Though I've got both feet planted firmly in the Bentley camp, I'll be the first one to admit that Porsche has had an amazing and storied past. Porsche's history is a rollercoaster ride that involves murderous dictators, the VW bug, and some other amazing tales along the way. Now, you might think Porsche's beginnings were all about creating sleek sports cars for chaps with more money than sense. But you'd be wrong. Dead wrong. The start of Porsche was far more... shall we say, practical. Even this guide will be too short to cover the complete history of Porsche, but I'll do my best to keep it succinct. Let's go. Porsche’s History: The Beginning Well, Porsche's history starts with a chappie called "Ferdinand Porsche", which, at the time was not the most glamourous of names, I'll give you that. But, in a few short decades, and within his own lifetime, this name would be foremost in the automotive hall of fame, for many, many reasons. Now then, this Ferdinand chap wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth or a steering wheel in his hands. No, Porsche's roots were firmly planted in the world of engineering. Anyway, this gent had a lot of laurels under his belt, and had started out at Daimler. An interesting tidbit is that the person who did the first coach for Porsche, was pushed into coachbuilding by old man Porsche. Talk about coming full circle. Anyway, in 1931, Ferdinand Porsche, or "The Professor" as he was known (he had honorary degrees from various universities)), founded a little company called "Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH." Try saying that three times fast after a few pints. This wasn't a car company, mind you. It was an engineering consultancy. The start of Porsche was all about selling big brains, not big engines. But here's where Porsche's history takes an interesting turn. The Professor wasn't content with just designing bits and bobs for other manufacturers. Oh no. He had grander plans. In 1934, old Ferdinand got a call from none other than Adolf Hitler, der Fuhrer. Now, I'm not saying Hitler had good taste in cars, but he did have the right idea when he asked Porsche to design a "people's car." And thus, the Volkswagen Beetle was born. Yes, you heard that right. Porsche's beginnings are intrinsically linked to that lovable little bug that your hippie aunt probably drove in the '60s. Porsche’s History: From Beetles to Sports Cars Now, fast forward to the end of World War II. The history of Porsche takes another twist. Ferdinand's son, Ferry Porsche, decides it's time to stop mucking about with Beetles and build something with a bit more... oomph. In 1948, in a shed in Austria (because all great car companies start in sheds, just ask Colin Chapman), Ferry creates the 356. And just like that, Porsche's history as a sports car manufacturer begins. The 356 was essentially a Beetle that had been to the gym, got a makeover, and developed a need for speed. It was the automotive equivalent of an ugly duckling turning into a swan... if swans could do 0-60 in about 10 seconds. Which, by today's standards, is about as quick as a mobility scooter, but back then, it was enough to make grown men weep with joy. But here's the thing about Porsche's beginnings in the sports car world - they weren't content with just making fast cars. They wanted to make fast cars that could turn corners without killing their drivers. A novel concept in the 1950s, I assure you. And so, the history of Porsche became intertwined with motorsports. The 550 Spyder, a car so small you could probably wear it as a hat, started dominating races. Porsche had found its niche - building cars that were faster than greased lightning and handled like they were on rails. Porsche’s History: The 911Now, we come to 1963. A year that, in Porsche's history, is more important than the invention of the wheel. This was the year that Porsche unveiled the 911. And let me tell you, if there's one car that defines Porsche's roots, it's this one. The 911 is to Porsche what bangers and mash is to British cuisine - quintessential, timeless, and if you don't like it, there's probably something wrong with you. The 911 was a masterpiece of engineering. Rear-engined, air-cooled, and with a shape that looked like it had been designed by the wind itself. It was as if Porsche had taken everything they'd learned since the start of Porsche and distilled it into one perfect machine. Of course, it also had the potential to kill you if you lifted off the throttle mid-corner, but that just added to the excitement, didn't it? Over the years, the 911 evolved. Porsche's history became a story of refining and perfecting this iconic design. They added turbos, made it water-cooled (much to the horror of purists), and gave it enough electronic aids to land a spacecraft on Mars. But at its core, the 911 remained true to Porsche's roots - a rear-engined sports car that could thrill and terrify in equal measure. I really don’t have to say much about the 911, which is why I haven’t gone on an on about the design choices, the engine variants, or how gosh darn ugly the early 2000s were for Porsche. Porsche’s History: Beyond the 911 Now, you might think that Porsche's history is all about the 911. And you'd be mostly right. But mostly right is still a bit wrong. Because Porsche, in its infinite wisdom, decided that not everyone wanted a car that could potentially spin them into next week if they sneezed at the wrong moment. In the 1970s, Porsche's history took another turn with the introduction of the 924. Front-engined, water-cooled, and about as Porsche as a Toyota Corolla. Purists were outraged. They claimed Porsche had lost its way, forgotten its roots. But here's the thing - it sold like hot cakes. The history of Porsche is as much about business as it is about engineering. Then came the 928, a car so ahead of its time it might as well have come with a flux capacitor. Now the cheeky little 928 was meant to replace the 911, but you'd have better luck finding a sober Irishman. All was going not-too-well, when, in 1996, they looked at their lineup and thought, "You know what we need? A big, heavy SUV that goes against everything Porsche stands for." As a result of that unholy thought process, the Cayenne Mk1 emerged. Purists wept, accountants cheered, and Porsche laughed all the way to the bank. To be fair though, the Cayenne has really grown on me, and I'm sure it's the same for the rest of the thinking world. The first facelift in 2011 made it bearable, the second in 2016 even more so, and the third in 2019 made it look downright nice. Porsche’s History: Still Defying Expectations So, where does this leave us in Porsche's history? Well, today, Porsche is a company that makes everything from mid-engined roadsters to electric sedans. They've even got a station wagon, for heaven's sake. But here's the thing - they're all unmistakably Porsche. The company has never forgotten its roots. Every car they make, whether it's a Macan or a 918 Spyder, has a little bit of that 356 DNA in it. They're all engineered to within an inch of their lives, faster than they have any right to be, and handle like they're on rails. Porsche's history is a testament to the power of sticking to your guns. They've never tried to be anything other than what they are - a company obsessed with engineering, performance, and making cars that make grown men giggle like schoolgirls. Porsche’s History: The Legacy Continues And there you have it, folks. Porsche's history in a nutshell. From humble beginnings as an engineering consultancy to a global sports car powerhouse. It's a story of innovation, stubborn adherence to principles, and enough horsepower to power a small country. The start of Porsche might have been about practical engineering solutions, but it evolved into something much more. Porsche's roots run deep in the world of performance, and they show no signs of letting up. Whether it's on the racetrack or the school run, Porsche continues to push the boundaries of what's possible on four wheels. So, the next time you see a Porsche roar past, remember - you're not just looking at a car. You're looking at a piece of automotive history. A legacy that started with a quirky little Austrian engineer and ended up conquering the world. And if that doesn't get your motor running, well, maybe you should stick to public transport.
