Designing and developing a new model to replace an already popular and successful one, is for any manufacturer, a difficult and stressful procedure, especially when the model being replaced is the much-loved Porsche 356. But with the benefit of hindsight, the 911 would shape the company’s future, as the new platform created by Butzi Porsche was sufficiently flexible as to allow … [Read more...]
My Porsche
Scarlet the 1957 Porsche 356 A Speedster
It was Max Hoffman, the New York-based Porsche importer, who was instrumental in getting the factory to produce a lightweight sports car for local competition in the USA. Hoffman’s clients were demanding a stripped-down factory version of the 356 to compete in the rapidly developing sports car racing scene in America. At less than $3000, the Speedster, which took the form of a … [Read more...]
A whale of a tale – maintaining an ‘89 911 Carrera Sport in Zimbabwe
As I’ve explained on the few occasions I’ve burst into print in Porsche Road & Race, my enduring love affair with the Porsche brand was developed and nurtured from the late 1950s. My father, a dentist by profession, was very mechanically-minded and owned Beetles – and Mercs – from the early ‘50s, but it was our family doctor who raced VW-powered single seaters at the … [Read more...]
Pic of the Week – 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera 4
In 2016, we spent a week on the island of Rügen, Germany’s largest island situated on the southern Baltic Sea coast, and located in an area that was previously East Germany. Being such an interesting part of Germany, we did a lot of exploring around the seaside resort of Binz. One day, our family took us to visit Prora, the site of Hitler’s grand-fantasy holiday project for … [Read more...]
The long and twisty road…
For many years now, the name ‘Carrera’ has been associated with Porsche sports cars. But the story of how the fledgling 356 first got its ‘Carrera’ name is a fascinating one. This required the far-sightedness of the company founder, Ferry Porsche, and a young engineer who was prepared to think outside the box. This story follows a long and twisty road which started in far-off … [Read more...]
Pic of the Week – 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup Thruxton UK
Imagine our surprise when this #4 Motorbase Performance Porsche GT3 Cup, driven by Steve Parish in the Carrera Cup at Thruxton on 1st May 2011, came around for the penultimate lap onto the start/finish straight ‘pushing’ this Dunlop advertising board. Thruxton circuit is the UK’s fastest race circuit, and the driver had apparently collected the board when he went a bit … [Read more...]
Porsche 1958 356A Speedster 1.6 & 1997 Boxster 2.5
The day dawned bright and clear with little sign of any clouds, a typical Highveld winter’s day. After an early morning meeting for coffee, the small group consisting of two owner/drivers, a journalist (myself), a photographer and support crew, headed north-west from Johannesburg. The convoy included a 1958 356A Speedster 1.6-litre, a (then) new 1997 Boxster 2.5-litre and our … [Read more...]
Pic of the Week – 2007 FIA GT Silverstone RAC Tourist Trophy
Were you there? The 2007 FIA GT Silverstone RAC Tourist Trophy was the second race of the season in this 11-year old championship. This racing series allowed for GT race cars in two classes, GT1 and GT2, where the races were two hours long and required two mandatory pit stops. Cars ranged from the mighty Maserati MC12 (6-litre V12), Aston Martin DBR9, Lamborghini Murciélago … [Read more...]
Pic of the Week – 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Hans-Joachim Stuck was observed trying to squeeze his lanky frame into the seat of the 935/78 Moby Dick at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. But even with the help of one of the car’s crew, there was just no way he could shoehorn those long legs into the cabin, no matter which way they tried. Klaus Bischof (left) looks on hopefully, but it was no good. Instead he had to opt … [Read more...]
Pic of the Week – 2010 Le Mans starting grid
On the 2010 Le Mans starting grid before the race was the (foreground) #76 IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 911 GT3 RSR driven by the familiar trio of Raymond Narac/Patrick Pilet/Patrick Long. The #76 car qualified in sixth place in class and 41st overall out of 54 starters. The #97 BMS Scuderia Italia SPA Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (background) was driven by three Le Mans … [Read more...]
