America has for decades been Porsche’s biggest market, and this was important for the young and growing company. In some ways, the importance of this market even influenced the development of certain models. In this feature, Porsche and the US, we look into that all-important relationship between Porsche and the American car-mad society. One of the surprises of the 1948 … [Read more...]
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...]
The Sonderwunsch Man – Rolf Sprenger
Rolf Sprenger was a versatile engineer whose Porsche career was founded almost entirely on customer service. “If I want a trailer (caravan) with a swimming pool, Herr Sprenger will build it for me,” so said Peter Schutz to a potential client, while Sprenger looking on, would groan inwardly: yet another customer whose expectations had been over-excited would have to be brought … [Read more...]
Ice Race GP at Zell am See
After a 45-year hiatus, the popular Ice Race GP at Zell am See near the picturesque Austrian town of the same name, was revived last month to great acclaim. Thanks to an abundance of snow in the region, the race track, which is laid out on the frozen runway of a local airfield in the Alpenflugplatz area, was brought to life once again. With the sound of race engines and … [Read more...]
RM Sotheby’s Celebrates 70 years of Porsche with a Stellar Selection
The mental wheels started turning when RM Sotheby’s announced on 9 March 2018 that a single marque Porsche auction would be held at the Porsche Cars North America facility in Atlanta on the weekend of 27 October. The auction was fashioned around a celebration of Porsche’s 70th anniversary. Although no lots were yet known, the promise of a stellar selection of Porsche machinery … [Read more...]
Porsche cars at the 2018 Rétromobile
Open to visitors from Wednesday 7th to Sunday 11th February, the 2018 edition of Rétromobile held in Paris at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Park has been a real success. In particular, and in recognition of its 70th anniversary, the Porsche cars at the 2018 Rétromobile made for a particularly impressive spectacle. For any classic car enthusiast, this event is a very … [Read more...]