75th YEARS OF PORSCHE AT THE 2023 CIAS

PORSCHE THROUGH TIME: A CAPTIVATING TRIBUTE AT THE 2023 TORONTO AUTO SHOW


• EDITIED BY ALAIN LEMIRE 

 

• PUBLICATION: 1 OCTOBER 2019

 

      In the exhilarating chapter of 2023, the automotive world marks 75 years of sports car marvel since the inception in 1948 with the Porsche 356 Pre A until the 2022 Porsche Taycan, the 1st electric car from the constructor.

      The stage is set with an exhibition divided into four captivating sections that make us travelling back in time.

 

 

In this report, the car display was done with along side wall parking except for the 4 cars outside the room and the 3 top Porsches. It lets me be possible to photograph the cars in 2 standard angles of views, side and front 3/4.

 


 THE MASTERPIECE INTRO

 

Before entering the display, I pause before a beacon of the event – the 1969 Porsche 917 LH (Long-Tail). This machine once claimed the pole position at the legendary 1000 km of Spa, a testament to its blazing speed.

Yet, history's shadows also linger. 

 

Amid the echoes of triumph, the 24 Hours of Le Mans bore witness to tragedy, as a private pilot met his fate at the helm of this very machine. 

 

The journey of greatness weaves both glory and sorrow, etching a timeless tale.

 

 PART 1: THE 356s

 

In a thrilling journey, the Porsche 356 Pre A series emerged from the mind of Ferry Porsche, son of Ferdinand. A masterpiece of innovation, the first 52 of this series were meticulously handcrafted in Austria between 1948 and 1950. Their bodies, a symphony of aluminum panels, whispered of speed and grace.

The 1952 Porsche 356 Pre A, a black marvel, rise from Stuttgart with a steel body, marking an evolution in prowess. This saga unfolded until 1955, capturing the essence of an era.

Across the Atlantic, the American importer beckoned for a cabriolet variant, a bold gambit to rival the British subcompacts. In this high-stakes dance of competition, history set the stage for an automotive revolution.

In the heart-pounding realm, behold the crimson 1959 Porsche 356 A Carrera GT Speedster (1 of 14 with the 692/3 engine) – a treasure born from the stripped-down lineage, adorned in a body of feather-light aluminum panels. Its race-bred performance defies its modest displacement, rivaling machines two or three times its size.

Fast forward to the riveting 1962 Porsche 356 B 1600 Roadster, gracing the exhibition with a celestial echo. A tribute to Janis Joplin's iconic ride, it mirrors her spirit with a psychedelic paint job that weaves the tale of the cosmos. Behold the god'seye of the universe gazing from its hood, a mesmerizing journey in art and power.

The cars presented:

1952 Porsche 356 Pre A (black)

1959 Porsche 356 A Carrera GT Speedster (Crimson)

1962 Porsche 356 B 1600 Roadster (Janis Joplin car recreation)

 

 

 PART 2: PORSCHE RACE CARS FORM 1970-1984

 

The 1970 Porsche 911 ST Lightweight – a gem among the rare, with only 33 ever crafted. Born to conquer the fierce battlegrounds of Group 4 Special GT by FIA, every ounce of luxury was shed, every panel was slimmed, every wheel was narrowed, all for the noble cause of shedding weight and unleashing power.

As the echoes of Formula 1 faded, the 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS stepped into the spotlight, engineered for grandeur in the class GT. A pursuit of excellence manifested in the assembly of 100 units, each endowed with a fiberglass body – a pioneering innovation from the hands of Porsche.

And as the curtain rises, the 1981 Porsche 924 GTR emerges, #2 of an elite 17. A herald of innovation, it was the first front-engine, water-cooled marvel unveiled in 1976. As the 4th chapter in its lineage, following the regular 924, the 924 Turbo, and the 924 Carrera GT, it stands as a testament to relentless progress.

The cars presented:

The 1970 Porsche 911 ST Lightweight

1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS

1981 Porsche 924 GTR

 


 

 PART 3: PORSCHE FOR THE STREETS DURING THE 80s & 90s

 

In a riveting tale of time, the 1984 Porsche 928 S made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show in 1977. It emerged as a beacon of luxury, standing tall amidst its brethren. Offering a robust 234 horses in American guise, a soaring 300 on European shores, power knew no bounds.

The year 1987 unleashed a red marvel – the 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Slantnose (930S). Among the elite 948 to be birthed, its heart beat to the rhythm of a 3.3L engine, a raging 330 horses tamed within.

In the tapestry of 1996, the German legend ushered in an era of firsts with the Porsche 911 Turbo (993). Twin turbos roared, four wheels danced in unison, and a 6-speed manual transmission sang a symphony of power. As 402 horses galloped, it was a performance like no other, etching its name in history's book of triumphs.

 

The cars presented:

1984 Porsche 928 S

1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Slantnose (930S)

1996 Porsche 911 Turbo (993)

 


 

 PART 4: THE EXCLUSIVE ONES

 

In a breathtaking saga, the year 1983 unveiled this model as a rally racing concept in the Group category, casting its spell at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort, fresh from its inaugural production year, followed the triumphs of two beasts engineered for the Paris-Dakar 1986.

Within its core, a ferocious 2.85L engine galloped forth with an arsenal of 443 horses. A mere 326 units of this marvel would grace the world by 1989, adorned with a revolutionary traction control system that shifted power effortlessly between front and rear wheels, conquering every twist in the road.

Built from 2003 to 2006, the finer carbon monocoque-bodied 2006 Porsche Carrera GT burst onto the scene, embodying the pinnacle of innovation. The V10 engine, roaring with 603 horses, crowned it as Porsche's mightiest road car of its era, drawing inspiration from the glorious GT racing heritage.

In the evolution of legends, the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder emerged as the marque's premier hybrid, a fusion of power that heralded 887 horses in unison. With a limited 918 units to be born, this supercar etched a new chapter in the symphony of speed, crafting a harmonious dance between performance and sustainability.

The cars presented:

1987 Porsche 959 Komfort (Red)

2006 Porsche Carrera GT (Silver)

2015 Porsche 918 Spyder

 


 

 THE 3 OTHER PORSCHE OUTSIDE THE EXHIBITION ROOM

 

As the journey draws to its close, three illustrious machines remain for your gaze. Behold the 2004 Porsche GT3 RS, an embodiment of sporting excellence, an exclusive gem crafted in a mere thousand units.

Gaze upon the resplendent 2021 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition, a pioneering beacon of heritage, heralding a new era of legacy within the iconic 911 lineage.

And finally, brace yourself for the 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, a symphonic fusion of power and innovation, an electrifying evolution derived from the marque's first foray into the electric realm.

The cars presented:

2004 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (White and blue)

2021 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition (Dark red with white decals)

2022 Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo (Medium blue)

 


 

 THE FINAL OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION

 

Like I often do when I visit this kind of exhibition, I took some overview pictures to show the floor setup and the most cars I can include in a shot! 

Some say "I would like to be a bird to see that!" 

 


 

So, this is the end of this special 75th anniversary commemoration exhibition held at the 2023 Canadian International Auto Show!

A special thanks to the Cobble Beach Concours d'Élégance and Porsche for this museum quality display.

To know more about the Cobble Beach Concours d'Élégance, feel free to visit the event website for the next dates and car brand features: 

https://www.cobblebeachconcours.com/

 


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