Hooniverse Asks – What’s a “True” Porsche?
For some aficionados of the brand, Porsche stopped building real cars when the last 356 rolled off the assembly line. Others discount anything with a radiator. What do you think, do Porsches have to emulate the layout of the pre-war People’s Car in order to be accepted as righteous?
To some, the 911 isn’t all the different from its precursor 356, but mention that to an owner of the earlier, four-cylinder car and you may get a stony-faced end to the conversation. Those owners don’t even want to acknowledge the intended-for-Audi 924, and bringing up the heavy, V8-engined 928 might get you a punch in the throat.
Others view the air-cooled 911s as sufficiently Porsche-esque, but discount the water-cooled cars, as well as anything that requires you to sit behind the engine. The Cayenne generally sets everybody off, and the new Panamera isn’t going to be calming them down anytime soon.
So where do you sit on “Porsche-ness”? Do you draw the line at engines with fins and fans, or are you willing to welcome ethylene glycol-carrying cars into the fold? Does it only need to carry the Stuttgart shield for your stamp of approval, or do the number of doors and engine placement enter into the equation?
Most of us may not currently be able to afford them, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be elitist snobs and judge them, so, with that in mind, what do you consider a “true” Porsche?
Image sources: [cartype.com, Philseed.com]
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I don't like the 996 but I have no problem with water cooling. Just make it mid or ass engined and it's fine.
Until I read this article, it never struck me that the Boxster and Cayman generally escape the un-Porsche stigma. Then again, both are highly acclaimed, and often the car to beat, much like the 911 variants. Scorn only enters in when someone claims a base Boxster is 'better' than a GT3, simply by being mid-engined.
In my opinion, if Porsche makes it, it's a Porsche. To me it's just another brand, not a religion.
This is the kind of well reasoned, level headed commentary that has no business being on the internet. If you can't begin incorporating class or culture war, tired stereotypes or some kind of meme, we'll be forced to ban you.
I must disagree. Her comment, "To me it's just another brand, not a religion." was obviously a deliberate, sarcastic dig at Porsche enthusiasts, posted in hopes of starting a flame war. Juliet C. is such a troll.
Welcome, Ma'am.
I'm with you, with the possible exception of the Cayenne. Is it a jumped-up Toareg, or is the Toareg a discount Cayenne?
The Cayenne's a Touareg GTI, the Touareg's the one I actually want (thank you Ferdinand Piech, and your epic, epic ego bolstering projects).
A true Porsche?
<img src="http://pixdaus.com/pics/12094223215BW2Iqj.jpg">
A true Porsche?
<img src="http://pixdaus.com/pics/12094223215BW2Iqj.jpg">
<img src="http://www.johnbrownmedia.com/SiteMedia/images/May%2009%20NL%20nickctype%20large.jpg">
<img src="http://www.autoplusdigital.com.ar/uploads/img/Mercedes-Benz-38-250-SSK-(1929).jpg">
A "true" Porsche.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2054895681_b8d46ba05b.jpg">
Another "true" Porsche
<img src="http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/picture.php?getid=10545&table=cars">
And one more "true" Porsche
<img src="http://www.fourtitude.com/news/uploads/Tradition_News/nick-mason.jpg">
I would totally drive that around town.
That is exactly what went through my head when I saw this pic. Then I wondered where I would stash the bologna and six-pack I went to the grocery for.
Or this.
<img width=500 src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/VW_Kuebelwagen_1.jpg">
An Original Ferdinand
http://theband.hiof.no/band_pictures/f_t_bull_193…
Don't forget this:
<img src="http://www.141.com/vir2004/Porsche%20tractor.JPG" width=500 /img>
Defining a true Porsche is mainly a matter of understanding the Porsche design philosophy. Form over function, every line not necessarily terribly attractive but undeniably "right", no more complicated than necessary but exactly as complicated as necessary. RWD is a given. Plenty of torque and grip. A manual transmission with a proper clutch that you have to work yourself. Passenger space is not a priority, nor is comfort, but an open top is a nice bonus. Also it helps to be red.
Something like this is about perfect:
<img src="http://classics.com/images06/tch06-12s.jpg">
ohhhhhhhh, buuuuuusted….
form before function … form over function … same thing no?
moar coffee pls.
Hey, Lamborghini makes a pretty snazzy line of tractors, too.
A Porsche is a car that actively seeks to kill the driver.
A Cayenne with 17 airbags, crushzones, back-up cameras and all-wheel drive is not a 'true" Porsche.
Does that make a Viper or GT500 a Porsche?
Because that might change my opinion of the brand some.
Does it have to be rear-engined to do that? Is trailing-throttle oversteer and massive turbo lag a must? Otherwise, I think my 924S, with crappy brakes, non-functional wipers, and only 1 working brake light qualifies.
If a model was created to exploit a particular niche market, and not to be the pinnacle of engineering and performance for their own sake, then no, I'd say it's not a "true" Porsche. By my definition, the Cayenne doesn't qualify. The jury's still out on the Panamera.
Well, the number of people that can afford the righteous Porsche 911 GT2, GT3, GT3 RS, Carrera GT, or (dare I say it) offered-to-the-public version of the 959 defines the word "niche market".
I've learned that debates about Porsche are as contentious…or moreso…than debates about politics, religion, and Fox News.
To me, a Porsche is a Porsche if it has the Porsche badge on it. Ferry Porsche designed the 356 because there were no other cars out there that he liked. Therefore, Porsche from its inception has been a segment buster. While I think the Panamera is fairly ugly, it is a natural progression of that original philosophy and not as big of an aberation as previously thought.
This is a fairly new line of thinking for me. I used to be a "purist" and thought only the performance cars in the line of the 356, 911, etc. were "true" Porsche's and everything else was brand whoring. However, after reading some on the history of Porsche and why the 356 came about and what it was, I don't think the "purist" line of thinking is in keeping with all of Porsche's thinking.
The real question for me is whether or not Porsche is still true to its racing roots.
To me, a Porsche is a Porsche if it has the Porsche badge on it.
I was thinking the same thing. Except for one thing – the 914 had no Porsche badge on it. Now some would agree with that sentiment, but the fact is that it was designed and built by Porsche. Even the Type 4 engine it came with was reengineered to include hotter cams than the Volkswagen version, and the car had four wheel discs.
Look, I don't care for the Cayenne or the Panamera, but I see their existence as vital. Brand diversity tends to isolate you from the whims of the marketplace. If it lets them crank out sports cars in a down economy, then bully for them.
As for racing roots, that depends. They generally don't campaign factory cars anymore, but the privateers that do race them get substantial support from the factory – Grand Am and ALMS races have Porsche Motorsport reps and ample spares on hand.
OK, I took your message as a fun personal challenge. I assume you were trying to say that the Porsche 914 car only said "PORSCHE" on the rear decklid, and didn't have the Stuttgart crest-like shield thing– so it wasn't a Porsche.
So, I had to check.. Yes, The Porsche 914 (U.S. version) was definitely badged "porsche" on the rear decklid..