ThePorschePrinciple
In 1953, the famous Porsche 550 Spyder debuted at the Paris Auto Show. Powered by an extremely quick 4-camshaft engine, the light and agile racecar scored countless international triumphs. In 1956, coinciding with the compa- ny’s 25th anniversary celebrations, the 10,000th Porsche 356 left the factory. At the Targa Florio, the Porsche 550 A Spy- der logged an overall victory for the first time. Throughout the early ’60s, Porsche dominated the European racing circuit, with more overall victories at the Targa Florio and the 12 Hours of Sebring. One year in Formula 2, Porsche finished first, second, and third in the 150 Miles of Aintree in Great Britain. In 1962, the 50,000th Porsche, a 356 B, rolled off the assembly line. In Weissach, the first segment of the new test grounds became operational. In Formula 1, Porsche won the French Grand Prix. In 1964, Porsche 911, launched in the
previous year as the 901, went into series production. Two years later, presented as the Safety Cabriolet, the Porsche 911 Targa was introduced and entered series production. In 1968, Porsche achieves its first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona with the Type 907-8. The grand successes of the previous year at the 1,000-kilometre race on the Nürbur- gring and the Targa Florio were repeated. The 911T won the Monte Carlo Rally. The following year, Porche again wins the Monte Carlo Rally, the Targa Florio, and for the first time, wins the World Cham- pionship of Makes with the 908/02 and the new 917. More Porsches were introduced over the next four decades, including the 914, 924, 928, 944, 959, Boxster, Carrera GT, Cayenne, Cayman, and the all-new Pana- mera, but none have enjoyed the loyalty or longevity of the famed 911, now enter- ing it’s 57th year in production. The Porsche Principle is Porsche’s
Magna Carta. It is based on values and philosophies that, together, create added value. The Porsche Principle is about a company that consistently goes its own way. In public life they decline subsi- dies. Social acceptance is paramount to Porsche. On the business base issue, Porsche is committed to Germany and is proud of the “Made in Germany” cachet. Porsche has definite ideas on how they develop and produce their vehicles. In ad- dition to maximum cost-effectiveness, ve- hicles must comply to the incredibly high standards Porsche established for them- selves. Quality, environmental protection, and safety are what counts most. Porsche integrates their suppliers in the develop- ment process from the very first new car concept. The Porsche Principle is also about responsibility to the customer, and to Porsche’s heritage — a heritage rooted in motorsport, where Porsche has written history on the track. Porsche concentrates on what they do best: building sports cars.
The author’s white 1982 Porsche 911 SC Targa
3 9 • F I N K ’ S J E W E L E R S
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