Ferdinand Porsche
Ferdinand Porsche loved the electrical and mechanical world from a very young age. With his passion, he sought out to pursue a job at an electrical company and with his diligent work ethic; he quickly worked his way up and learned a lot along the way. “In 1923, he moved to the Stuttgart-based Daimler-Motoren-Gesllschaft company, becoming a technical manager and executive board member. There, his career highlights included overseeing the construction of the Mercedes compressor car” (Biography). Later he moved to the division of Benz that was in Stuttgart, Germany. Soon after, Hitler appointed Porsche to create a people’s car commonly known as the Volkswagen beetle. Then, he was asked to produce tanks for the German army for WWI. Unfortunately, his plans were not used to build the tanks but were great exploration into drive systems for tanks.
Porsche, an engineer and automaker, started producing vehicles “in the aftermath of World War II… which at the time, [he] was only involved in consulting and vehicle development, [he] began working on its first ever production car. On June 8, 1948, the 356 was approved for road use, marking the beginning of a design legacy that has redefined the modern sports car” (Holland). Though Porsche took a different approach that those who came before him, he employed keys principles that Ford had produced nearly fifty year earlier. Porsche, like Ford, used an assembly line to make sure his cars were efficiently produced; and like Ford, he envisioned a car that would last forever with interchangeable parts like the model T. Though the idea of interchangeable part was common during Porsche’s time, he took it a step further than Ford ever did and faced his own challenges. By the time Porsche started his production, they were already a commodity. Everyone owned a car, and had evolved a lot from the original model T. The “giants” of the industry were proven such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. It looked like Porsche would not have a chance against these giants and their large share on the market; yet, he was driven to produce something that would have the same pedigree of prestige as the other vehicles right off the assembly line.
Porsche had an impressive background in engineering, though no formal education. However, that did not stop him from producing a car that would be known to be the best engineered of all time. Porsche “had an affinity for technology, and was especially intrigued by electricity” (Biography). He is also credited for creating the first electric and gas vehicle known today as a hybrid. His dream was for a well-engineered car that would last and outlive its owners. He set out to create a car with cutting-edge technology, driving the future. Powerful enough to be fun, to drive quickly, and precisely around a track. To have enough seats for an entire family. So, the Porsche was to be an all-around perfect vehicle. The epitome of German engineering. Porsche could not have produced his legendary car without the help of those around him. Like Ford, he had help from friends and family with one of them being the crazed dictator and most famous individual in WWII, Adolf Hitler. Hitler had a large influence in the creation of the Porsche.
Porsche’s first vehicle was the Porsche 64. Made in 1939, the design of it was based off the Volkswagen beetle platform. This one however, was made to be more powerful, lighter, and more aerodynamic than the beetle. These factors became the foundation in which Porsche based the design of his legendary vehicle, and the same foundation factors used today. These factors were implemented in what later became the Porsche 911. The Porsche 911, formerly known as the Porsche 901. The reason for the name change was due to France threatening to sue Porsche over the name as they had the rights to all car names that had a zero between two other numbers. The Porsche 911 is one of the best-designed vehicles in history. The current 911 design still looks like the original even after fifty plus years. The car has hardly changed by design standards. The design principles behind the 911 are the Bauhaus style, which was developed by the Bauhaus school in Germany in the 1930s. This style centered on geometric shapes and simplicity as clearly seen in the Porsche 911. After the breakthrough design of the Porsche 911, Ferdinand decided to work with his son on all further models. The 911 is one of the most recognized cars in history. One could show anyone the outline of the 911 and they could tell you without a doubt that they are looking at a Porsche.
The 911 featured and air-cooled engine for over forty years, which was a feature that set it apart from many other vehicles of its time. Most vehicles by this time were water-cooled, so they could produce more power. The 911 was also mid-engine. This placement of the engine is crucial for balancing the vehicle while in motion. The 911s air-cooled engine directly powered its rear wheels, to avoid oversteering in corners. The combination was perfect for a little car that was to dominate the world of driving. The Porsche 911 is a renowned driving car among enthusiasts. The general population tends to hold the 911 in high regard. Even the older models are sought after over their modern counterparts. The old 911s are holding true to the old mantra of Porsche that “a car last forever”. Some mechanics have said that Porsche cars “[are] very reliable, like scary reliable” (Benton). The visceral feel that derives from a Porsche 911 is something many driver search for and find it in 911s. A 911 is truly a timeless car and it is a model that is loved around the world for its design, engineering, and responsiveness when driven. The 911 It is truly a car that combines all the best aspects of what a vehicle can be leaving “the 911 [to remain] an unimpeachable icon, an object of automotive passion and desire”(Noordeloos).