The Brilliant Porsche 911 Mold and the Targa that Broke it

More than half a century ago, Porsche shocked the world with a brand-new sports car design. The now iconic 911 would not only define a new type of performance car, it would further establish a lasting history of unique signature architecture; one that continues to inspire designs today. The Frankfurt Motor Show had seen many innovative launches, particularly as technology advanced in the 1960s, but the 1963 911 was something more than a mere replacement for the highly successful 356. Instead, the all-new 911 arrived with more power, more comfort, and, inclusive of the 912, at a surprisingly favorable price. When compared against heavier front-engine exotics, the nimble 911 capably matched these brutes, with a low, light, visually radical shape. The 911 immediately became the darling of the automotive press, and rightly so. Performance and sales were brisk, but as Porsche often did, immediate performance and design enhancements were readily evolving as engineers tapped into their prodigious racing program and the expanding U.S. market sought new options and features for the growing Porsche community.