Currently reading: Ferdinand Porsche: 1935-2012
Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the designer of the classic 911, has died at the age of 76

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the man credited with the design of the original Porsche 911 sportscar has died today at the age of 76.

Born on December 11 1935 in Stuttgart, Porsche was the grandson of Porsche founder Ferdinand Porsche (the automotive engineer and pioneer who created the Mercedes-Benz compressor and Volkswagen Beetle) and the son of Ferry Porsche.

Porsche followed in the footsteps of his illustrious forebears and designed the 911 in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with the car making its first official appearance at the Frankfurt motor show in 1963.

He also designed a number of racing cars for Porsche, before leaving in 1972 when the company went public. He remained on the supervisory board until the mid-2000s.

A statement from Matthias Müller, chief executive officer of Porsche AG, said: “As creator of the Porsche 911, he established a design culture that molds our sportscars still today. His philosophy of good design is for us a legacy that we will also honour in the future.”

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mrcliodCi 6 April 2012

Re: Ferdinand Porsche: 1935-2012

One of the most celebrated sports cars of all time.

A sad loss. Porsche is right up there with Issigonis in terms of engineering brilliance in my book.

Peter Cavellini 6 April 2012

Re: Ferdinand Porsche: 1935-2012

Autocar wrote:
Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the man credited with the design of the original Porsche 911 sportscar has died today at the age of 76.

Born on December 11 1935 in Stuttgart, Porsche was the grandson of Porsche founder Ferdinand Porsche (the automotive engineer and pioneer who created the Mercedes-Benz compressor and Volkswagen Beetle) and the son of Ferry Porsche.

Porsche followed in the footsteps of his illustrious forebears and designed the 911 in the late 1950s and early 1960s, wi...Read the full article

Best people's sports car?, the 911?

cimardinius 6 April 2012

Re: Ferdinand Porsche: 1935-2012

It is sad too that Jim Marshall (designer of Marshall guitar amps) has dies at the same time.

Both designed products that, in their own way, help define a generation.

Also, both products have stood the test of time as the basic design has not really been improved upon - developed and kept up-to-date yes, but the fundamental initial design was just about perfect. Also, both products are immensely rugged and fit-for-purpose... ...there are 911s around with 1,000,000 kms and Marshall amps that have been on tour a thousand times.