Frankfurt, September 1963. The spotlights fall on an inconspicuous Porsche stand. At its center, a car with a revolutionary design that doesn't yet know it: it's about to become the best-selling sports car in history. Except this car isn't yet called the 911. It's called the 901. And it's about to experience a crazy adventure that has now lasted 60 years.
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I love this story because it begins with an administrative mix-up that will give birth to a legend. The Porsche 911 is not just a car, it is a monument of the automobile that has survived everything: oil crises, technical revolutions, passing fashions, and even Porsche executives who wanted to bury it.
The origins: when the 901 becomes the 911
So let's start from the beginning. It's 1963, and Ferry Porsche —son of founder Ferdinand—has a problem on his hands. His 356 is aging, the competition is getting stronger, and a worthy successor absolutely has to be created. Except Ferry doesn't want to do just anything. He wants his new car to retain the Porsche spirit: a rear-mounted engine, a unique character, but with more space and more power.
This is where his son, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche , who everyone calls "Butzi", comes in. And here, I swear, the irony of the story is delicious: this guy who will create one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the world, he was kicked out of his design school in Ulm after a year. The teachers thought he didn't have the necessary talent. Can you imagine? The guy who will design the 911, he is told that he doesn't know how to draw.
Well, luckily, Papa Ferry believes in it. He entrusts his 24-year-old son with the task of designing the successor to the 356. Between August and October 1959, Butzi creates the T7 prototype, and then, magic happens . This line, this silhouette, this profile that you can recognize from 500 meters away: everything is already there.
But things really got juicy at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car was presented under the name 901, everything was going well, the journalists were won over. And then a few weeks later, a dramatic turn of events: Peugeot arrived with its lawyers. Because, imagine that since 1930 and their 201, the French had filed exclusivity for all three-digit numbers with a zero in the middle . Game over for the 901.
Ferry Porsche, he had to react quickly. So they simply took the "0" and replaced it with a "1." And thus, one of the most legendary names in automotive history was accidentally born. Sometimes the best stories begin with a plan B.
Ferry Porsche: the architect of the legend
But beware, if Butzi designed the bodywork, Ferry Porsche remains the true architect of the project . He is the one who defines everything: the wheelbase, the power, the type of suspension. He wants a car that is both a pure sports car and a car that can be used every day. A completely crazy bet at the time.
And what fascinates me about Ferry is that he was the first customer of his own cars. In 1969, he had a unique 911 S delivered to him in a metallic olive green color with personalized details. Not to show off, but because he really wanted to live with his creation, to understand its qualities and its flaws on a daily basis.
The 1963 911 was already revolutionary. A 130-horsepower flat-6 engine, rear-wheel drive, and above all, the architecture with the rear-mounted engine that would make all 911s unique. A technical solution that everyone found bizarre at the time, but which turned out to be brilliant.
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Continuous evolution: 60 years of innovations
The crazy thing about the 911 is that Porsche has managed to reinvent it eight times in sixty years without ever distorting its originality. Each generation brings its share of innovations, but the philosophy remains the same.
As early as 1966, the Targa body style arrived—you know, the one with the distinctive roll bar. An innovation born of American regulatory constraints that would become a design classic. The following year, in 1967, it was the turn of the famous Fuchs wheels to make their appearance. These alloy wheels with their five hollow spokes would become one of the 911's most recognizable visual elements.
1969, another revolution: mechanical injection replaces carburetors. The 911 gains in performance and reliability. It was also this year that the wheelbase was slightly lengthened to improve stability. Because yes, the first 911s had a little... how can I put it... mischievous character when exiting corners.
But the big turning point came in 1975 with the first 911 Turbo . 260 horsepower, a rear spoiler that made every kid fantasize, and performance that made the competition look ridiculous. When I was little, that was my dream car: a white 911 Turbo with its famous "telephone rims."
A family passion that is passed on
You know, in the Porsche family, one-off cars are a tradition . For his 60th birthday, Ferry Porsche received a special 260-hp 914/8. Ferdinand, the patriarch, received a black 356 for his 75th birthday. And Butzi? A one-off 993 Speedster for his 60th birthday.
But the anecdote that touches me the most is that of Ferdinand Porsche senior . This genius of automotive engineering, creator of the Beetle and so many other marvels, he never saw his brand triumph. Weakened by his imprisonment in France after the war, he died of a heart attack in 1951, just after discovering the plans for the 356. According to witnesses, when looking at his son Ferry's work, his last words were: "I wouldn't have made it any other way than you."
That sentence gives me goosebumps every time. Imagine Ferry's emotion, having just received his father's blessing for the Porsche adventure that was just beginning.
The 911 that was supposed to die
But be careful, the story of the 911 almost went wrong. In 1981, Porsche management wanted to stop it . Finished, finished, we move on to something else. The idea was to focus on other models, more modern, easier to produce.
Fortunately, customers said no . Massively. Letters of protest, petitions, demonstrations in front of dealerships... The enthusiasts saved their favorite car. And frankly, we can thank them, because without them, we would never have had the 993, 996, 997, 991 and 992 that followed.
That's also the magic of the 911: it belongs as much to its owners as it does to Porsche. It's a car that creates a unique emotional connection.
The legendary models
In the 911 galaxy, there are some stars that shine brighter than the rest. The 1972 Carrera RS 2.7 , for example. 210 horsepower, 1075 kilos in Touring version, and that "ducktail" spoiler that will forever be remembered. Today, an RS 2.7 in good condition is worth more than a house.
In fact, the name "Carrera" comes from Porsche's victories in the Carrera Panamericana race in Mexico in the 1950s. A legendary race, as dangerous as anything, where Porsche made a name for itself by beating much more powerful opponents.
And then there are all those exceptional models that mark anniversaries or important moments. The 911 Sport Classic , which pays homage to the RS 2.7, the 911 S/T for the 60th anniversary, the 911 R for purists... Each decade brings its share of rare gems.
But sometimes the most beautiful stories are the most intimate. Take Louise Piëch , Ferry Porsche's sister. For her 70th birthday in 1974, she received the very first 911 Turbo prototype, the "No. 1." A unique car, built especially for her. Imagine having the prototype of one of the most legendary 911s in history in your garage.
You know what? This 911 was much more than just a family car—it was a symbol of passion and innovation for an entire dynasty. Holding a 1:43 scale model 911 in your hands is a bit like experiencing all that epic story all at once. That's why I opened my shop BernardMiniatures.fr. I have more than 1,500 miniatures in stock, mostly 1:43 scale, mainly cars from 1950 to 1999. Okay, I'm not a big site, so I often only have one or two of each model, but that's also part of the charm. I obviously have a few Porsche 911s that are really worth a look—different generations, different liveries, civilian models as well as racing versions. Delivery is free from €75 in France, and I make sure to wrap everything well with bubble wrap because these little wonders break easily. Go take a look at bernardminiatures.fr if you're interested - you'll see, I have something to satisfy all vintage car enthusiasts.
Now, let's get back to our full-size 911s and their technical evolution...
Technical revolutions
The switch to water cooling in 1998 with the 996 generation made purists grind their teeth. But Porsche was right to evolve . Anti-pollution standards were getting stricter, competition was getting tougher, and the engine block needed to be modernized.
And frankly, who can say today that the 996, 997, 991 and 992 are less "Porsche" than their predecessors? They have retained this unique personality, this very particular character which makes us recognize a 911 by its sound, by its way of taking turns, by this unique sensation at the wheel.
What fascinates me most is Porsche's ability to evolve the 911 without ever betraying it. Look at the current 992: it may have 450 base horsepower, a state-of-the-art multimedia system and sophisticated driving aids, but it remains fundamentally a 911. The silhouette, the architecture, the spirit: it's all there.
The 911 in competition: a life-size laboratory
But the 911's real strength, its secret, is competition. More than two-thirds of the 30,000 titles won by Porsche have been won by 911 models. Now that's quite a track record.
From the 1967 911 R to the current 911 RSR, including the legendary 935s of the 1970s, racing has always been the 911's testing ground . Every innovation tested in racing ends up on production models. Aerodynamics, suspension, brakes, engines: everything goes through the circuit before arriving in our garages.
And it makes sense, really. Ferry Porsche said it from the start: he wanted a car that was both a racing sports car and an everyday driver. Sixty years later, the bet has paid off.
A timeless design
What really excites me about the 911 is that its design hasn't aged a bit . Look at a 1963 911 and a 2024 992: sixty years apart, and yet you can immediately recognize the lineage.
This silhouette, created by Butzi Porsche at the age of 24, has withstood all fashions and all changes in taste. SUVs have invaded the market? The 911 remains. Electric cars are coming? The 911 adapts, with the Taycan as its electric cousin, but retains its combustion engine.
Moreover, it has become the aesthetic reference for the entire Porsche range . From the Cayenne to the Panamera and the Macan, all of the brand's models are inspired by the visual codes of the 911. Round headlights, sloping roofline, balanced proportions: the 911 DNA is everywhere.
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60 years old and still in the race
Today, in 2024, the Porsche 911 is 60 years old and it has never been more desirable . More than 1.3 million units produced, eight generations, hundreds of different versions, and still that unique ability to inspire dreams.
What amazes me is that Porsche has managed to preserve the essence of the 911 while adapting it to each era. The 70s and the oil crisis? The 911 survived. The 80s and anti-pollution standards? It adapted. The 90s and globalization? It conquered new markets. The 2000s and digitalization? It integrated new technologies.
And now, faced with the challenge of electrification, Porsche is already preparing the future of the 911. There's no question of electrifying it too quickly - the engineers in Zuffenhausen know that their customers aren't ready. But they're working on synthetic fuels, intelligent hybridizations, solutions that will allow the 911 to survive this new automotive revolution.
Because that's the real lesson of these 60 years: the 911 doesn't undergo changes, it anticipates them . It remains faithful to its principles while adapting to the constraints of its time. A subtle balance that few manufacturers master as well.
Ultimately, the Porsche 911 is more than just a car. It's proof that you can stay true to your values while evolving with the times. It's the story of a family of enthusiasts who created something universal. And above all, it's a demonstration that in the automotive world, the most beautiful stories are those that last .
Sixty years after its unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the little 901 that became the 911 continues to inspire dreams. And I have the feeling that this is only the beginning of the story.
