The Complete Book of Porsche 911 Every Model Since 1964

The Complete Book of Porsche 911

Every Model Since 1964

TO LIVE AND LET DRIVE

If looking at the economic miracle that was Germany in the years immediately after World War II, no single vehicle from that first 20 years better exemplifies that ascendancy than Porsche’s 911. Obviously, VW’s Beetle represented a seismic shift in Germany’s production, export capability and rising middle class, while Lufthansa could regularly land in London without a barrage of anti-aircraft fire. But if selecting one product or service that speaks to both Germany’s economic rise and cultural singularity, it’s – in my view – Porsche’s 911. 

The 911 arrived at roughly the same time – and in much the same way – as Jaguar’s E-Type was brought to market. Both Jaguar and Porsche took established designs launched in the late ‘40s, Porsche’s 356 and Jaguar’s XK120, and gave them a clean-sheet redesign. Both carmakers discarded their body-on-frame inspirations for unibody designs heavily influenced by aerodynamics. And both, notably, went racing – although the 911 would prove far more successful than the Le Mans-inspired Jag-u-ar. 

In 2024 the iconic sports/GT marked its 60^th year of production. And that (of course!) calls for the arrival of another 911 history, this one – the 4^th edition – penned by Porsche expert Randy Leffingwell and available through Motorbooks. As an almost lifetime observer of the 911, I understand that the definitive history of the 911 will not be written ‘til the model is discontinued; happily, after 60+ years of production the end isn’t even close. Obviously, today’s 911 is radically different than what debuted when Johnson was new to the White House and the Beatles were new to America, but the basic layout remains the same. In that sixty years Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr have changed less, while America’s politics have changed more. 

It’s hard to look at an early 911 and not be amazed by its relatively small size and inherent simplicity. At the time the 911 arrived stateside I was driving a ’66 Volkswagen Beetle, and while the design and performance of the Porsche were light years removed from that of the Beetle, you can still see (or maybe sniff) the Porsche’s People’s Car roots. Of course, today the 911 footprint is closer to that of the last-gen Camaro, and horsepower is typically three times that of a mid-‘60s 911.

Leffingwell’s THE COMPLETE BOOK OF PORSCHE 911, 4^TH EDITION,

begins well before the 911’s beginning. In the longish production history of Porsche’s 356, work on a successor began in the mid-‘50s, but prototyping became more accelerated (pun intended…) as the Ike years morphed into Camelot. The 911 made its production debut as a 901 in September of 1964. After some 80 cars with that nomenclature, Porsche’s designation was protested by Peugeot, which had tied up 3-digit model types built around ‘0’ in France. Not wanting to create a specific designation for France and another for the rest of the world – like, you know, Freedom Fries – Porsche grabbed 911; the rest, as they say, is history.

Even if the 4^th edition required but a few revisions and a couple of additional chapters, Mr. Leffingwell’s effort is nothing short of amazing, whether you’re a Porsche buff or merely a history buff. Within its 368 pages are some 475 images, both color and black-and-white. And within Leffingwell’s clear narrative are the details of the 911’s eight generations, told in ten chapters. I don’t believe in AI-generated content, but if ever there was a damn good reason for AI it’s a Porsche 911 history.

At a time of EV-this and tariff-that, it’s easy to imagine an automotive landscape without Porsche’s rear-engined wonder; with any luck, however, that won’t happen. New 911s will continue to be built and sold, and those already on the street will be well cared for, giving those with kids, homes and college loans a more affordable – albeit pre-owned – point of entry. 

While getting your financial house in order, THE COMPLETE BOOK OF PORSCHE 911, 4^TH EDITION, published by Motorbooks, is available on June 3rd (in time for Father’s Day!) for $60. A review copy was provided by the publisher.