Stuttgart, Germany. The Car Guide had the privilege of attending the 75th anniversary of the Porsche brand. Only a few hand-picked journalists have been invited, and we are very happy to be able to report to you on this event of the utmost importance for the brand.
The celebrations took place on June 8th. Why on this specific date? Because it was on this day that the Porsche 356/01, the first car made by Ferry Porsche and his team, received its homologation certificate. A key date, which marks the starting point of an adventure that continues successfully today. However, the beginnings could not have been more artisanal.
Photo: Porsche AG
Indeed, shortly after the end of the Second World War, Ferry Porsche wanted to manufacture his own sports car. He imagines rather ambitious projects, but is forced to use the Volkswagen Beetle as a base because of the many shortages of raw materials that hit Europe. It was in a former Austrian sawmill, in Gmünd, that the first Porsche 356 was born. The cars are all hand made. It will take a few years to see the Porsche brand settle in Stuttgart, where it is still today.
If we look at the evolution of the Porsche brand 75 years later, its commercial and financial success is undeniable. The German manufacturer benefits from a solid image, evoking luxury, refinement and sportiness. Long confined to models intended for purists, Porsche diversified its range by introducing a first SUV with the Cayenne, then further broadened the spectrum with the Panamera, Macan and Taycan.
It was therefore in a festive atmosphere that we were received in Zuffenhausen, stronghold of the brand. Our first stop is in an anonymous industrial area, a few kilometers from the factory. Behind the doors of a dull white building, hides a real treasure. The Porsche reserve, where you can find a collection of cars, each one more beautiful than the next.
Photo: Julien Amado
Prototypes, road cars and racing cars line up in the hangar. Porsche 356, 911, 912, 924, 944, Boxster or Cayman we have seen sports cars from all eras (see photo gallery). We even approached the millionth Porsche 911, produced in 2017, and covered in a superb dark green.
Photo: Julien Amado
Only part of the facilities were open to journalists. We would have loved to spend whole days there, but it was already time to go to the Porsche museum for the presentation of a secret model. For such a special occasion, yours truly was thinking of a new hypercar. Indeed, after the Porsche 959 in 1983, the Carrera GT in 2003 and the 918 Spyder in 2013, it was logical to celebrate the brand’s 75th anniversary with an exceptional model. The fact that the three models mentioned above were all exhibited that day confirmed our idea.
Photo: Julien Amado
It was on this occasion that Oliver Blume, CEO of Porsche AG, lifted the veil on the Mission X, a 100% electric concept, a few minutes before its global unveiling. A car that we were able to approach as closely as possible, and which seemed to us to be very successful for a “simple” concept. As with the Mission E a few years ago, it’s likely that Porsche’s future hypercar will look a lot like the Mission X.
Photo: Porsche
After this presentation, we went down to the street, on Porscheplatz, the square facing the museum of the same name. The builder had pulled out all the stops for the occasion. Several prestigious guests were present such as Mark Webber, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Walter Röhrl, Timo Bernhard or Patrick Dempsey.
The adjacent streets were closed and a grandstand was erected facing the museum. The facade, which incorporates a large white rectangle, served as a giant screen for a big-budget sound and light show. Several guests followed one another, and the speeches were punctuated by demonstrations with historic vehicles.
Photo: Porsche AG
Mark Webber opened the ball with the Porsche 356/01, bringing with him Wolfgang Porsche, the son of Ferry Porsche. We saw all generations of 911s pass, of course, but also a road-going Porsche 911 GT1, the 959, Carrera GT and 918 Spyder as well as racing cars.
A straight line behind the museum allowed the engines to express themselves, in particular that of a Porsche 956 which took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Photo: Porsche AG
Porsche even put a 919 Hybrid back on the road, with Mark Webber taking over the wheel. Without a helmet and dressed in formal attire, he sped past us. And for the record, the car steers so badly that the two closed traffic lanes were not enough to turn around! The Australian driver had to spin his wheels to execute a 180° turn.
After a final pass in front of the spectators, all the cars parked opposite the museum for a final family photo. After this fittingly celebrated anniversary, it was already time to look to the future. Indeed, another flight was waiting for us early the next morning to go to France, where Porsche had taken up residence on the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. But that’s another story… which you can find by clicking here.