugeot, which named its models with three digits, with a zero being the central one.
60 years and 8 generations later, this iconic model remains “The Porsche” par excellence. From that initial 901 to the current one there is a gap in size, power, dynamic qualities, equipment, but the basic silhouette – more muscular if you will – remains intact. Also the scheme: boxer engine in rear overhang. It is something absolutely unusual.
Not only is it the brand’s reference, but attempts to discontinue it have had to be abandoned as soon as the rumor became public. And at the same time he is a perfect witness of how automobile technology has advanced in this more than half a century.
Michael Mauer, head of design at Porsche, states that “the 911 has maintained its identity and at the same time has adapted to the times.” In a way, this is a big challenge for the brand’s designers.
‘Ferry’ Porsche wanted a successor to the 356, which was reaching the end of its life. It had to be superior, so Porsche engineers developed a new 6-cylinder engine, boxer like the original 4-cylinder borrowed from VW, and air-cooled.
Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, known as ‘Buzzi’ Porsche, Ferry’s eldest son, made the first design of the car, which was groundbreaking at the time. That proposal was for 4 seats and had a rear hatch, but Ferry rejected it.
In the end, the tailgate was eliminated and the roof line was rounded, making it more fluid, as if sculpted by the wind. Thus, the rear part acquired its original silhouette, not without a certain similarity to the 365. With a monocoque chassis, the 901 – this was the code name of the project – offered more space, although it was not a 4-seater – it was a 2 2, with the “emergency” rear seats or those intended for children.
The new two-liter engine changed the central camshaft of the 356 for an overhead one, rotated at higher revolutions per minute and developed 130 HP compared to the 90 HP of the 1,600 four-cylinder 365, but maintained air cooling.
It was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show – it was still a non-functional model – and began to be marketed a year later, starting at the 1964 Paris Motor Show. Two years later, the 911 S would arrive, with the engine boosted to 160 HP. It was the beginning of a path that still lasts and that seems to never be completed.
Throughout its history, this model has undergone continuous evolutions in technology and materials. For example, it has installed naturally aspirated and turbo engines; It has practically doubled its displacement; has adopted water cooling; and has equipped automatic transmission, four-wheel drive and steering aids.
It has also had convertible versions, Targa (hardtop convertible and rear arch), limited roadster series and lightened versions that can be registered but practically for competition. The most powerful variants have reached close to 700 HP.
And the work of the engineers to achieve a sporty but at the same time noble behavior with a car ‘all back’, that is, mounting the engine in the rear overhang, which should make it delicate to drive, is still marvelous.
However, the ride comfort is surprising, allowing it to be used every day, on daily trips or long trips, something that few sports cars are really capable of. Or at least they don’t do it at the level of 911.
Sixty years later, it remains a desired icon. We are in the eighth generation and 1.1 million units have been manufactured. Although there are some sports cars with a higher production figure, none have the prestige or arouse as much passion among drivers as this Porsche.
