5 Facts About the Porsche 911

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Is the 911 the most quintessential sports car design ever?

I’d throw it the same bucket as the Coca-Cola Bottle, Eames Lounge Chair, Fender Stratocaster, or even the Rubik’s Cube. Some designs are so ubiquitous, so influential, that its simply hard to imagine a world without them. Some designs, 911 included, probably do live up to the hype. So, here are 5 fast facts about the 911.

ONE: The Porsche 911 Was Originally Named the 901
When it debuted Sat the Frankfurt International Motor Show on September 12th, 1963, the Porsche 911 was still called the Porsche 901. However, Peugeot claimed the rights to any three-digit car name with a "0" in the middle. To avoid a legal battle over three numbers, Porsche agreed to change the name to 911—a decision that would cement the number as one of the most iconic in automotive history.

F.A. Porsche, designer of the 911, with a 1:5-scale model 911 S Targa. Circa 1968

TWO: Designed by Ferdinand "Butzi" Porsche
The 911’s design work was led by Ferdinand "Butzi" Porsche, son of Ferry Porsche. His vision for a sleek, modern body with a fastback profile and a rear-mounted engine resulted in a car that combined Porsche's racing heritage with a more refined, everyday driving experience.

Early 911 vs. Modern 911 (992). Car & Driver.

THREE: The First 911 Was Tiny (by modern standards)

Todays’ 911 (992) weighs 48% more than its first-production ancestor. See detailed measurements below:

1963 original Porsche 901 (later to become the 911):
Wheelbase: 2211mm
Length: 4290mm
Width: 1700mm
HeightL 1300mm

2023 Porsche 911 Carrera (type 992):
Wheelbase: 2450mm
Length 4519mm
Width 1852mm
Height 1298mm

Early 911. Fuchs wheels wouldn’t appear until 1965.

FOUR: The First Production 911 Cost Only $6K
According to Car & Driver, the first production 911’s in 1964 sold for $6,490. Adjusting for inflation, that represents about $65,000 in today’s dollars - certainly a far cry from the $120,000 starting price for today’s base models.

Zuffenhausen: Home of 911 Production

FIVE: It's Been in Continuous Production Since 1964
The 911 has been in non-stop production for over 60 years, making it one of the longest-running sports car nameplates ever. Since the beginning of the Porsche 911's production in 1963, around 1.2 million of the vehicles have been produced at the Zuffenhausen facility in Stuttgart.

“901” Prototype 1963

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