Porsche enthusiasts and special guests gather behind the display of six generations of the 911 at Tagaytay Highlands.
Porsche’s 911 sports car remains to be the longest-running sex symbol, having finally reached the very ripe age of 50 years. It was unveiled at the 1963 Frankfurt Auto Show, a brainchild of Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche, son of Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche who was the original designer of the Volkswagen Beetle, and Erwin Komenda who was then head of Porsche’s car body construction.
The 911’s 50-year run can be broken down with the original type 901 which stretched from 1963 to 1989 followed by the 964 until 1993, then followed by the infamous 993 body which was in production until 1997, followed by the 996 which featured water-cooled engines for the first time, after which the popular 997 and finally, the current Type 991 body.
Beauties and some shiny beasts
No other sports car model has lasted as long as the 911. Which is ironic considering that in 1981, Porsche had planned to finish off the 911 and replace it with the less popular 928, a front-engined V8-equipped grand tourer. Thankfully, the powers that be at Porsche decided to extend the life of the 911 to infinity and beyond.
Some other interesting statistics about the 911: Over 870,000 units of the 911 have been produced in various models, trims, designations and versions. Of these, 5 percent are specifically, and purely, for racing, not including converted street-to-race car Porsches done privately. No doubt, the wide array of Porsche 911 race cars has helped it garner a cumulative 28,000 racing victories all over the world, more than any single car make or model in the history of the automobile world.
Today, you can walk into any Porsche dealership in the world (including here in the Philippines) and order your very own Porsche 911 race car, professionally prepared in Porsche’s factory and headquarters in Zuffenhausen, and be eligible to compete in a variety of racing series.
But it’s the romance of driving, the drama of seeing the scenery as it unfolds and whizzes by at a fast-yet-flowing rate that has bewitched drivers of all ages, from all walks of life, lucky or unlucky enough to get their grubby mitts behind the wheel of a Porsche 911. I say unlucky because driving a 911 will always be a most memorable, unforgettable experience.
PGA Cars-Porsche Philippines, in conjunction with Porsche AG’s worldwide plans for the 911’s 50th birthday, invited valued guests, members of the official Porsche Club of the Philippines and select media personalities to the birthday bash at the posh and cool Tagaytay Highlands Golf and Country Club last Oct. 6. Enthusiasts driving a variety of Porsche 911 vintages took the challenging drive up to Tagaytay for a morning filled with fun, camaraderie and a sumptuous brunch, but most of all, to be together with their beloved 911s and fellow 911 petrol head enthusiasts.
The still, cool breeze of Tagaytay was broken by the raspy growl of 66 Porsches, 33 of which were 911s, with some Cayennes and Panameras joining the fun for people who brought their entire families. Indeed, PGA Cars chair Robert Coyiuto Jr. warmly welcomed all guests like family, encouraging them to participate in the picture-taking sessions with the full lineup of 911s from all generations, hosting games and giving away raffle prizes. Metro Manila’s who’s who popped up with their 911s, excited from the drive up to Tagaytay and excited for the drive back home that was to follow.
But even without the fancy country club experience, the tasty brunch buffet and sweet prizes, the air was electrified as enthusiasts shared stories, tuning and maintenance tips as well as memorable 911 drives. It was a truly fun party, with the focus on the 911. Porsche Philippines had set up a small discount counter where brand-new parts for old 911 models as well as lifestyle products for those who just have to wear their favorite brand and sports cars literally on their sleeve.
There was also live music playing famous sounds from the 1960s, the heyday of Porsche’s 911, which got the more senior members in the group all the more excited, singing with the bands much to the amusement of the other guests.
The camaraderie gained in driving a Porsche 911 is truly unique. Indeed, even motoring journalists the world over will always have a soft spot for the 911. And any sports car enthusiast, whether a fan or not, will begrudgingly admit that the 911 is a sports car worth respecting, for its amazing durability, efficiency and, especially for the modern 911, everyday practicality.
Indeed, the best has yet to come for the 911.
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