In 1953, Porsche needed a race car more powerful than the
356. So they created the 550. This was the first true competition
car from Porsche. It was lightweight, it had two seats, aluminum
body, tubular frame and an open top. They were racing only with
Volkswagen. The initial pair of 550 dominated their class at Le
Mans finishing one-two in the 1500cc division. Then, one of the two
cars won its category in the famed Pan Americana Mexican road race.
Subsequent 550`s carried on what the initial 550`s had started.
They were fitted with the four-cam Carrera flat four cylinders. They
soon became dominant cars world wide. During races, it was fast
and easily maneuvered so no other car stand a chance. But people
loved it purchasing every one of these quick little cars they could find.
In 1956, Porsche started to produce the 550A, a slightly modified
Spyder. It was a hit, shocking the entire world by winning in its first
Appearance in Targa Florio, a brutal road race. It also humbled well-known
and more powerful rivals such as Ferrari, Maseratti and Jaguar.
In the next five years it won almost all the races in which it competed.
It became a car that attracted more attention for its occasional
losses than for the nearly non-stop victories.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Porsche 365
The Porsche 356 is the first Porsche production automobile
and it was sold from 1948 through 1965. Although many
consider Porsche 64 as being the first automobile produced
by the German company, the 64 was never mass-produced
and it was only a drivable test-mule. The 364 was created by
Ferdinand Porsche and his son, Ferry Porsche, designed by
Erwin Komenda and its engine features derived from the
Volkswagen Beetle, deigned by Mr. Porsche Senior.
The models available were initially coupe, cabriolet (luxury
convertible) and then roadster (a stripped down convertible).
Before being withdrawn in 1965, it went through several
changes. The most desirable versions were 356 “Carrera”
(often sold for well over $150,000), “Super 90” and “Speedster”.
In the late 50`s, the original selling price for a Porsche was
$4,000.
In 1954, Max Hoffman, the only importer of Porsches into
United States needed a lower cost, racier version for the
American marker. Therefore, the company created 356
“Speedster” that became a instant hit thanks to the low, raked
windshield (easily removable for weekend racing), bucket seats,
and minimal folding top. These days, this car is still very
appreciated as it is sold for over $100,000 and it has been used
in several films, including 48 Hours, its sequel – Another 48
Hours and Top Gun. In 1957, the production of Speedster
peaked at 1,171 cars. In 1959 it was replaced by the Convertible
D model, which featured a taller, more practical windshield,
glass side windows, and more comfortable seats.
Year after year, the basic shape of Porsche 356 remained the
same and was easily recognized and remarked, even though
changes were made, especially in the mechanical area. Coupe
and cabriolet models were produced every year up to 1965,
with the last 356B Roadster built in early 1963. The final model
build was 356 C that featured disc brakes and the most
powerful pushrod engine Porsche so far: the 95HP “SC”.
In the year that Porsche launched 911, 1964, Porsche 356 production
peaked at 14,151 cars. Still, the company continued to sell the
356C in North America through the end of 1965 as a lower-cost
vehicle. When the customers complained the price for 911 was
too high (almost twice the price of the 356), Porsche started
producing the 912, using the 356 engine. The 912model was
sold between 1965 and 1969.
56 years after the beginning of the production, Sports Car
International named 356C number ten on the list of Top Sports
cars of the 60`s. Today, the 356 is a respected car among the
collectors, as it stood the test of time. Worldwide, thousands of
356 owners maintain the tradition, preserving their cars and
driving them regularly.
and it was sold from 1948 through 1965. Although many
consider Porsche 64 as being the first automobile produced
by the German company, the 64 was never mass-produced
and it was only a drivable test-mule. The 364 was created by
Ferdinand Porsche and his son, Ferry Porsche, designed by
Erwin Komenda and its engine features derived from the
Volkswagen Beetle, deigned by Mr. Porsche Senior.
The models available were initially coupe, cabriolet (luxury
convertible) and then roadster (a stripped down convertible).
Before being withdrawn in 1965, it went through several
changes. The most desirable versions were 356 “Carrera”
(often sold for well over $150,000), “Super 90” and “Speedster”.
In the late 50`s, the original selling price for a Porsche was
$4,000.
In 1954, Max Hoffman, the only importer of Porsches into
United States needed a lower cost, racier version for the
American marker. Therefore, the company created 356
“Speedster” that became a instant hit thanks to the low, raked
windshield (easily removable for weekend racing), bucket seats,
and minimal folding top. These days, this car is still very
appreciated as it is sold for over $100,000 and it has been used
in several films, including 48 Hours, its sequel – Another 48
Hours and Top Gun. In 1957, the production of Speedster
peaked at 1,171 cars. In 1959 it was replaced by the Convertible
D model, which featured a taller, more practical windshield,
glass side windows, and more comfortable seats.
Year after year, the basic shape of Porsche 356 remained the
same and was easily recognized and remarked, even though
changes were made, especially in the mechanical area. Coupe
and cabriolet models were produced every year up to 1965,
with the last 356B Roadster built in early 1963. The final model
build was 356 C that featured disc brakes and the most
powerful pushrod engine Porsche so far: the 95HP “SC”.
In the year that Porsche launched 911, 1964, Porsche 356 production
peaked at 14,151 cars. Still, the company continued to sell the
356C in North America through the end of 1965 as a lower-cost
vehicle. When the customers complained the price for 911 was
too high (almost twice the price of the 356), Porsche started
producing the 912, using the 356 engine. The 912model was
sold between 1965 and 1969.
56 years after the beginning of the production, Sports Car
International named 356C number ten on the list of Top Sports
cars of the 60`s. Today, the 356 is a respected car among the
collectors, as it stood the test of time. Worldwide, thousands of
356 owners maintain the tradition, preserving their cars and
driving them regularly.
Porsche
Almost a century after its founder started designing automobiles,
Porsche is still going strong and that’s the result of a premier cure
for a mid-life crisis similar to Harley - Davidson. Porsche's lineup
includes four model lines: the Boxster, the 911 models, the
Cayenne SUV, and the Carrera GT. And if these vehicles are
too expensive, Porsche also offers watches, luggage, and tennis
rackets bearing its name. Descendants of the founding family
still control the company and these days it has enlarged its area
by offering consulting services to other companies involved in
auto and furniture manufacturing, mechanical and electronic
engineering, and construction.
Over the years, Porsche transformed itself from serious
money-loser into one of the most profitable car companies in
the world, all this while other car manufactures toil over cash
incentives, market share and strategies for the Chinese market.
Porsche has constantly rolled out new products and despite
the costs and risks is has quadrupled its annual unit sales in just
under a decade. The most recent debuts are the Boxster and the Cayenne.
And so far, the key of their success seems to be the long
product life cycles and the company intends to maintain this
strategy.
Porsche is still going strong and that’s the result of a premier cure
for a mid-life crisis similar to Harley - Davidson. Porsche's lineup
includes four model lines: the Boxster, the 911 models, the
Cayenne SUV, and the Carrera GT. And if these vehicles are
too expensive, Porsche also offers watches, luggage, and tennis
rackets bearing its name. Descendants of the founding family
still control the company and these days it has enlarged its area
by offering consulting services to other companies involved in
auto and furniture manufacturing, mechanical and electronic
engineering, and construction.
Over the years, Porsche transformed itself from serious
money-loser into one of the most profitable car companies in
the world, all this while other car manufactures toil over cash
incentives, market share and strategies for the Chinese market.
Porsche has constantly rolled out new products and despite
the costs and risks is has quadrupled its annual unit sales in just
under a decade. The most recent debuts are the Boxster and the Cayenne.
And so far, the key of their success seems to be the long
product life cycles and the company intends to maintain this
strategy.
Porsche 64
Many consider the Porsche 64 (also known as the VW Aerocoupe,
Type 64 and Type 64K10) as being the first automobile by
Porsche. It was built mainly from parts from the Model 64 VW
Beetle and there comes the model number. Its flat-four engine
produced 50 bhp and gave a top speed of 160 km/h.
Porsche Burro designed the body after wind tunnel tests made
for the Type 114, a V10 sports car that was never produced.
Dr. Porsche wanted to enter the car in the 1939 Berlin-Rome
race. The bodywork company Reutter built three cars in
shaped aluminium. Out of the three, one was crashed in the
early World War II by a Kraft durch Freude (Volkswagen)
bureaucrat. The two remaining were used by the Porsche
family. Later on, they put one of them in the storage and used
only one. In May 1945 American troops discovered the one
put in storage, cut the roof off and used it for joyriding for a few
weeks until the engine gave up and it was scrapped. Pinin
Farina restored the remaining Porsche 64 in 1947, as it was
owned and driven by Ferry Porsche. In 1949, the Austrian racer
Otto Matte bought it and won the Alpine Rally in 1950 in it.
Type 64 and Type 64K10) as being the first automobile by
Porsche. It was built mainly from parts from the Model 64 VW
Beetle and there comes the model number. Its flat-four engine
produced 50 bhp and gave a top speed of 160 km/h.
Porsche Burro designed the body after wind tunnel tests made
for the Type 114, a V10 sports car that was never produced.
Dr. Porsche wanted to enter the car in the 1939 Berlin-Rome
race. The bodywork company Reutter built three cars in
shaped aluminium. Out of the three, one was crashed in the
early World War II by a Kraft durch Freude (Volkswagen)
bureaucrat. The two remaining were used by the Porsche
family. Later on, they put one of them in the storage and used
only one. In May 1945 American troops discovered the one
put in storage, cut the roof off and used it for joyriding for a few
weeks until the engine gave up and it was scrapped. Pinin
Farina restored the remaining Porsche 64 in 1947, as it was
owned and driven by Ferry Porsche. In 1949, the Austrian racer
Otto Matte bought it and won the Alpine Rally in 1950 in it.
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