The Porsche 911 remains to be the world’s most iconic sports car. It’s already 49 years old (unveiled at the 1963 Frankfurt Auto Show). Called Neunelfer by die-hard, old-school enthusiasts, its classic silhouette is one recognized universally.
The Clark International Speedway has been host to several car launches over the past two years, with varying degrees of appropriateness. There has probably been none as suitable to the track as this, the all-new Porsche 911 Carrera. We have driven its sibling the Panamera four-door, and it acquitted itself well, and even the Cayenne SUV had its moments. But this, the crown jewel of the Porsche empire, is practically born ready to race.
So Porsche has come out with a new 911 model, internally code-named 991. The changes from the 993, to the 996, then the 997, and now back to 991 don’t seem to make sense.
Penned by Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche (son of Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche), who drew the initial sketches of the 911 back in 1959 to replace the Porsche 356 which was the brand’s first car, the 911 was initially designated as the “901” with a total of only 82 units built. The 911 was to be developed as a more powerful replacement to the aging 356 model and made its debut at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show.
