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When Ferdinand Porsche designed a crude but operable electric carriage in 1898, he had no idea his name would become associated with one of the most prestigious automobile brands in the world. Porsche, which was founded in 1931, began manufacturing cars in 1948 with the launch of the Type 356. Motorsport success followed rapidly. But it was the production of the 911 in the 1960s that defined the commercial sports car genre, and the identity of the company that today is a byword for high performance luxury. But these glittering achievements came at a price, with the Porsche name embroiled in controversy at the end of the Second World War for its use of forced labor during the conflict. So, what are the origins of this iconic vehicle, and how has the brand endured?
Click on and take a drive through the history of Porsche.
Austro-Bohemian automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche founded what would become Porsche AG in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1931.
One of the first commissions the new company received was from the German government to design a "car for the people"—a Volkswagen, or the Beetle, more specifically.
Ferdinand Porsche, together with chief designer Erwin Komenda and a hand-picked team that included Porsche's son Ferry, created one of the most iconic vehicles in automotive history. Adolf Hitler is seen here inspecting one of the vehicles at the Volkswagen factory in Stadt des KdF-Wagens (renamed Wolfsburg after the war).
In 1939, Porsche developed the Porsche 64 using many components from the Beetle. During the Second World War, the company produced several designs for heavy tanks, including the Elefant tank destroyer (pictured).
As was routine for German companies of its size, Porsche used forced labor in its factories throughout the conflict. Ferdinand Porsche was arrested in France in December 1945 and charged with war crimes. He was imprisoned for 22 months before his son Ferry was able to secure his release by effectively buying his freedom.
After Ferdinand Porsche's death in 1951, Ferry took the wheel and steered the company into postwar prosperity.
The history of the Porsche automobile brand effectively began in 1948 with the Type 356. The first production car was the Porsche Type 356 "No. 1" Roadster. The new cars were a sensation at the first postwar Berlin International Auto Show, held in 1950.
In 1951, an enhanced 356 SL attracted international attention with a class victory at the famous Le Mans motorsport venue.
In 1953, the Porsche 550 Spyder was raced at Le Mans. The mid-engine roadster went on to secure a long tradition of spectacular motorsport success. In fact, Porsche has dominated the prestigious endurance sports car race ever since its entry into the world of competitive motorsport.
Sadly, the 550 Spyder is forever associated with one of Hollywood's most notorious tragedies—the death of James Dean. On September 30, 1955, the actor was photographed at a gas station with his silver Porsche 550 Spyder just hours before his fatal crash.
Porsche's success on the track was cemented with Formula One triumph at the French Grand Prix in 1962. American Dan Gurney, driving a Porsche 804, claimed Porsche's first and only F1 win as a constructor. Pictured is the starting grid at the German Grand Prix in August 1962.
The following year, 1963, Porsche introduced the 911. Initially called the 901, this high performance fastback coupe has defined the sports car genre ever since and remains one of the company's most iconic and best-selling vehicles. Pictured is a 1967 short-tail coupe.
Meanwhile, the Porsche 904, officially called Porsche Carrera GTS, opened a new chapter in Porsche racing history, again leaving everybody else behind at Le Mans.
The first 911 Targa hit the roads in 1966, having been introduced at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September 1965.
With the '60s in full swing, the 911 became the vehicle of choice for many celebrities of the era, including Janis Joplin.
Others such as Steve McQueen raced theirs in competition. The actor is seen pausing on the track at Riverside Raceway in California.
In a throwback to its VW heritage, Porsche unveiled the 914 in 1969. Designed, manufactured, and marketed collaboratively by Volkswagen and Porsche, this mid-engine sports car was only available as a Targa-topped two-seat roadster.
In 1970, Porsche recorded its first-ever overall victory at Le Mans, and the Manufacturers' World Championship. Pictured is the winning Porsche 917K driven by Richard Attwood and Hans Hermann.
The 1970s and 1980s saw Porsche introduce the 911 Turbo, in 1975, and the front-engine 924 in 1976, among other cars, as well as several highly successful racing models. In 1989, the 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Speedster repositioned the 911 as the car that continues to shape the identity of the Porsche brand. Pictured is the 2019 Speedster.
The first generation Porsche Boxster was introduced in 1996. The vehicle was the company's biggest volume seller until the introduction of the Cayenne sport utility vehicle in 2003.
Also in 1996, the one millionth Porsche rolled off the Zuffenhausen assembly line on July 15. It was a gift for the Stuttgart police force.
Four years later, the public got its first glimpse of the Porsche Carrera GT. The car went into production in 2004. Sports Car International named the Carrera GT number one on its list of Top Sports Cars of the 2000s.
The eagerly anticipated Cayenne rolled off the production line in 2002. This was Porsche's first off-road SUV and the first with four doors. It was an instant success.
The sporty, aerodynamic Cayman S, first launched in 2005, was derived from Porsche's second and third generation Boxster roadster. Incidentally, the coupe is not named after the Cayman Islands. Both the car and the islands are named after the caiman, a member of the alligator family.
As the first decade of the new century progressed, Porsche introduced the Panamera, in 2009. It was marketed as a full-size luxury family model.
The following year the Porsche Boxster Spyder had a flashy facelift and immediately found favor with celebrities and members of the wealthy jet set.
In 2014, the Macan joined the Porsche family. A compact luxury crossover SUV, the name of the vehicle is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger.
First unveiled as a concept car in 2015, the Porsche Mission E became the Taycan—Porsche's first series production electric car.
More than 20,000 Taycans were delivered in 2020, its debut sale year. Pictured is the Taycan 4S seen during its world premiere at AutoMobility LA on November 20, 2019.
The Porsche Museum is located at the carmaker's site in Stuttgart. The facility houses a dazzling display of rotating exhibits from a stock of around 300 vehicles, many of them rare and unique examples of early designs and prototypes.
One of the museum's star exhibits is a Porsche 64, also known as the Type 64. This is believed to be the first automobile from what was to become the Porsche company. In fact, it's a true design precursor to the postwar production model.
However, pride of place perhaps belongs to the Egger-Lohner-Elektromobil electric powered carriage, developed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1898, long before his name was associated with one of the world's most prestigious automobile brands.
Sources: (Porsche) (Der Spiegel) (Britannica) (History)
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LIFESTYLE Automobiles
When Ferdinand Porsche designed a crude but operable electric carriage in 1898, he had no idea his name would become associated with one of the most prestigious automobile brands in the world. Porsche, which was founded in 1931, began manufacturing cars in 1948 with the launch of the Type 356. Motorsport success followed rapidly. But it was the production of the 911 in the 1960s that defined the commercial sports car genre, and the identity of the company that today is a byword for high performance luxury. But these glittering achievements came at a price, with the Porsche name embroiled in controversy at the end of the Second World War for its use of forced labor during the conflict. So, what are the origins of this iconic vehicle, and how has the brand endured?
Click on and take a drive through the history of Porsche.