TRADITION: FUTURE - 50 YEARS OF THE PORSCHE 911 CELEBRATED AT GOODWOOD

Goodwood is honouring one of the world’s most versatile and popular sports cars – the Porsche 911 – with the main Central Feature at the 2013 Festival of Speed from 11-14 July. The bespoke 911-inspired sculpture promises to be a highly distinctive ‘art installation’ and will be displayed, as has become the tradition, prominently outside Goodwood House.

For five decades, the 911 has been at the heart of the Porsche brand. Few other cars in the world can look back on such a long tradition and continuity as the Porsche 911. It has been inspiring car enthusiasts around the world since its debut as the model 901 at the IAA International Automotive Show, Frankfurt, in September 1963. Today it is considered by its many devoted fans as 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 most sporting car in its category, and each one carries a piece of the 911 philosophy.

Porsche at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

Over 820,000 Porsche 911s have been built since 1963, and examples of each of its seven generations will be present at the 2013 Festival of Speed. From the very beginning the car has been at home on race circuits and rally stages all over the world, earning a reputation as a quick and dependable winner. In fact, two thirds of the 30,000 race victories achieved by Porsche to date have been recorded by the 911.

Demonstration runs by historical Porsche road and race cars spanning the seven generations of the 911 will be a highlight of the event, and many of these cars will instantly evoke fond memories among spectators. At the wheel will be a variety of famous drivers with strong affinity to Porsche including two-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours and German Touring Car Champion, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Porsche Supercup factory Junior driver Michael Christensen, alongside former works aces Richard Attwood and Vic Elford.

With support from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, private collectors and enthusiasts, a number of significant editions of the 911 will be in action at the Festival. Further examples of significant Porsche competition cars including the 917 and 962 will also feature.

7 x 7 x 911

Porsche Cars GB has gathered together a stunning line-up of seven generations of 911 road cars, which clearly shows the evolution of the iconic sports coupe over the past five decades.

To lead the procession, the Porsche Museum is sending a very special, original 911 to Goodwood. As part of an innovative ‘Follow the 911’ world tour, this 1967 car has been engaged as a rolling ambassador for Porsche at various international events, trade fairs, historic rallies and racing events inFrance, China, Pebble Beach, California and Australia during the year. The car’s progress can be followed at porsche.com/follow-911.

This will be joined by successive examples of the 911, each of which is sure to have a special place in fans’ hearts. As a consequence of its evolutionary development, the 911 is one of few cars that is referred to by its model series, in a vernacular that can be confusing to newcomers. Hence the ‘G-Series’ (1973-1989), ‘Type 964’ (1988-1994), ‘Type 993’ (1993-1998), ‘Type 996’ (1997-2005), ‘Type 997’ (2003-2013) and the latest ‘Type 991’ (from 2011).

Original Porsche 911

Porsche 911 G-Series

Porsche 911 Type 964

Porsche 911 Type 991

Porsche 911 Type 993

Porsche 911 Type 996

Porsche 911 Type 997
The 911 is one of the world’s most versatile racing cars, with successes on the circuits and rally stages around the globe. As a counter-point to the road-going models, there will also be a parade of seven 911 race cars.

A highlight will be the 1973 911 RSR 2.8, which won the Sebring 12 Hours in the USA that year and effectively established the reputation of the Porsche coupe as a serious race car in America.

Illustrating perfectly the extremes of achievement by the 911 in motor sport, the Porsche Museum is sending two examples of the rallying 911 - an SC ‘Safari’ and ‘Paris Dakar’ Carrera 4x4 - and two race cars, a ‘Type 964’ 911 RS from the 1993 Porsche Supercup Championship and ‘Type 996’ 911 GT3 RSR from the 2003 American Le Mans Series.

Like every Porsche, the 911 has its roots in racing. From its earliest days, the rear-engined coupe was triumphant. In the 50th anniversary year, Porsche Cars GB has developed an exciting initiative to celebrate this heritage in a very fitting manner; racing a classic 911 in Historic motor sport. The 1965 ‘short wheelbase’ 911 races under the ‘Project 50’ team banner in selected ‘Masters Series’ events alongside appearances at larger festivals such as Silverstone Classic and the Nurburging Oldtimer GP. The distinctive ‘Project 50’ 911 will be proudly participating at the Festival, in a break from its race programme.

Source: Porsche. Click here to view Porsche books from Veloce!