The Introduction of the Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 first started life way back in the mid 1950's when it first hit the drawing boards of the fast-becoming-famous sports car company.


Despite a constantly increasing demand for the Porsche 356 production cars, it was apparent that a new model would be needed for the 1960s. So, as early as 1956, the Porsche designers started work on their new car, using experience gained from the 356 series and from racing. The result was the 901, a designation quickly changed to 911 when it was realized that Peugeot had a title to model names with a zero in the middle on the French market.

Ferry Porsche laid down the law on the 911: it had to be little bigger than the 356, yet carry two adults and two children in greater comfort. His designers achieved these laudable aims, which dictated the use of a new engine because the old flat-four unit from the 356 was at the end of its development. Naturally, they turned to the eight-cylinder Formula 1 unit, which had also been used in Porsche's faster sports-racing cars. It was reduced in size to six cylinders with only one overhead camshaft for each cylinder bank, but still formed the basis of all 911 engines since. Designs were not wasted at Porsche.

The 911 was an immediate success when the first cars left the production lines in 1964, Since then it has been developed further and further within its original concept, even more so than the 356. It has also had a more extensive competition history, taking in everything from the Monte Carlo Rally to Le Mans.