DOCSLIB.ORG

The Death of Professor Dr. Ing. H.C. Ferdinand Anton Ernst (Ferry) Porsche in March of 1998 Meant Bidding Farewell to One of the Last Greats of Automotive History

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Death of Professor Dr. Ing. H.C. Ferdinand Anton Ernst (Ferry) Porsche in March of 1998 Meant Bidding Farewell to One of the Last Greats of Automotive History Page 18 Christophorus 339 Christophorus 339 Page 19 FERRY PORSCHE 100 By Photos by Dieter Landenberger Porsche Archive His Life’s Work The death of Professor Dr. Ing. h.c. Ferdinand Anton Ernst (Ferry) Porsche in March of 1998 meant bidding farewell to one of the last greats of automotive history. Under his leadership in 1948, the first sports car with the name of Porsche appeared, and for decades he strongly determined the course of the company, including 1958 Ferry Porsche in the assembly hall of Plant 2 in Zuffenhausen, advocating its independence. We present a series of reminiscences to mark the standing before 356 A series vehicles 100th anniversary of his birth on September 19, 2009. Page 20 Christophorus 339 Christophorus 339 Page 21 1936 Ferry Porsche enjoys driving the Beetle: At the wheel of a Volkswagen prototype on the market square in Tübingen 1956 1956 Father and son (Ferdinand Alexander) Sports-car fan Ferry Porsche in the pit lane with in New York the 550 A coupes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1964 1950 1953 1997 The man with the hat: Ferdinand Senior and Ferry Junior have a father-son talk Porsche at Porsche Plant 2—with a 356 featuring Ferry Porsche also enjoys driving a Boxster, because Ferry Porsche at the Porsche villa a center-creased windshield “the latest car is always the most beautiful” 1956 Boss and designers: Porsche (right) with Heinz Rabe (left) and Erwin Komenda 1996 Ferry Porsche celebrates the one-millionth 911 with Wendelin Wiedeking (left) and Baden-Würt- temberg’s Minister President Erwin Teufel (right) 1955 Design engineer Porsche with the legendary Carrera engine 1948 1953 1968 The son (Ferry) with his father (right) and Erwin Komenda (left) Combined expertise: Ferry Porsche (right) The inventor and his sports car: next to the “number 1” in Gmünd, Carinthia with Huschke von Hanstein in Le Mans Ferry Porsche with the 911 Page 22 Christophorus 339 Christophorus 339 Page 23 FERRY PORSCHE when he signed a contract on September 17, 1948, with Volks- decade and a half, the 356 had become a revered modern clas- 100 wagen on VW component supply and VW distribution network sic. A well-directed stream of self-examination accelerated his usage. Ferry Porsche also had VW agree to pay a license fee for wish for evolution: “There is no such thing as the perfect car. “The Porsche embodies my every Beetle that it built, in recognition of the fact that the car But as engineers and designers, we have to do everything in our philosophy of individual freedom had been developed before the war by Porsche. This agreement power to approach this ideal.” Once the decision was made, it with VW brought security for the young Porsche company, es- was easy for him to stick to it: “We simply built the car that we of motion—which should pecially in financial terms. The foundation was now laid for felt was right.” serve humanity, not burden it.” Porsche KG to expand as a sports-car maker, and this was the re- sult of Ferry Porsche’s own philosophy. He was known to say the The decision for the 911 designed by his eldest son, Ferdinand following: “There are countless books with formulas on how to Alexander, was visionary, given that the car differed both in achieve success, and they contain all manner of good ideas. I’ve style and in technical fundamentals from everything that had never read any of them.” At the same time, his own approach come before. The fact that Ferry Porsche recognized the future was summed up in statements such as “Progress has to be rea- potential of the uncompromisingly innovative 911 design is one sonable,” and “You can’t force things in life. There is little that I of his greatest accomplishments. Behind it was a very personal detest more than force.” wish: “If you manage to create something that withstands time, One of the quotes Ferry Porsche is best remembered for is, “To something that remains untouched by the eccentricities of a par- have earned the affection of boys is to possess a great emotional An important factor in the success of the young Porsche compa- ticular age—something timeless, in other words—that is the treasure.” When he himself was a boy, he already possessed an ny was also its early readiness to export. Ferry Porsche was al- greatest achievement.” enormous store of genuine automotive genes. But being the son of ready shipping the first cars to America in 1950. The Porsche the world-famous design engineer Ferdinand Porsche also meant 356 won the hearts of sports-car drivers in the largest and most The success of the 911 series was based on the model policy of Ferdinand Anton Ernst having to emerge from the shadow of his brilliant father to find his important market in the world and, not least of all, caught the constant evolution, which eventually developed the 911 into an own place in the automotive world. Not an easy undertaking, attention of many Hollywood stars. With models like the 356 ideal sports car. But Ferry Porsche also showed openness to new (Ferry) Porsche yet a fruitful path as it turned out. When the design office was Speedster, Ferry Porsche instinctively responded to the wishes ideas. As chairman of the Supervisory Board, he continued to founded in 1931, he participated from the very beginning in of American consumers, who accounted for half of total annual influence the company’s course. He was pleased to have his en- all the projects and the ever more extensive contracts at Porsche production by 1955. He held a strong conviction that people gineers excite and persuade him with their ideas. On developing GmbH. Surrounded by top-notch engineers, Ferry Porsche learned and cars are meant for each other. “Cars offered enormous free- types 914, 924, and 928, Porsche left familiar waters—not Born: September 19, 1909, Wiener Neustadt (Austria) quickly, and in a short time advanced from an apprentice to the dom. And that freedom, I think, has changed people.” This always to the delight of the company’s die-hard customers. But Died: March 27, 1998, Zell am See (Austria) junior boss. Ferdinand Porsche demanded a lot of his son, but view of life also had its playful sides: “You can tell people’s these models also contributed to the company’s success; after Marital status: Married Dorothea Reitz (1911–1985) in 1935; also gave him opportunities, such as running the driving tests for characters by the way they drive.” all, every second Porsche produced in the 1980s was a front- four sons: Ferdinand Alexander (born 1935), Gerhard (born 1938), the Volkswagen Beetle in 1935, and directing the test department engine sports car. Ferry Porsche’s love of freedom knew hardly Hans-Peter (born 1940), and Wolfgang (born 1943) in 1938. When his father was detained by the French in 1945, In addition to exporting, Ferry Porsche also was passionate any limits, except for this one: “You may always modify a Ferry took over responsibility for the company, guiding it through about racing, which served as a catalyst for the success of the Porsche, but its character and inimitable quality must be An engineer and entrepreneur, Ferry Porsche was the son of the au- the turmoil of the early postwar years. A metaphorical “knight- Porsche brand. Instead of doing advertising or marketing, he maintained.” tomotive designer Ferdinand Porsche. He turned his father’s design hood” by his father followed in 1947, when on returning home wanted his sports cars to speak for themselves by racing to victo- office into the Porsche sports-car maker, and gave the 356 its orig- the professor examined the Cisitalia racing car developed com- ry before the eyes of spectators. Racing also meant constant tech- In his later years, Ferry Porsche saw his company enter a cri- inal form. He was the managing director of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche pletely under the direction of his son and announced that he nical advances, because the experience gathered there flowed di- sis that threatened its very existence. But when Porsche, too, KG until the Porsche family withdrew from company operations would not have placed a single screw differently. rectly into perfecting standard road models—which sharpened became a takeover candidate, he was adamant in emphasizing in 1972. Ferry Porsche then directed the Supervisory Board of the competitive spirit of this passionate engineer. “There has the importance of independence. Against losing hope he had Porsche AG and became its honorary chairman. Shortly thereafter, Ferry Porsche made a historical decision that never been a quiescent point in the evolution of the automobile. this to say: “It all comes down to never giving up, and to re- demonstrated boldness in both technology and business. On We face many problems today, and once we’ve solved those, sponding to crises with the right answers.” When the company June 8, 1948, the first sports car carrying the Porsche name, the we’ll face many new ones. We will keep on striving for perfec- succeeded in turning around economically under the direction 356 “number 1,” received its road authorization. The risk tak- tion. Motorsports has always been able to make important con- of CEO Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking, he saw his life’s work regain thing behind which shows that we were here and that we accom- en by the company was astonishing. All of Europe was trying tributions to solving these problems, and will continue to do so the path to success. With his death on March 27, 1998, an era plished something of meaning.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Porsche Design Presents Unique Custom-Built Timepieces Program
    Press Release July 2020 Porsche Design presents unique custom-built Timepieces program Individualized watches bring Porsche sports car excitement to the wrist Stuttgart. With the launch of a revolutionary program based on production principles utilized in Porsche sports car manufacturing, Porsche Design is taking the creation of exclusive Swiss wristwatches to the next level with the Porsche Design custom-built Timepieces program. This is the first time the concept of a fully customized timepiece, perfectly tailored to match one’s dream Porsche , will enter into series production. The centerpiece: The Porsche Design watch configurator The menu navigation and overall design of the new watch configurator are based on the well- established Porsche car configurator. Just like the Porsche 911 range, the watch is digitally visualized down to the smallest detail to provide customers with a realistic depiction of their dream timepiece. "The rendering model is based on CAD data from our designers at Studio F. A. Porsche in Zell am See and our engineers in Solothurn," says Rolf Bergmann, Managing Director of Porsche Design Timepieces AG. The features, including the pricing for each re- spective configuration, are displayed in real time. A basic custom-built Timepiece starts at $6,000 USD and, depending on the options selected, can range up to $12,500 and includes up to three additional leather straps. Orders are placed exclusively through Porsche dealers and delivery will take eight to 12 weeks. The program will be launched with all participating Porsche dealers in Germany on July 1, 2020, followed by the UK and U.S. on September 1, 2020.
    [Show full text]
  • The Porsche Type List
    The Porsche Type List When Professor Ferdinand Porsche started his business, the company established a numeric record of projects known as the Type List. As has been reported many times in the past, the list began with Type 7 so that Wanderer-Werke AG did not realize they were the company’s first customer. Of course, as a result, Porsche’s famous car, the 356 as defined on the Type List, was actually Porsche’s 350th design project. In reviewing the Porsche Type List enclosed on this website, you might notice several interesting aspects. First, although there is a strong chronological alignment of Type numbers, it is certainly not perfect. No official explanation exists as to why this occurs. It is possible that Type numbers were originally treated only as an informal configuration and data management tool and today’s rigorous examination of Porsche history is but an aberration of 20/20 hindsight. Secondly, you might also notice that there were variations on Type List numbers that were probably made rather spontaneously. For example, consider the Type 60 with its many “K” variations to designate different body styles. Also consider how the Type 356 was initially a tube frame chassis then changed to a sheet metal chassis with the annotation 356/2 but the /2 later reused to describe different body/engine offerings. Then there were the variants on the 356 annotated as 356 SL, 356A, 356B, and 356C designations and in parallel there were the 356 T1 through 356 T7 designations. Not to mention, of course, the trademark infringement threat that caused the Type 901 to be externally re-designated as the 911.
    [Show full text]
  • Separate Financial Statements Fiscal Year 2019
    201Separate financial9 statements PPorscheorsche TaycanTaycan TurboTurbo S 3 Content Group management report and management report of Porsche Automobil Holding SE 6 Fundamental information about the group 10 Report on economic position 12 Significant events and developments at the Porsche SE Group 12 Significant events and developments at the Volkswagen Group 20 Business development 24 Results of operations, financial position and net assets 31 Porsche Automobil Holding SE (financial statements pursuant to the German Commercial Code) 37 Sustainable value enhancement in the Porsche SE Group 41 Overall statement on the economic situation of Porsche SE and the Porsche SE Group 43 Remuneration report 44 Opportunities and risks of future development 52 Publication of the declaration of compliance and corporate governance report 78 Subsequent events 79 Forecast report and outlook 80 Glossary 85 4 Financials 86 Balance sheet of Porsche Automobil Holding SE 90 Income statement of Porsche Automobil Holding SE 91 Notes to the consolidated fi nancial statements 92 Independent auditor’s report 212 Responsibility statement 220 5 VVolkswagenolkswagen IID.3D.3 6 1 Group management report and management report of Porsche Automobil Holding SE 7 8 Group management report and management report of Porsche Automobil Holding SE 6 Fundamental information about the group 10 Report on economic position 12 Significant events and developments at the Porsche SE Group 12 Significant events and developments at the Volkswagen Group 20 Business development 24 Results
    [Show full text]
  • The History of the Porsche Engineering Office the Porsche Sports Car Brand Began in 1948 When the First Vehicle to Carry the Porsche Name Was Built
    newsroom Company Oct 10, 2017 The history of the Porsche engineering office The Porsche sports car brand began in 1948 when the first vehicle to carry the Porsche name was built. Ferdinand Porsche founded his engineering office in 1931. Working until his death in 1951, the exceptionally creative technician, formerly a designer of electric cars and racing cars and the chief developer at Daimler-Benz, laid the foundations for the global company that would later bear the same name. Today, in September 2017, the founding, philosophy and development of Porsche’s predecessor company has been documented in great detail in the book “Porsche: Vom Konstruktionsbüro zur Weltmarke” (“Porsche: From Engineering office to Global Brand”) from publisher Siedler Verlag. The renowned historian Wolfram Pyta tells the story of Porsche GmbH/KG in its turbulent early years: from the origins of the Volkswagen to the transition to a wartime economy under National Socialism and the development of battle tanks, right up to the establishment of the automotive brand carrying the Porsche name. The book outlines the direction in which the creative dynamics of Porsche's founding years under National Socialism led the company, why the company had to undergo a fresh start after the war without its founder and how the global company ultimately emerged from the engineering office of old. Page 1 of 5 Ferdinand Porsche 1937 with a Volkswagen prototype of the series W30 The book devotes particular attention to studying the role of Professor Ferdinand Porsche under National Socialism. The success story of Porsche’s engineering office is closely linked to the “Third Reich” and Adolf Hitler himself.
    [Show full text]
  • The New 911 GT3 RS and the 911 GT3
    The new 911 GT3 RS and the 911 GT3 Platzhalter Origin: motorsport 6 The 911 GT3 8 The new 911 GT3 RS 20 Drive 34 Chassis 48 Safety 58 Comfort 68 Environment 76 Personalisation 80 Motorsport 94 Service 104 Summary 106 Technical data 108 Index 114 I More than 50 years of At Porsche, we have always The resulting integration of driver With the 911GT3 models, we have Origin: motorsport racing heritage based our success on two and car is at the root of our many applied these principles once I More than 28,000 victories fundamental principles: technical achievements. Key among these more. Using race technology to I Uncompromising race engineering innovation and its consistent are more than 28,000 racing achieve uncompromising results I Every car designed exclusively application to the genuine needs victories in less than 60 years. in both everyday road driving around the driver of the driver. and full competition use. The new 911 GT3 RS and 911 GT3. Origin: motorsport. I 3.6-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine The 911 GT3 is designed driving. One of the most tangible Feedback from the road is The 911 GT3 I Lightweight 19-inch GT3 primarily for the road – by benefits of its motorsport origins detailed and direct, while every alloy wheels Porsche race engineers. Although is the intuitive connection between driver input is immediately I Road-approved exclusively track-derived, it is man and machine. The sense of implemented with equal clarity high-performance tyres perfectly well suited to the varied integration is so complete that and precision.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Financial Statements of Volkswagen AG 1
    Balance Sheet Annual Financial Statements of Volkswagen AG 1 Annual Financial Statements of Volkswagen AG Balance Sheet of Volkswagen AG as of December 31, 2018 € million Note Dec. 31, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 Assets Fixed assets Intangible assets 1 230 269 Tangible assets 1 6,731 6,972 Long-term financial assets 1 112,752 106,462 119,713 113,703 Current assets Inventories 2 5,140 4,889 Receivables and other assets 3 36,895 32,192 Cash-in-hand and bank balances 4 14,595 5,798 56,630 42,880 Prepaid expenses 70 111 Total assets 176,412 156,693 Equity and Liabilities Equity Subscribed capital 5 1,283 1,283 Ordinary shares 755 755 Preferred shares 528 528 Contingent capital - - Capital reserve 6 15,021 15,021 Revenue reserves 7 14,367 11,953 Net retained profits 2,419 2,181 33,090 30,438 Special tax-allowable reserves 8 19 21 Provisions 9 39,870 39,930 Liabilities 10 102,308 85,064 Deferred income 11 1,126 1,240 Total equity and liabilities 176,412 156,693 2 Annual Financial Statements of Volkswagen AG Income Statement Income Statement of Volkswagen AG for the Period January 1 to December 31, 2018 € million Note 2018 2017 Sales 12 78,001 76,729 Cost of sales – 72,700 – 73,355 Gross profit on sales 5,301 3,375 Distribution expenses – 5,760 – 5,677 General and administrative expenses – 1,865 – 1,426 Other operating income 13 5,673 6,451 Other operating expenses 14 – 6,089 – 6,605 Financial result 15 8,264 8,644 Write-downs of long-term financial assets and securities classified as current assets - 0 Taxes on income – 907 – 409 Earnings after taxes 4,620 4,353 Net income / loss for the year 4,620 4,353 Notes to the annual financial statements Annual Financial Statements of Volkswagen AG 3 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements of Volkswagen AG for the Period ended December 31, 2018 Financial statements in accordance with the German Commercial Code Volkswagen AG is domiciled in Wolfsburg, Germany, and entered in the commercial register at the Braun- schweig Local Court under no.
    [Show full text]
  • Le Mans 1998 – the Anniversary Victory
    Le Mans 1998 – the anniversary victory Porsche celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding with victory in Le Mans, overcoming stiff competition from Mercedes, BMW and Toyota. Driven by Allan McNish, Laurent Aïello and Stéphane Ortelli, the 911 GT1 ’98 secured Porsche’s 16th overall victory in Le Mans. The strength of the starting field led Porsche race director Herbert Ampferer to describe it as the ‘race of the century’. A crowd of at least 250,000 attended the 1998 edition of the classic race, with Porsche not looking much like a winner in the opening stages. An AMG-Mercedes took the lead early on and the BMWs were also setting a good pace, but engine trouble and problems with the wheel bearings forced the cars from both teams to retire. The Porsche 911 GT1 ’98 models were built with a focus on durability rather than recording the quickest lap times. The engineer Norbert Singer noted the gearbox as an example of this phenomenon, as rival Toyota took greater risks than Porsche in its design and trusted that this would enable them to perform a gearbox change within a few short minutes. By the early hours of Sunday morning, the quickest Toyota and the two Porsches – one driven by Allan McNish, Laurent Aïello and Stéphane Ortelli, the other by Jörg Müller, Uwe Alzen and Bob Wollek – were almost neck-and- neck. However, both cars from Weissach then lost time in the pits. Jörg Müller gave his team a lot of work to do after spinning into the gravel, with the entire crew descending on the Porsche to perform repairs.
    [Show full text]
  • Porsche Engineering Magazine
    PE_Magazin_2-08_EN:PE_Magazin_S4-9_RZ 03.10.08 15:39 Seite 1 Issue 2/2008 Porsche Engineering Magazine Carrera model range What’s around the corner? Impressive technology Porsche lighting technology red dot design award Sailing into the future Success all along the line The Porsche Cayenne hybrid is on its way PE_Magazin_2-08_EN:PE_Magazin_S4-9_RZ 03.10.08 15:39 Seite 2 Editorial Contents Dear Readers, Contents News 4 About Porsche Engineering The future thrives on curiosity. And curiosity is our stock-in-trade. Our thirst for knowledge drives us onward. Our motto: We start off where others stop. Porsche hybrid 5 We also keep a close eye on our customers’ Sails are set for the future individual goals. Product Design 9 Curiosity certainly got the better of our new Porsche Doppelkupplung helps to Design in keeping with the 911 engineers, for example, when they devel- reduce emissions. And just what is behind oped the condensation test stand for the technology used in the new Carrera ADA. Porsche Engineering made a sig- with direct fuel injection. nificant contribution to environmental Industrial Engineering 12 protection here, which will benefit all the The latest technology always needs an Complete vehicle development – automotive manufacturers involved. Natu- appealing, attractive look. Shape, colour something entirely different rally, environmental protection is a parti- and function – that’s what Porsche cu larly important factor in our day-to-day Design is all about. In this issue, we also development work. show you where and how the design Carrera model range 15 needs of industrial Porsche customers The new Porsche Doppelkupplung In the second last issue of the Engineer- are met.
    [Show full text]
  • Download PDF, 19 Pages, 505.25 KB
    VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT Shareholdings of Volkswagen AG and the Volkswagen Group in accordance with sections 285 and 313 of the HGB and presentation of the companies included in Volkswagen's consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS 12 as of 31.12.2019 Exchange rate VW AG 's interest Equity Profit/loss (1€ =) in capital in % in thousands, in thousands, Name and domicile of company Currency Dec. 31, 2019 Direct Indirect Total local currency local currency Footnote Year I. PARENT COMPANY VOLKSWAGEN AG, Wolfsburg II. SUBSIDIARIES A. Consolidated companies 1. Germany ASB Autohaus Berlin GmbH, Berlin EUR - 100.00 100.00 16,272 1,415 2018 AUDI AG, Ingolstadt EUR 99.64 - 99.64 13,701,699 - 1) 2019 Audi Berlin GmbH, Berlin EUR - 100.00 100.00 9,971 - 1) 2018 Audi Electronics Venture GmbH, Gaimersheim EUR - 100.00 100.00 60,968 - 1) 2019 Audi Frankfurt GmbH, Frankfurt am Main EUR - 100.00 100.00 8,477 - 1) 2018 Audi Hamburg GmbH, Hamburg EUR - 100.00 100.00 13,425 - 1) 2018 Audi Hannover GmbH, Hanover EUR - 100.00 100.00 16,621 - 1) 2018 AUDI Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Ingolstadt EUR - 100.00 100.00 82,470 3,399 2019 AUDI Immobilien Verwaltung GmbH, Ingolstadt EUR - 100.00 100.00 114,355 1,553 2019 Audi Leipzig GmbH, Leipzig EUR - 100.00 100.00 9,525 - 1) 2018 Audi München GmbH, Munich EUR - 100.00 100.00 270 - 1) 2018 Audi Real Estate GmbH, Ingolstadt EUR - 100.00 100.00 9,859 4,073 2019 Audi Sport GmbH, Neckarsulm EUR - 100.00 100.00 100 - 1) 2019 Audi Stuttgart GmbH, Stuttgart EUR - 100.00 100.00 6,677 - 1) 2018 Auto & Service PIA GmbH, Munich EUR - 100.00 100.00 19,895 - 1) 2018 Autonomous Intelligent Driving GmbH, Munich EUR - 100.00 100.00 250 - 1) 2018 Autostadt GmbH, Wolfsburg EUR 100.00 - 100.00 50 - 1) 2018 B.
    [Show full text]
  • Audi's Le Mans Return Is Shaping Up
    Audi MediaInfo Audi’s Le Mans return is shaping up • Concept stage for new Audi sports prototype largely completed • Close cooperation with fellow group brand Porsche • First race planned for January 2023 at the Daytona 24 Hours Neuburg a. d. Donau, April 29, 2021 – Audi will return to Le Mans and to sports prototype racing with an electrified sports car in the 2023 season. The successor to the successful Audi R18 is already taking shape. “The new LMDh category fits perfectly with our new set-up in motorsport,” says Julius Seebach, Managing Director Audi Sport GmbH and responsible for Motorsport at Audi. “The regulations allow us to field fascinating race cars in prestigious races worldwide. In addition, we are making use of synergies inside the Volkswagen Group with our partner strategy.” The successor to the Audi R18 is being built in close cooperation with the brands’s sister company Porsche. “A great strengh of the Volkswagen Group is the collaboration of the brands in the development of road cars,” says Seebach. “We are now transferring this proven model to motorsport. Nevertheless, the new sports prototype will be just as much a genuine Audi as the Audi RS e-tron GT that was launched recently and has also been developed on a platform shared with Porsche.” The sports prototype for the new LMDh category is currently being created at Audi Sport in parallel with the innovative SUV for the Dakar Rally. “Of course, the Dakar team is under greater time pressure, because there are only just under eight months left until our first participation in the Dakar Rally in January 2022,” says Andreas Roos, who is responsible for all factory motorsport commitments at Audi Sport.
    [Show full text]
  • Tilman Brodbeck Remembers
    www.porscheroadandrace.com Tilman Brodbeck remembers Published: 12th January 2018 By: Kieron Fennelly Online version: https://www.porscheroadandrace.com/tilman-brodbeck-remembers/ Tilman Brodbeck poses with a 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Coupé (left) and a 911 Sport Classic (right) – 21 September 2009 To be able to write on your résumé that you worked for one of Porsche’s CEOs would be quite an achievement. Tilman Brodbeck can however do a little better than that, for in a 40- year career, he was assistant to no fewer than five successive Porsche presidents. But, as he tells us, he held other posts too. When he started at Zuffenhausen, the company was still ruled by Ferry Porsche, whose nephew and Technical Director Ferdinand Piëch, was literally snapping at his heels. www.porscheroadandrace.com Ferry Porsche www.porscheroadandrace.com Unlike many of his contemporaries who went to Stuttgart University to complete their education, Tilman Brodbeck went further afield, to Darmstadt 100 miles to the north, for his engineering studies: “I wanted to get away from home,” he smiles revealing the slightly nonconformist streak that runs through much of his thinking. His speciality at Darmstadt was in airflow techniques, a subject then very little developed. Tilman’s background meant that after he joined Porsche he was promoted to body project engineer. “One of my tasks was on the 924 (Porsche’s first front engined model) where getting sufficient cooling air to the engine was quite a challenge within the overall shape we wanted for the car.” Prior to this though and before even being assigned a title, Brodbeck had had to prove himself: he was handed the daunting responsibility of resolving the 911’s tendency to lift its front end at high speed.
    [Show full text]
  • The Porsche 911
    The Porsche 911 The Porsche 911 has been regarded as an automotive icon and sports car par excellence for over five decades. It has been inspiring car enthusiasts the world over since its debut as the 901 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in 1963. Today it is considered the quintessential sports car, the benchmark for all others. The 911 is also the central point of reference for all other Porsche series. Every Porsche is the sportiest car in its category, and each one carries a piece of the 911 philosophy. The model line has been continually enhanced since its debut in 1963. However, the unique character of the model, renamed 911 in 1964, has always been preserved. Now, the modern classic has reached a new milestone: since 1963, more than one million units of the 911 have been produced in Stuttgart- Zuffenhausen. This might sound a lot, but in reality it is very little: many premium manufacturers produce more than twice as many vehicles in a single year. In other words, the Porsche 911 was, is and shall remain an exclusive sports car. The distinctive character of the 911 is also reflected in its customer base. Numerous well-known artists, actors, fashion designers, sportsmen/women and entrepreneurs throughout the world have become enthusiastic 911 drivers, some of whom have remained faithful to the sports car series for many decades. And the Porsche 911 has also made many appearances in films and on TV. As leading actor and co-producer, Steve McQueen paid a resounding tribute to the 911 in his 1970 film masterpiece “Le Mans”.
    [Show full text]