Porsche: three generations of designers

What is common to Volkswagen, Mercedes, Studebaker, German tanks and Porsche? The answer is simple: all in varying degrees, had a hand in the family Porsche. As for the car Porsche, then, since designing this car takes three generations of the family background of no shorter than the history itself. "The first" Ferdinand Porsche was born on September 3, 1875 in the family tinker Anton Porsche from the city of Liberec. The father hoped that his son will inherit his profession, but the young man attracted the invention and technical achievement. In 16 years, the future designer interested in electrical engineering. To learn how to design cars, he graduated from university. In 1898, the young Ferdinand Porsche tries his hand at the head of design department at the Vienna automobile factory Lohner. The first independent work (motor-wheel electric vehicle) immediately brought the young engineer success and fame. In 1906, Porsche has become the chief designer at the firm Austro-Daimler, which creates an active artillery tractor trailer. 1909 marked for the automotive genius by several developments. First, he had a son Ferdinand Anton Ernst Porsche, who later becomes his assistant and successor. Secondly, he Ferdinand, Sr. is born as a driver in the rally "Run the Prince Heinrich of Prussia" at the wheel of a sports Austro-Daimler's own design. Then he takes the second place, but will take into account all the mistakes and next year will be the undisputed leader of the race. By 1923, the company Austro-Daimler by the participation of Porsche began producing high-quality cars. Rarity were "luxury" model AD617 and ADM-1. In the same year, Ferdinand Porsche is continuing its work at Daimler-Benz as Chief Designer. The first car designed at the new place was the legendary Mercedes 360. Later, he more than once put his hand to have already become a legendary series and S. K His ideas are also embodied in the models of SS, SSK and SSKL. In 1924, the Technical Academy in Stuttgart, in honor of the recognition of the genius inventor awarded him the title of Doctor of Technical Sciences - honoris cauza (on set of research). After five years from the beginning of cooperation with the Austro-Daimler, in 1928, Porsche accepts the offer of firm Steyr in Austria, where its involvement in the light were two interesting patterns: Austria and Type XXX. But this place does not become a matter of his life - the designer has always aspired to independence, so the April 25, 1931, in his 56 years, Ferdinand Porsche founded his own independent design office. In 1932, Porsche has designed a new element of depreciation, which became the property of all automakers - torsion bar suspension trailing arm. And in the same year he arrived on a visit to the Soviet Union for the tour of the centers of the automotive age. Ferdinand Porsche was about to become the main automobile designer of our country, how he proposed to the government. However, his firm ahead of Auto Union. Since 1934, the designer designs for the German "people's car» (Volkswagen) commissioned by the German government. During the war, Porsche and his design bureau took an active part in the issue of weapons of death. " Together with designers, Anders (company Henkel), Grote, Garekom and other equally talented people he put into the production tanks "Tiger" and "Panther" (1942), as well as self-propelled gun "Ferdinand" (1943). In 1944 there were more severe model: "Royal Tiger" and "Yagdtigr. There was another experimental car - 170-ton Tank "Maus" (Mouse). After the war, Ferdinand Porsche had to spend almost 2 years in French captivity. Only in 1947, after serving 22 months in prison, a professor returns to Austria. In 1945, his father's work was headed by his son - Ferdinand Anton Ernst Porsche, until his death bore the nickname Ferry. To redeem his father from captivity, he moved the design office in Austria and organized on behalf of the Italian firm Cisitalia lucrative commissioned to design all-wheel racing car. This was the first independent work of Ferry. He then assembled a team of engineers and Karl Rabe Eberana von Eberhorsta and began work on a new sports car based on his father built Beetle. The basis of the first prototype went to former draft Type-60K-10. However, instead of the coupe was first selected roadster. Again in the case went to the engine, transmission and suspension from the "Beetle". After all, these items have already been tried and have repeatedly proved their efficiency. From pre-war cars new Type-356 are open aluminum body and engine to the rear axle. All this means that in 1948 was born the first "real» Porsche. In 1949 he collected the first 50 copies of the model 356. The car was so simple in design, lightweight (590 kg) and faster (135 km / h), which was very warmly received in postwar Europe. In the first week after the release of the car won the race. Porsche 356 production machines have already been rear-engined (to increase the engine compartment shifted the rear axle), aluminum body had to replace heavier steel (for cheaper). And then joined the family of improved models 356 with a body "coupe" and "convertible". By the way, the hood is 356 model in 1952, first appeared Emblem Porsche, incorporates the heraldic shield of the ducal house Wurttemberg, in the middle of which was placed coat of arms of Stuttgart - embarked on the rearing horse. In 1950 the company moved to Porsche KG in Stuttgart, and in 1952, a year after the death of Ferdinand Porsche, Sr. - in place Zuffenhausen, where it is today. Interestingly, the money to build factories Ferry received a contract to develop a "luxury" car for the U.S. firm Studebaker. In 1953, Ferry Porsche creates the Porsche 550 Spyder, which won the race in the Mexican Carrera Panamericana. This race is subsequently gave its name to the highest-speed models of the company. The first Porsche Carrera was released in 1955. This modification has a power plant, fully developed by experts of the company Porsche. Happy New Year 1956 was marked by an updated version of 356 - Model 356A (version Continental Coupe car entered the U.S. market). And in a sports series appeared more "relaxed" modification 550A. In 1958, two years later, was born completely new both externally and internally, a racing model Porsche 718. It featured a lighter body, the socket lamps were covered with transparent Plexiglass (for aero body). At the end of this year to replace the Spyder to a more powerful model 356D. In 1960 he saw the light of the latest dynasty, 550-x - model 718/RS, which differed from its counterpart only by additional headlamps, unbreakable windshield and luggage compartment. In parallel, there was also a closed version of the joint development of firms and the Italian Porsche Abarth. In 1961 model 356 GS Carrera successfully performed in racing class Gran Turismo. Production cars next year were marked by the appearance of elegance and good power (130 hp..). In the spring there was the latest and fastest car family - Carrera-2. In 1963 the world saw a Porsche 356S. Then was born the next masterpiece Porsche - the world famous Porsche 911. In creating this vehicle has already participated son Ferry - Ferdinand Alexander. So do not always rest on the nature of children. The new car was first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963. Design and appearance he looked like a predecessor, but that's under the hood there have been some changes. Instead, 2-cylinder engine was used a 6-cylinder (with a capacity of 160 hp..) With air cooling. First, the car was wearing designation 901. But when a year later, at the Paris Motor Show 1964, it began taking orders, the company notified the Peugeot Porsche management that the combination of three digits with a zero in the middle as an index model has long belonged to her. We had zero change on the unit, and in late 1964 Porsche 911 "went to the people." August 11, 1965, Porsche received a patent for a brand new car roof, named after the famous Targa race Sicilian Targa Florio. In the same year was released a cheaper modified Porsche 912 with 4-cylinder engine Super-90. And another thing, is a private, an event occurred in the same year, - Technical University of Vienna awarded the title of Ferry Porsche doctorate. In 1967, the market has finally entered the Porsche 911 Targa. Over the entire period of its existence, he was recognized as the safest convertible with a fixed landing a powerful arc. Two years later, on a series of 911S to improve the stability of the vehicle rear axle shifted back, thereby increasing the wheelbase. Early 70-ies significant that the three firms that belonged to the Empire Porsche (actual production Porsche, a joint venture between Volkswagen - Porsche and Design Bureau), merged in 1972 into a public company Porsche AG. The most exciting news this year was the return of the name Carrera, who was last seen on the champion model Type 906 production in 1967. Model under the symbol RS 911 easily passed for a 200-strong line, and it was her first settled the rear spoiler of the "duck tail" that can create additional downforce at speed. In 1974 at the Paris Motor Show debuts 911S Turbo. Increased spoiler and a powerful, 260 hp. with., the engine gave the car some elegant aggressiveness. Pride of models that year was, of course, their appearance. From now on all models of Porsche began to install bumpers body color with a spring-loaded part. In 1975 he developed the concept car's transaxle, in which the engine of a light metal was placed in front and drive axle and the gearbox is behind. The first model of this type was the Porsche 924. The four-cylinder powerplant capacity of 125 liters. with. gave a good vehicle dynamics. Lights were hidden in the truck for less resistance. In March 1977 was released with a front engine - model 928 (already with 8-cylinder engine with 240 hp..). In developing the body designers had three objectives: to obtain high aerodynamic performance, maintaining the characteristic features of Porsche cars and making the car "timeless" appearance. To solve these problems have been applied Headlights, the so-called integrated bumper, very convex sides of the bus. Porsche 928 was the "Car of 1978" in Europe. In 1978, there is a modification to the 924 Turbo engine producing 170 hp. with. While this model was considered the most economical in the world of sports cars. In 1979 there was a more powerful model 928S with engine capacity of up to 300 liters. with. Machine speed reached 250 km / h, which is 20 km / h higher than the maximum rate 924 th. In 1981, in response to the economic crisis has become a Porsche 944 with front engine. Using the base of the 924 th model and the four-engine (163 hp..), The designers were able to create a wonderful car in all respects. And, as has already been adopted, modified with turbo engine was not long in coming. 220 hp. with. affected the speed - 250 km / h. But all these models were not too successful, because "this» Porsche consumers consider only the Porsche 911. In 1983, Porsche has come to success in racing and Formula 1. " McLaren team with the turbo engine of Porsche in the lead throughout the season of 1984. In 1985 at the Frankfurt auto show was a prototype model 959. Collected all possible and impossible, it represented the most modern sports Porsche. The project, to the surprise of many, proved to be tenacious, and in 1987 the company announced production of two hundred and industrial versions. In 1988, to strengthen its position in the market, the company decided to change the design of a family of 911. Retaining the already adopted them for the silhouette, the designers added a variety of modifications of its features. Models have become longer due to huge bumpers, changes and additions have touched lighting. All Porsche were equipped automatically retractable rear spoiler at speed, giving the car an original duplicity. The first child of embodying all of these solutions has become all-wheel drive Carrera 4. A year later, in 1989, Carrera 2. As for the family of front-engine, for added variety and, even more so, to increase in popularity in 1988, was presented avtoobschestvennosti convertible Porsche 944 S2. In 1991, the Porsche family replenished with another model with an engine in front - 968 th. That it is considered among the least expensive Porsche cars and is very successful, but, despite its revolutionary, 968 th was to be the last of this sort. In 1992, the Porsche lineup, there were only a few models. This is a classic 911-I with all the possible modifications, 928 GTS - the largest car company (also not inferior in value 911) and the aforementioned 968-I with the first in the history of airbags. The next gift was the Porsche designers debut at the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show, next-generation 911 model, which differed from his predecessor's more powerful (285 hp..) "Engine", some addition to the cabin and smooth lines, emphasizing the features of the body. In 1994, all versions of the Porsche 911 "moved" in the body with wide wheel arches. The mechanical part has replenished with new suspension and a 6-speed gearbox. 1995 marked the company the appearance of 408-strong boxer turbo engine. Its main difference is huge rear spoiler and full all-wheel drive. In the same year completed their path and do not meet expectations models 928 and 968. The era of the "motor ahead" is over. After the cessation of their production, all forces were thrown on the development of models of Long-lived 911. In 1996, in order to consolidate its post-crisis situation in the market of sports cars in the class "relatively cheap" cars, Porsche is a brand new type - Boxster. It was a two-seater with a brand new 6-cylinder engine installed in front of the rear axle, with liquid cooling and power to 204 hp. with. The model has a soft automatic folding top. At the request was available option and hard top. July 15, 1996 was made one-millionth car Porsche. They became the Porsche 911 Carrera in police performance. Chef firms, Professor Porsche, presented a commemorative car traffic police of Baden-Wuerttemberg. As for the Ferdinand Porsche, then in 1995 he was awarded one of the highest awards of the country - a large silver sign of Honour with Star for services to the Republic of Austria. In 1997, in Frankfurt the next rebirth 911 impressed everyone with his perfect appearance. Beginner increased in size, that has changed for the better comfort in the cabin. A powerful 300-horse engine, with water cooling, clocked a miracle of technology, up to 280 km / h. Gone are the hard years of history, today, Porsche again "on the horse." The company significantly expanded its market by releasing new models, including SUV Cayenne. However, this is not history but the most that neither is present, the company Porsche.