For all the rich heritage of Porsche, there are quite a few things you probably didn’t know. We’ve asked the experts at design911.co.uk for their top ten.
Ferdinand Porsche, founder of the company produced one of the world’s first hybrid electric vehicle in 1899
In the early days of the 20th century, Ferdinand Porsche, at just 18 years of age started working for Vienna-based coach-builder Lohner-Werke. Within just two years of starting work, Porsche had designed one of the world’s first hybrid vehicles.
The Porsche 911 is one of the world’s longest running sports cars
The Porsche 911 is the iconic sports car that defines the company and shapes it into what it is today. Designed and built in 1963 the Porsche 911 has an implausible history that extends further back than almost any other sports car. The 911 is one of the few vehicles to have been continually produced since the 1960s, having been updated and modified throughout its lifetime but still preserves much of its original design today.
The very first VW Beetle was built in Ferdinand’s private villa
Being a designer who fully immersed himself in his work, it isn’t surprising that Ferdinand utilised his own home to make one of the world’s most iconic cars.
Until 1998, all Porsche 911 models used air cooled engines
One distinctive fact about the Porsche 911 is that until recently, it used an air cooled engine. The car’s unique cooling conformation gave its engine a sound which differed to any other sports car of that time.
The famous Porsche crest was designed on the back of a napkin
One of Porsche’s most famous and iconic features is of course its crest featured on the front of all vehicles. The crest is based on the coat of arms of Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg and where Porsche has been based for decades. Chief designer, Ferry Porsche, who oversaw the design of many of Porsche’s most iconic cars outlined the crest on the back of a napkin whilst brainstorming logo ideas.
Porsche used to make tractors
Lamborghini is notorious for making farming machinery, but Porsche manufactured more than 125,000 tractors in the ’50s and ’60s, and once designed forklift trucks and airplane cockpits.
Porsche produced a high-tech racing car called the 959 in the 1980’s
Whilst being mostly famous for producing the 911, Porsche also created a large collection of high tech cars over the years. Produced in the 1980s, the 959 is one of its most exceptional and technologically advanced creations.
The Porsche 911 was almost the Porsche 901
Ferdinand originally wanted to call the 911 the 901, but famous car brand Peugeot told them to stop, as traditional Peugeot classification is number-0-number.
In 1972, Porsche developed the world’s first black chronograph watch
Back then it was all about functionability, so it copied the gauges in a car. Many of the Porsche watches today can be seen to follow the original design, with even now, many other brands copying Porches classic and timeless designs.
Black, white and red are the most popular colours for Porsche cars
Even though the company will custom paint a car in any colour for a fee, black red and white were always the most popular colour choices for the super cars, and are still chosen today for their iconic look and almost infamous style.
