A photo of a white Porsche Cabriolet was on our ‘Dream Board’ for years. The car on the curve of a twisty road, background blurred, epitomized how we wanted our daily lives to be; powerful, fast, fun, exciting, stylish, and free of the constraints of mediocrity.
Like many marquee brands, we often take for granted that they were always marquee brands, and don’t often delve into the history, the origins, the founders, the struggles, which when you do, brings the brand closer to the heart.
Renowned automotive researcher and photographer, Randy Leffingwell has produced an intriguing book, which engagingly traces the story of Porsche from its pre-history up to the present day. Key moments and models are detailed along the with quotes from the people involved – the who, where and why. Chronicling not just the successes, but also the missed opportunities.
This book brings the story of the carmaker to life, with unseen images and poignant observations from the participants involved in the design and decisions of the times. No Porsche enthusiast will feel left out, in all probability, it may expand and entrench their admiration for one of the most iconic automotive brands ever built.
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Ferdinand Porsche’s first efforts with electric and battery power, which began in the late 1890s. An electric motor in each front wheel hub developed between 2.5 and 3.5 horsepower and controls were as simple as on-off with the addition of a speed selector offering up to 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour).
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The creative output of the Porsche family in the 1950’s. In the image on the left, and from the left, the Typ 60 VW Beetle, the Typ 356 Coupe and the 356 Cabriolet.
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1981 Typ 936-81 at Le Mans Once they reached Le Mans, it only took Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell (No. 11) to add another overall victory to their logbooks and the 936 record.
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Bottom left: 1985 Typ 953s 4×4’s line up for the start at the Porte de Versailles Nearly a year of work got these Porsche 953 4×4s to the start line of the 1984 Paris-Dakar. The racers was based on the 3.2 Carrera platform but with four-wheel drive. The engine produced 225 hp in a 2,668-pound (1,120.2 kg) car.
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Top Right and Left: Ferdinand Porsches electric dream is realized in ways he couldn’t imagine. On dry pavement, acceleration from 0 to 62 miles per hour (0 to 100 kilometers per hour) required 2.6 seconds and the car reached a top speed of 160 miles per hour (260 kilometers per hour).
