Porsche Legends is our first marque-specific issue in the series, but few deserve the Legend moniker more than this long-standing German favourite. Diving into our archives, we’ve plucked out tales about where it all began with the 356, and of course, the 911 gets more than just a look-in with everything from the first 901s to much more modern fare.
Welcome
SUPERCAR LEGENDS
Porsche Legends
OPEN SEASON • Everyone fancies themselves as James Dean in a Porsche Speedster, yet you can enjoy open-top 356 motoring for much less money
Building the brand • Long before making its own cars, Porsche enjoyed considerable success offering its expertise on everything from a family car to a Grand Prix titan
LITTLE GEMS • In the 1950s, enthusiasts had a fine choice of gorgeous sporting coupés, but which was best: Porsche, Lotus, Alfa Romeo or MG?
California dream machines • Tracing the lineage of Stuttgart’s sun-seekers, from the race-bred Porsche 356 through to the celebratory 911 and 964 run-out editions
Not only the number has changed • Once lost to an East German barn in Brandenburg, this Porsche 901 has returned to claim its place in history as the last of its kind
ALPINE’S TRIAL • The A110 was a rally hero, but can it triumph against its rear-engined rival on the road, the mighty Porsche 911?
ON THE LOOSE • Rear-engined traction helped these legends make their names on the rally stages
Dino 246 vs Porsche 911 • A pair of six-cylinder baby supercar greats, one from Maranello and one from Stuttgart, do battle
WHO’S THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL? • What do the experts reckon is the finest 911? Here, the engineers, designers, journalists, marque specialists and racers who know them best reveal their favourites
THE GREATEST • Alain de Cadenet gets behind the wheel of our winner from a poll of industry experts on what is the greatest-ever drivers’ car
Practical magic • Forget the default-choice Italians, the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 is the supercar you can use and afford
Buyer’s guide*
3.2’s company
The Wild Bunch • This motorsport-inspired trio of forced-induction pioneers brought the fledgling turbo into the mainstream. Braving the fearsome Saab 99, Porsche 911 and BMW 2002
US pioneers
Diverging fortunes • The GTS was the last hurrah for the 928, yet the car it was designed to replace, the 911, was just getting into its stride with the Carrera RS 3.8
Let battle commence! • Lotus struggled against supercar big boys Ferrari and Porsche, but with V8 power the Esprit was a match for the F355 and 993 turbo
Supercar market*
Lighter! Faster! Madder! Better! • Alois Ruf’s legendary tuning business became a constructor in its own right in 1981. Here five of his monsters unite
Porsches four all • Once the butt of the ‘poor man’s Porsche’ jibes, the four-cylinder 912E, 912 and 914 are now rightly revered for their individual appeal
On the fringes? • Life as the owner of a four-pot Porsche can be one of battling against the tide, neither fully in the Volkswagen world nor a paid-up member of the Porsche scene. Until now, according to our three owners.
UNSUNG AIR-COOLED GREATS • The 914 and 914/6 have been overlooked for decades, but it’s time to reassess and sing their praises – and start scanning the classifieds for Porsche’s underrated gem
Technical KNOCKOUT • Porsche’s 928 was admired for its radical design and sophisticated road manners, but has always languished in the 911’s shadow
Back to Front • Porsche’s four-cylinder 924, 944 and 968 played vital roles in the firm’s survival, and they now offer great value for money
Stuttgart’s other Le Mans racers
Variations on a...