Porsche: Cars with Soul

309 Pages·2017·74.24 MB·English

by  Gui Bernardes

GUI BERNARDES
THE CROWOOD PRESS
First published in 2017 by The Crowood Press Ltd
Ramsbury, Marlborough
Wiltshire SN8 2HR
www.crowood.com
This e-book first published in 2017
© Gui Bernardes 2017
All rights reserved. This e-book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred,
distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in
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accordingly.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the
British Library.
ISBN 978 1 78500 321 9
Photographic acknowledgements
All photographs are from the Porsche Archives, apart from the following: Gui Bernardes: pages 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 162, 164 (bottom), 166 (top), 167 (bottom), 169, 178, 181, 182, 183,
184, 185, 200 and 201
Jorge Bernardes: pages 2, 161, 163, 164 (top), 165, 166 (bottom), 167 (top), 168, 170, 171 and 172
Franco Lini (The GP Library): page 95
Jeff Zwart: page 147
Rupert Berrington: pages 149 and 150
David Colman: back cover and page 139
CONTENTS
Dedication
Acknowledgements
1. LOOKING FOR PORSCHE ‘DNA’ ORIGINS
2. THE BEGINNING
3. GOING INTO RACING: THE 1950s
4. NEW CHALLENGES WITH NEW CARS: THE 1960s
5. THE GOLDEN ERA: THE 1970s AND 1980s
6. PORSCHE: MORE THAN JUST CARS
Notes
Bibliography
Index
DEDICATION
To my grandson Tomás, who is a dear autistic 10-year-old boy, hoping that one
day he can read and understand this book about the cars he already recognizes
and admires.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
When I decided to write a book about Porsche, I was conscious that I would
have to walk a long way and overcome the normal difficulties for anyone who is
doing it for the first time.
I knew that I would need some help in different areas, but I was certain that
the passion I have for the brand and the will to make this dream come true would
certainly open some doors.
So I want to thank all those who in one way or another opened those doors
for me: friends and Porsche enthusiasts who encouraged me to go on with my
plans, when I had so many doubts in my mind; and mainly the Porsche
Historical Archive in the persons of Jens Torner and Dieter Landenberger, who
kindly gave me access to relevant information and provided most of the photos
for the book.
Gui Bernardes
CHAPTER ONE

LOOKING FOR PORSCHE ‘DNA’
ORIGINS
19 JANUARY 2014, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
It is not particularly cold on that Sunday morning when I approach Autoworld’s
building in Brussels, but the excitement of being about to see and touch some of
the wonders created by Ferdinand Porsche and his successors almost makes me
tremble with emotion as I cross the doorway crowned by the four Ferdinands.
Having bought the ticket, I climb the metallic staircase that accesses the first
floor where the expo is happening and what I see at a first glance confirms that
the 1,250-mile (2,000km) trip that brought me here was well worth it. In a
simple, but very well-achieved scenario, under soft and warm lighting, one can
see a few dozen vehicles, which, for a lover of the Porsche brand, represent all of
its history of genius, innovation, perseverance, style and success in automobile
industry and motor sport.
The expo is divided into four zones, each one dedicated to its own Ferdinand.
In the space pertaining to the founder, one can see magnificent examples of his
technical expertise, in the diverse marques in which he worked before founding
Porsche, such as a Lohner Mixte Hybrid model from 1901. This was the first
hybrid car, with electrical engines on the front wheels powered by an electrical
generator, which was in turn moved by a combustion engine.
There is a shining Austro-Daimler Prinz Heinrich model from 1910, in its
immaculate white, which dominated the race for which it had been specially
conceived, conquering the first three positions, with the victorious one being
driven by Ferdinand Porsche himself.
Autoworld main entrance with posters announcing the exhibition.