Alexander Ferdinand Porsche, father of the timeless 911, Dies at 76.

theragingbull · 5th April 2012, 23:18

Professor Porsche was the creative brain behind the one of the world's most iconic sports cars which went on sale in 1963.
Despite being nearly 50 years old, the 911's design has only ever evolved and is still unmistakable from the original model.
A statement from the German company confirmed Professor Porsche, grandson of company founder Ferdinand Porsche, had passed away in Salzburg on Thursday aged 76.

The German designer, nicknamed Butzi, joined the family company in 1956 where he worked in the technical design department.
In 1962 he was made the manager of the Porsche design studios and the following year he showed off the Porsche 901, which was later renamed the 911.

The Porsche, which had a rear-mounted engine, could accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 131mph.
It went on to be a classic and continues to be built today - with the likes of David Beckham, Jenson Button and Richard Hammond known admirers of the unmistakable design.
The company unveiled the seventh generation Porsche 911 last year, with the model well-known for its legendary variants including the RS Carrera and Turbo model.
Matthias Mueller, CEO of Porsche AG, said: "We mourn the death of Ferdinand Alexander Porsche.
"As creator of the Porsche 911 he founded a design company in our culture that shapes our sports cars today.
"His philosophy of good design is for us a legacy that we will continue to do with honour."
Professor Porsche left the company in 1972 and started up the Porsche Design Group, which built a variety of high quality products from kitchens to mobile phones.
Phil Raby, Porsche dealer and specialist from Chichester, said: "When people talk about Porsche, they talk about the 911 and he was responsible for that iconic shape.
"It is one of the few car designs which everyone recognises. I've always admired Porsches and it is the 911 which attracted me to the company."

Source: Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph - Telegraph

shankar.balan · 6th April 2012, 06:22

Its also worth mentioning that Ferdinand Porsche, Alexander's grand-dad, was the driving force behind the iconic design of the VW Beetle, in the 1930's.

D33-PAC · 6th April 2012, 07:49

Porsche will make a car after him...probably greater than the 911 GT1 and CGT, it's so plausible. Hopefully it can eat Veyrons.

anjan_c2007 · 7th April 2012, 17:09

May the icon's soul rest in peace. The cause of his death has not been specified. He was one of the greatest contemporary sports car designers.Now in its 49th year and seventh generation, the 911 has left an indelible imprint in the global sports car arena.
The first time I saw static and dynamic Porsche 911's was in Germany. The car is so sleek and looks like a compact sports car, but the technical specifications are mind boggling.The design is brilliant and different. It grows on you.
Link here to news about the icon:-
The obituary :
Designer of iconic Porsche 911 dies - The Local
A pictorial tribute:
The legendary Porsche 911 - The Local

AdiSinghV12 · 9th April 2012, 13:27

May he R.I.P! Thank you for providing us the greatest, curviest, cutest looking sports car. The automotive industry would surely miss a legend like him.

sgiitk · 9th April 2012, 13:52

May his soul rest in peace. His legacy will never die. A genius if there ever was one.

I fully support the idea of a Porsche named after him. I hope the bosses at VW will agree.

5th April 2012, 23:18	#1
theragingbull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,601 Thanked: 646 Times View My Garage	Alexander Ferdinand Porsche, father of the timeless 911, Dies at 76. Professor Porsche was the creative brain behind the one of the world's most iconic sports cars which went on sale in 1963. Despite being nearly 50 years old, the 911's design has only ever evolved and is still unmistakable from the original model. A statement from the German company confirmed Professor Porsche, grandson of company founder Ferdinand Porsche, had passed away in Salzburg on Thursday aged 76. The German designer, nicknamed Butzi, joined the family company in 1956 where he worked in the technical design department. In 1962 he was made the manager of the Porsche design studios and the following year he showed off the Porsche 901, which was later renamed the 911. The Porsche, which had a rear-mounted engine, could accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 131mph. It went on to be a classic and continues to be built today - with the likes of David Beckham, Jenson Button and Richard Hammond known admirers of the unmistakable design. The company unveiled the seventh generation Porsche 911 last year, with the model well-known for its legendary variants including the RS Carrera and Turbo model. Matthias Mueller, CEO of Porsche AG, said: "We mourn the death of Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. "As creator of the Porsche 911 he founded a design company in our culture that shapes our sports cars today. "His philosophy of good design is for us a legacy that we will continue to do with honour." Professor Porsche left the company in 1972 and started up the Porsche Design Group, which built a variety of high quality products from kitchens to mobile phones. Phil Raby, Porsche dealer and specialist from Chichester, said: "When people talk about Porsche, they talk about the 911 and he was responsible for that iconic shape. "It is one of the few car designs which everyone recognises. I've always admired Porsches and it is the 911 which attracted me to the company." Source: Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph - Telegraph Attached Thumbnails Last edited by theragingbull : 5th April 2012 at 23:22.
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6th April 2012, 06:22	#2
shankar.balan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,368 Thanked: 23,141 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/2 (8)	Re: Alexander Ferdinand Porsche, father of the timeless 911, Dies at 76. Its also worth mentioning that Ferdinand Porsche, Alexander's grand-dad, was the driving force behind the iconic design of the VW Beetle, in the 1930's.
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6th April 2012, 07:49	#3
D33-PAC BANNED Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 911 Thanked: 1,543 Times	Re: Alexander Ferdinand Porsche, father of the timeless 911, Dies at 76. Porsche will make a car after him...probably greater than the 911 GT1 and CGT, it's so plausible. Hopefully it can eat Veyrons.
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7th April 2012, 17:09	#4
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,301 Thanked: 20,481 Times View My Garage	Re: Alexander Ferdinand Porsche, father of the timeless 911, Dies at 76. May the icon's soul rest in peace. The cause of his death has not been specified. He was one of the greatest contemporary sports car designers.Now in its 49th year and seventh generation, the 911 has left an indelible imprint in the global sports car arena. The first time I saw static and dynamic Porsche 911's was in Germany. The car is so sleek and looks like a compact sports car, but the technical specifications are mind boggling.The design is brilliant and different. It grows on you. Link here to news about the icon:- The obituary : Designer of iconic Porsche 911 dies - The Local A pictorial tribute: The legendary Porsche 911 - The Local Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 7th April 2012 at 17:12.
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9th April 2012, 13:27	#5
AdiSinghV12 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: BOM-CCU-PAT Posts: 664 Thanked: 1,128 Times	Re: Alexander Ferdinand Porsche, father of the timeless 911, Dies at 76. May he R.I.P! Thank you for providing us the greatest, curviest, cutest looking sports car. The automotive industry would surely miss a legend like him.
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9th April 2012, 13:52	#6
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,787 Times	Re: Alexander Ferdinand Porsche, father of the timeless 911, Dies at 76. May his soul rest in peace. His legacy will never die. A genius if there ever was one. I fully support the idea of a Porsche named after him. I hope the bosses at VW will agree.
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