Torque Magazine Issue 7 by porschecentremelbourne

TOR QUE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF P ORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

The new Taycan

A LAUNCH LIKE NO OTHER

PAGE 18

356B Restoration

A PORSCHE DREAM REALISED

PAGE 14

Celebrating

70 YEARS OF PORSCHE IN AUSTRALIA PAGE 44

Celebrating our team with a combined

CONTENTS

OUR COMMUNITY

Porsche Centre Melbourne has a rich history with many longstanding client relationships. We continue to engage with the PCM community, and are grateful for their ongoing support.

PG 12

FEATURE: Porsche returns to Albury with the all new Taycan.

NEW MODELS

Porsche continues to push the envelope with a range of exciting new models launching this year.

PG 18

FEATURE: The new Taycan. A launch like no other.

OUR TEAM

As we celebrate 70 years of Porsche sportscars in Australia we couldn’t think of a better time to share some of the hard working members of our team here at Porsche Centre Melbourne.

A NOD TO THE PAST

Along with celebrating models that will forever be written down in history as ‘some of the best’ that Porsche have created, we take a look at the interesting history of Porsche in Australia - all 70 years.

PG 52

FEATURE: Introducing the Porsche C20 Prototype.

SHOP THE LOOK The Porsche Driver’s Selection range is always available online, but here we feature a few of our favourites.

A CELEBRATION EDITION 70 YEARS OF PORSCHE SPORTSCARS IN AUSTRALIA.

Welcome to the seventh edition of Torque Magazine, a celebration of 70 years of Porsche in Australia. 2021 marks 70 years of Porsche in Australia and a significant milestone for Porsche Centre Melbourne. Our founding organisation, Hamilton’s Automotive, was formed soon after the first 356 models were imported to Australia in late 1951. Seven decades later, we look back and reflect on the success of not only Porsche sportscars in Australia, but the people who have contributed to this – our staff.

Our cover reflects all 89 members of our PCM team representing a staggering 791 combined years of service. This wealth of experience and expertise, along with unrivalled Porsche passion is at the heart of PCM and something that we are immensely proud of. In February, we welcomed the Taycan, the first all-electric sportscar from Porsche. A launch like no other - order holders experienced the unprecedented performance of an electric vehicle firsthand on an experiential drive before returning to a transformed dealership – read more about the launch on page 18.

More recently the Taycan’s off-road wagon variant has joined the model line up as the ‘Taycan Cross Turismo’ offering increased load capacity and ground clearance, whilst providing the same exciting driving experience. A truly unique and commemorative vehicle for the 70th anniversary of Porsche in Australia will arrive shortly in our showroom - the 911 GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition. A product of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the vehicle is a fitting tribute to our storied history – read more about the options and features on page 34.

TORQUE CONTRIBUTORS Piero Pellegrini

General Manager

Porsche Centre Melbourne

Kate Holcombe

Marketing Manager

Porsche Centre Melbourne

Llewellyn Richards CRM Specialist

Porsche Centre Melbourne

Ben Musu

Sportscar & Classic Specialist Porsche Centre Melbourne

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

Contact Porsche Centre Melbourne on (03) 9473 0917 or email: torque@porschemelbourne.com.au

In September we welcomed Daniel Schmollinger, succeeding Sam Curtis as CEO and Managing Director of Porsche Cars Australia. I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of the dealership and our client community to express my sincere thanks to Sam who embarks on a new chapter after 7 years in the role - learn more about Daniel’s Porsche career to date on page 16. Whilst the year hasn’t turned out as we would have hoped, we trust you are able to join us on a symbolic journey as we celebrate this anniversary together. We have seen many of our clients join us online whether it be via our virtual offerings or our social channels. Thank you for joining us.

I’d like to take this opportunity to once again thank our valued clients for your continued support. We hope that you and your family are well at this time and look forward to welcoming you back to the dealership soon. Happy reading!

porschemelbourne.com.au porschemelbourne

Piero Pellegrini

General Manager

porschemelbourneclassic porschecentremelbourne porschecentremelbourne

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

OPEN TRACK DAY

Porsche Centre Melbourne returned to Phillip Island on Tuesday 30 March to host PCM Motorsport clients for an open track experience.

A beautiful autumn day and world renowned track. Phillip Island GP Circuit provided the perfect environment for our motorsport enthusiasts to experience the full potential of their Porsches!

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PHILLIP ISLAND GP CIRCUIT

27 participants attended the experience including five Manthey-Racing cars converted by the PCM Motorsport Department. The event was captured on film which featured two Taycans on track following their Australian launch in February as a nod to the future linking Motorsport to electrification. We would like to thank all who attended and look forward to hosting future track experiences.

View our event film

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

911 GT3 RS MR CONVERSION Simultaneous 911 GT3 RS MR conversions and Sydney Motorsport Park Track Day.

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Two 911 GT3 RS Manthey-Racing conversion kits were simultaneously fitted by the Porsche Centre Melbourne Motorsport Department on Wednesday 24 March before they made their interstate debut at Sydney Motorsport Park the following day with the support of the PCM Motorsport team.

TO FIND OUT MORE

on Manthey products available through the PCM Motorsport Department visit:

porschemelbourne.com.au/manthey

View installation captured via time-lapse

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

SOCIAL GOLF DAY

It was our pleasure to welcome back Porsche Centre Melbourne golfers to Huntingdale Golf Club on Monday 22 March.

Golf continues to be one of the most popular hobbies of our clients as demonstrated by another record attendance of enthusiast owners.

A special thank you to pro golfer and PCM Motorsport client Richard Green for his attendance and championing our ‘Beat the Pro’ competition!

Congratulations to our Women’s and Men’s individual stableford winners Young Sook and George.

We congratulate all attendees on their participation and are pleased to share with you the final results below.

If you are a PCM client and would like to express your interest in attending future PCM Social Golf Days, please email: events@porschemelbourne.com.au

OVERALL WINNERS WOMEN’S OVERALL STABLEFORD

MEN’S OVERALL STABLEFORD

Young Sook Eddington 39 pts First Second Kym Sandford 36 pts Third Louise Tierney 36 pts

George Andrianopoulos First Second Andrew Cattermole Third Peter Holcombe

SOCIAL WINNERS

39 pts 37 pts* 37 pts * On countback

Dale Bradley First Second Jerry Hsu Third Garth Fountain-Smith

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Richard Green

Nick McBride & Richard Green

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

PORSCHE RETURNS TO ALBURY

Discover the all new Taycan

Visitors had the opportunity to explore the latest in the Porsche model range, talk to a Porsche expert, build their dream Porsche, discover the brand’s heritage and experience the thrill of driving the 911 GT2 RS at speed on a driving simulator. The PCM team also provided information and facilitated test drives with prospective customers directly from QEII Square.

‘Porsche in Motion’ is an experiential roadshow like no other taking the sportscar brand ‘on the road’ to locations not currently home to a Porsche Centre. The two bespoke Australian designed and built mobile trailers or ‘pods’ demonstrate the engineering know-how consistent with Porsche and provide Porsche customers and fans of the German sportscar manufacturer with behind the scenes access to Porsche’s iconic history. The brand pod unlocks the fascination of Porsche’s heritage, Intelligent Performance philosophy and the future of the sportscar. Equipped with LED screens, sound and vision touchscreen consoles and Porsche Driver’s Selection display, the pod offers an interactive and exclusive experience of Porsche.

Meanwhile Porsche’s new car range is the focus for the showroom pod, with visitors having the opportunity to configure their own Porsche via the Porsche Fitting Lounge and Porsche Car Configurator. This was PCM’s third visit to Albury following successful activations in 2016 and 2018.

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Porsche Centre Melbourne returned to Albury on 21 - 23 May with the interactive roadshow ‘Porsche in Motion’, bringing the first all-electric Porsche Taycan to QEII Square for one weekend only.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

A chance encounter brought a Porsche dream to life. The daily ‘goings-on’ of an automotive workshop are changing, and they have been for many decades. As cars like ours become more developed, more refined and definitely more efficient, so too is the activity in a workshop. Your modern Porsche requires maintenance, as any mechanical device does and, even as the world moves away from combustion engines (a move led by the innovation of companies like Porsche), it is impossible to have a vehicle that will not require some periodic maintenance to ensure its efficiency, and its safety. As one can imagine, the tasks of the highlytrained personnel in the workshop at Porsche Centre Melbourne are more refined and to a great extent, more defined, as the precision of the mechanical and electronic engineering of the manufacturing processes are improved. We’re happy to say that not every job started at PCM is defined by a well-trodden path of repetition and known quantity. In the domain of the Porsche enthusiast, the opportunity to deliver a car from the company’s past as a truck load comprising of a body shell, an engine and gearbox, and several (dozen) boxes ‘of bits’, while not exactly a common occurrence, it’s not something that we shy away from. And we certainly didn’t when Theo Dimopoulos did exactly that.

View more photos

Pictured, Niki & Theo Dimopoulos with Peter Bowen.

15 Twenty years ago, Theo didn’t own a Porsche. He’d been bitten by the bug though, and hard – he had a burning desire to find himself the right 356.

Niki wasn’t blind to the charm of these cars, and before too long was starting to take an interest. By her own admission, Niki was blind to cars, not a ‘car person’ as she puts it, however this didn’t stop her from taking a starring role in the ultimate end of this story. One fine day, Theo came across an advert that sounded promising; a white 1961 T5B Coupé with a red interior, with matching numbers and delivered by Hamilton’s. After speaking to the owner in Perth though, he quickly decided that something didn’t sound quite right, and sadly cleared the thought of the car from his mind. A few days later Niki came across the details of the car, along with the contact number, which had been noted down by Theo and left on his desk. It started an idea and a chain of events that even Niki admits, saw her going down an uncharted road! Unbeknown to Theo, Niki phoned and spoke to the owner and whilst he was indeed in Perth, the car was only around the corner in Malvern. Hours later, she found herself staring at the car, not quite knowing what she was looking at, but definitely having a good feeling about it. She needed the services of an expert and duly enlisted one, hijacking the same model-expert that had been found by her own husband! Taking care to cover her tracks, Niki embarked on a covert mission to have the car inspected – which went off without a hitch. She went along for a drive, and it felt right. Outcome? The car was worth buying, which left Niki with yet another predicament: how to purchase it without being discovered. Phone calls were made, and bank accounts disabled – leaving Theo with no opportunity to discover the transaction. So far, brilliant.

Less than 48 hours before Theo’s birthday the plan was in jeopardy – Theo smelled a rat! Determined not to be foiled, Niki decided to go early. The car was discretely delivered and deposited in the driveway, a bow draped over it, and the plan was revealed to the bemused recipient – more or less his response unprintable here, in its verbatim format! The T5 was pressed into service, and Theo and Niki have great memories of getting from place to place in it, before their children with their dog crammed into the jump seats behind them. After 5 years, the car’s use started to reduce. Children, and busier lives forced the car into the same status as many cars of its type; relegation. The flame never goes out, but it weakens until there’s a tipping point… Theo made a decision that the car required work, and off it went for inspection and blasting, with results that prompted head scratching. Though Theo knew that the car’s numbers matched and that it was a Hamilton’s car, he was surprised and delighted to learn that it left Stuttgart in October 1960 – in Aetna Blue. If there was a catalyst for cementing a decision to restore it, this might’ve well been it. Slowly but surely, the restoration started with the car being dismantled and its secrets learnt. Cars are no different to antiques, but they lead harder lives and Porsche cars are rarely mollycoddled – they’re intended to be used, and overwhelmingly they are, but it can leave signs. The first phase of restoration would be investigation and a decision about what the ultimate outcome would be and, whilst there was work done, it was not until 2017 that Theo saw the ultimate outcome become clear. In early 2017, Theo made contact with Porsche Classic. The fact that the factory was so

passionate and intent on providing assistance to the owners of classic models appealed greatly, and the idea of shipping the car to Germany was contemplated. Theo though, is the type who likes to be involved and has, over the course of this journey played an integral role himself. Scores of emails and messages, phone calls and in-person meetings with Peter Bowen at PCM have seen decisions made on originality, and various choices between as many as four options on the same part! Theo calls Peter’s knowledge, dedication and above all his resourcefulness “invaluable”. Whilst, to use Theo’s words, “a tonne” of the parts used in the car have come through PCM parts, there were still items that were unobtainable. Measures used in some restorations, like substituting screws where rivets belong, or making a particular reproduction seal fit when out there in the world there was a better alternative, was simply not part of the plan. Enthusiasts of 356s will know, they are full of date-stamped parts too, and all of this combines to form total correctness in a finished restoration. Between Theo and Peter, they’d ended up with twelve steel road wheels to get to a perfect set of four, and one proper spare! Nothing was overlooked. In the closing stages of this labour of love, Theo’s regard for his decision to keep the car in Australia and to use our expertise at PCM, he likens to “Germany coming to Australia”. And so, sixty-one years after it was delivered new by Hamilton’s, and twenty years after Theo and Niki acquired it, the car will leave Porsche Centre Melbourne finished. Some say ‘perfect’, but not of course to remain that way, as Theo’s mantra is like ours - that cars are to be used. Niki calls the acquisition of this car one of her greatest achievements, and Theo regards the car’s story in his ownership to be a family story. The car was never supposed to be anything more than a fun car, and it will remain that way. Its restoration is part of that fun, and its continued ownership will be just that. And who knows, it might even be the reason that Niki finally finds a reason to learn how to use a clutch…

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A thorough search ensued and like many of us who’ve been bitten by that bug, we seem to subject all those around us to learning to appreciate the same passions. His wife Niki did not escape this education, to say the least!

With the intent of gifting the car to him for his birthday on October 2, 2001 and like the storyline of a Hollywood drama (or comedy if you listen to Niki’s version), the plan unfolded nearly perfectly. Niki even found an avenue to order ‘TD356’ from VicRoads, to have mounted to the car and said model-expert was even enlisted to create a decoy to prevent Theo from galloping off and buying another car.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

DANIEL SCHMOLLINGER

Introducing the CEO & Managing Director, Porsche Cars Australia

Q: You’re no stranger to Australia. But how are you finding Melbourne so far? DS: My last visit to Australia was an amazing trip in 2019. Back then, without knowing about my future here, I was thinking how cool it would be to live and work in Australia.

Based on our product portfolio, I have confidence that we can continue this success story. Porsche will continue to have the typical driving dynamics, sophisticated design and benchmark performance well into the future, not to mention the almost endless amount of personalisation options an owner can explore and select to suit every individual taste.

From 2009 to 2014, I had the chance to support Porsche Cars Australia as the director Another part of the business I look forward to of this region at Porsche AG. So from this is the modernisation of our Porsche Centres, role I have met many of my new Australian including Porsche Centre Melbourne, something colleagues already. I’ve worked on in previous years and am excited Q: You’ve worked for Porsche for 17 years. to continue. And you join as the brand celebrates 70 years Q: Over the course of your 17 years with the in Australia. What are you most looking brand, what are some of your highlights? forward to as the new leader in Australia? DS: I feel blessed and honoured to have worked DS: First of all, happy birthday to Porsche with the brand for such a long period of time. in Australia. It’s been an amazing 70 years Personally, the grand opening of the Porsche of passion and motorsport culture. Experience Centre in Shanghai, China, as well Obviously, the automotive industry is as my first personal meeting with Dr. Wolfgang transitioning into a new era of electromobility Porsche in 2018, were moments I will never forget. and connectivity. With the launch of the And of course, the appointment as the new CEO Taycan, our first fully electric sportscar, we and Managing Director of Porsche Cars Australia have taken the first step into this era – and is very special to me, as this is the achievement dare I say it, with a strong start in Australia. of a life-long goal. I am looking forward to being part of this journey.

Q: You are currently driving a Taycan as your daily car. How is your experience in it so far? DS: My first personal contact with the Taycan was in Barcelona during the introduction event for our global dealer network. I still remember how impressed I was by the agile and dynamic handling of the car on a racetrack. Here in Melbourne, I drive the car on a daily basis. Besides the feeling of having almost ‘endless’ torque and power, I rely very much on the navigation system, being new to the city. I have to admit though … driving on the left-hand side of the road still gives me a cold sweat sometimes. Q: On the topic of electrification, where do you see Porsche heading with EV technology in the future? DS: Not to give too much away, it is clear that EV technology is the future. There is no way around it. Porsche AG has announced a clear global powertrain strategy with three pillars; increasingly efficient internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and purely electric vehicles. There are other elements to this, such as research and development into eFuels. But clearly EVs are a massive part of our future. It’s an exciting time for the industry, especially for Porsche.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

View event film

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A LAUNCH LIKE NO OTHER The best way to describe the Taycan is 73 years of research and development with cutting edge technology, the result can only be outstanding. - Piero Pellegrini The much anticipated arrival of the Taycan was celebrated in late February with Porsche Centre Melbourne order holders. It had been an exciting journey for some of our clients who had followed the Mission E concept since its announcement in 2015.

Continued on next page

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

To celebrate the special occasion, PCM General Manager Piero Pellegrini elected to put clients behind the wheel and experience what the Taycan is all about.

Seeing the expressions on our clients faces when they returned from the drive validated what we all thought and have known about this exciting new vehicle, it truly is an exciting evolution to the Porsche model range. The PCM team curated a spirited drive that enabled owners to appreciate the full potential of the Taycan over a mix of city, freeway and urban fringe roads. On return to the dealership they entered an electrifying celebration zone, with the service driveway transformed into a runway to herald the return of our driving participants.

PCM enters a new era with the Porsche Taycan and it is exciting to share this journey with not only long term clients but many first time Porsche owners.

The Taycan is a revolutionary step in Porsche’s story of electrification. - James den-Bakker E-Performance Specialist

Jordan purchased his first Porsche, the new Taycan Turbo in May this year. Originally from the US, Jordan is a Cryptocurrency trader and student who has always been fascinated with electrification and long aspired to own an electric vehicle. A Tesla and Audi were considered before test driving the Taycan, whose performance and technology was particularly appealing as well as the electric sound, design and interior space.

“It’s such an enjoyable and impressive car to drive, my background in tech meant that not only the performance, but the lines and look of the Taycan were a standout to me”.

Interestingly, Jordan has made a conscious decision to forgo a home charging unit. He visits the nearby ChargeFox charger when required, and hasn’t suffered from ‘charge anxiety’. In fact, his Taycan has rarely fallen below 30% owing to his strategy of keeping it topped up like his iPhone. Whilst international travel is off the cards for a while, Jordan has a large list of regional locations that he’d like to visit over the coming months, when restrictions ease.

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A FAN OF ALL THINGS FUTURISTIC

First time Porsche owner Jordan and his Taycan Turbo.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

BOXSTER 25 YEARS PORSCHE PAYS HOMAGE

FAST FACTS

BOXSTER 25 YEARS $187,200^ 293km/h

0-100km/h: 4.5 secs 294 kW (400 PS*)

Porsche is celebrating the 25th birthday of its roadster family with a special anniversary model: the Boxster 25 Years.

It refers to numerous design features of the Boxster concept car that heralded the success story of the open-top two-seater at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show. The production version was launched in 1996 with hardly any changes in its visual appearance and is now in its fourth generation after production of more than 357,000 units. One of the most striking features of the special model is the reinterpreted colour Neodyme, a copper-like shimmering brown, which provided an exciting contrast to the basic GT Silver Metallic colour on the pioneering 1993 showpiece. In the special edition, it is used on the front apron, the side air intakes with mono bar as well as for the lettering and the two-tone 20-inch alloy wheels. Porsche is offering the Boxster 25 Years in GT Silver Metallic although Jet Black Metallic and Carrara White Metallic are also available. Another striking element can be found on the fuel filler cap, which is enhanced by Porsche script from the Exclusive Design range.

This shines in an aluminium look as do the high-gloss tailpipes of the sports exhaust system while the windscreen surround is finished in contrasting Black.

In keeping with the style of the historic original, the special model combines a Bordeaux leather interior with a red fabric convertible top. The convertible top bears embossed Boxster 25 lettering. Both are also available in Black. An interior package in Aluminium, 14-way electrically adjustable sports seats, door sill trims with ‘Boxster 25’ lettering and the heated GT multifunction sports leather steering wheel are just some of the features on the new model’s extended standard equipment list. The power plant of the anniversary edition offers pure exhilaration: the 4.0-litre flat-six engine of the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is also used as a higher-power variant in the purist 718 Spyder. With effortless response, exceptional power delivery and a rich sound, the high-revving 294 kW / 400 PS* (horsepower) naturally aspirated engine guarantees an especially emotive driving experience.

Porsche is offering the Boxster 25 Years with a manual six-speed transmission and a seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK). The special-edition model reaches a top speed of 293 km/h and, in combination with the PDK gearbox and standard Sport Chrono package, accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in four seconds. Other standard features include Porsche Active Suspension Management sports suspension (PASM), which is 10 millimetres lower, and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical limitedslip differential. They combine remarkable ride comfort and sporty, dynamic handling. In Australia, the Boxster 25 Years will be equipped with automatic dimming mirrors and rain sensor, seat heating, Lane Change Assist, cruise control, ParkAssist (front and rear) including reversing camera, Porsche Entry & Drive, interior surveillance, 2-zone automatic climate control, Light Design Package, Apple CarPlay®, digital radio, Power steering Plus, Tyre sealing compound and electric air compressor. The new Boxster 25 Years is available to order now and is priced from $187,200^.

TO FIND OUT MORE on the new Boxster 25 Years model contact the

Porsche Centre Melbourne Sales Department on (03) 9473 0917.

^Prices are recommended retail prices before statutory on-road and dealer delivery charges, which vary from State to State and between dealers. Driveaway pricing available via the Porsche Car Configurator at Porsche.com.au. All prices shown are based on a standard specification vehicle with no optional equipment (unless otherwise selected). Final prices may vary from dealer to dealer and according to individual circumstances. Prices are subject to change without notice. Please contact an Official Porsche Centre to obtain specific information about prices, vehicles and features. * PS (PferdeStärke, German for horsepower) is the standard unit used in the European Union to measure the power output of a motor in ‘metric horsepower’.

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This edition is limited to 1,250 units worldwide and is based on the GTS 4.0 model, which is powered by a 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine with 294 kW / 400 PS* (horsepower).

The model strategy providing a way forward in the mid-1990’s was reflected in the first water-cooled production flat-six engine and also in the intelligent carry-over parts concept that made its debut with the agile mid-engined roadster. This concept was incorporated into the 996 generation 911, which was launched a year later, and made it possible for Porsche to return to profitable production. The attractively priced two-seater captured the hearts of new, younger customers right from the start. In terms of looks, it incorporated features of the already renowned history of the brand. The visual appearance of the Boxster concept car shown in Detroit evoked

images of the legendary 550 Spyder and the 718 RS 60 Spyder racing car. It was received so well in January 1993 that the Porsche Executive Board intervened in the ongoing design development of the production model and ordered, without further ado: “Build the concept car just like that”. As time would tell, it was a wise decision. When the production model was launched in August 1996, it bore a strong resemblance to the motor show star. Since it shared its front end with the 996 generation 911, there was no question about its lineage.

The Boxster was a true Porsche.

At the same time, its centrally installed flat-six engine, which initially had a displacement of 2.5 litres and an output of 159 kW / 204 PS* (horsepower), was engineered to meet stricter emissions standards thanks to water cooling, four-valve technology and variable intake timing. An increase in power and further model enhancements followed soon after. The first 986 Boxster generation received a 2.7-litre engine in 1999, initially with 162 kW / 220 PS* (horsepower) and later with 168 kW / 228 PS* (horsepower). The newly launched Boxster S was powered by a 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine with 158 kW / 252 PS* (horsepower), which soon became 191 kW / 260 PS* (horsepower).

* PS (PferdeStärke, German for horsepower) is the standard unit used in the European Union to measure the power output of a motor in ‘metric horsepower’.

A QUARTER CENTURY OF PURE

The 987 generation followed in 2004 with a refined design, 17-inch wheels and a redesigned interior as well as optional PASM with variable shock absorber characteristics, PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake) ceramic brakes and the Sport Chrono package. With unchanged displacement, the engines delivered 176 kW / 240 PS* (horsepower) and 206 kW / 280 PS* (horsepower) respectively. By the end of their production period, engine outputs had reached 188 kW / 255 PS* (horsepower) from a displacement of 2.9 litres and 228 kW / 310 PS* (horsepower) from a displacement of 3.4 litres. The PDK gearbox also replaced the previously offered Tiptronic S automatic transmission. In 2012, Porsche presented the comprehensively restyled and visually sharpened 981 generation Boxster.

Thanks to a completely new lightweight body and a fully revamped chassis, the newcomer was more toned, more muscular, more striking and faster than ever before. The all-electric fabric roof did without a convertible top compartment lid, the axle overhangs were even shorter, and the windscreen was moved further forward. The more economical boxer engines came with direct petrol injection and started out as a 2.7 litre six-cylinder engine with 195 kW / 265 PS* (horsepower) and a 3.4-litre engine with 232 kW / 315 PS* (horsepower). In April 2014, the Boxster GTS followed with 243 kW / 330 PS* (horsepower). The Boxster Spyder was undoubtedly the highlight, with a 3.8-litre engine that caused a real sensation with 276 kW / 375 PS* (horsepower).

The current 982 generation Porsche 718 Boxster set a new course in January 2016, making its debut with four-cylinder turbo engines and an enhanced design. The 2.0-litre motor delivers 220 kW / 300 PS* (horsepower) and the 2.5-litre boxer engine 257 kW / 350 PS* (horsepower) thanks to a variable turbine geometry turbocharger. The Boxster GTS followed shortly after with 269 kW / 365 PS* (horsepower). In mid-2019, the new edition Boxster Spyder climbed to the top of the range. It shares a 309 kW / 420 PS* (horsepower) 4.0-litre engine with the hard-top sporting flagship model, the 718 Cayman GT4. Since 2020, this six-cylinder mid-engine has also powered the 294 kW / 400 PS* (horsepower) 718 Boxster GTS 4.0.

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The Boxster has a very special meaning for Porsche as it marked a re-orientation of the sportscar manufacturer’s model strategy and provided a way forward during the difficult economic times of the mid-1990s.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

CAYENNE GTS

SUV DUO WITH SPORTY SET-UP AND EXCLUSIVE EQUIPMENT.

Now with a V8 engine again: the new Cayenne GTS models. FAST FACTS

FAST FACTS

CAYENNE GTS

CAYENNE GTS COUPÉ

$198,200^ 270km/h

0-100km/h: 4.8 secs 338 kW (460 PS*)

$202,000^ 270km/h

0-100km/h: 4.5 secs 338 kW (460 PS*)

With an output of 338 kW / 460 PS* (horsepower) and 620 Nm of torque, the four-litre biturbo engine offers significantly improved performance in all disciplines. Both GTS models sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds with the Sport Chrono package (Sport Chrono package optional on Cayenne GTS, standard on Cayenne GTS Coupé) and have a top speed of 270 km/h. Top speed has been increased by eight km/h. Fitted as standard is an exhaust system with its tailpipes located at the outer sides of the car’s rear, designed to produce a rich, sporty sound with a unique character. The high frequency-tuned sports exhaust system is a new development. It features two centrally positioned oval tailpipes that are offered exclusively on the Cayenne GTS Coupé and in future also on the Cayenne Turbo Coupé – optionally available in combination with the Lightweight Sports Package in each case. The standard three-chamber adaptive air suspension lowers the car by 10 millimetres and includes Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) for active and very sporty damper control.

Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) is also fitted as standard. In combination with its standard 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, the generously sized grey cast iron brakes (390 x 38 mm at the front, 358 x 28 mm at the rear), fitted with red brake calipers, the new Cayenne GTS models bring the agility and spontaneity of a true sportscar to the SUV segment. The standard SportDesign package ensures a unique and exclusive appearance in combination with numerous accents in black. The new Cayenne GTS models are equipped as standard with satin-gloss black 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels. The LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and the LED tail light bar are also dark-tinted. The front air intakes, side window trims, tailpipes of the sports exhaust system and the model and Porsche logos on the rear are all in black. High-quality materials such as Alcantara® on the roof lining, seat centre panels, centre console armrests and doors, as well as dark-brushed aluminium, make it possible to also see and feel the sporty yet elegant characteristics of the Cayenne GTS models in their interiors. Standard eight-way sports seats, exclusively reserved for the new GTS models, offer optimal support for dynamic cornering due to the increased height of their side bolsters. These are exclusively reserved for the new GTS models.

GTS logos can be found on the front doors, door entry sills, rev counter and head restraints. Numerous personalisation options include the GTS interior package, with additional colour accents in Carmine Red or Crayon, for items such as decorative stitching.

Australian pricing and specifications In Australia, the new Porsche Cayenne GTS and Cayenne GTS Coupé will be equipped with a 20-inch collapsible spare wheel, adaptive air suspension, metallic paint, privacy glass, automatically dimming mirrors, driver memory package, side airbags in the rear compartment, front seat heating, comfort access, Lane Change Assist, ParkAssist (front and rear) including reversing camera and Surround View, Head-Up Display, digital radio and BOSE® Surround Sound System, Adaptive cruise control including Emergency Assist (both models) and Apple CarPlay® as standard. Furthermore, the Cayenne GTS will feature Power steering Plus and will be fitted with a panoramic roof system, while the Cayenne GTS Coupé already has a fixed panoramic glass roof and Power steering Plus as the global standard.

Available now Prices start at $198,200^ for the Cayenne GTS and $202,000^ for the Cayenne GTS Coupé.

TO FIND OUT MORE on the new Cayenne GTS models contact the Porsche Centre Melbourne Sales Department on (03) 9473 0917.

TORQUE

Typically for the GTS models, the powertrain plays a particularly important part: instead of the 3.6-litre V6 biturbo engine from its predecessor, a V8 heart now beats once more under the bonnet of the Cayenne GTS.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

911 TURBO

THE BENCHMARK FOR THE PAST 46 YEARS.

Coupé and Cabriolet with new options and significantly increased power. Following the market launch of the 911 Turbo S, the next generation 911 Turbo Coupé and Cabriolet are now being introduced – even more powerful, even faster and even more individual. Thanks to their 427 kW / 580 PS* (horsepower) engines, 30 kW / 40 PS* (horsepower) more than their predecessors, both model variants dip under the magic three second 0 -100 km/h mark with a time of 2.8 seconds (0.2 seconds faster). 750 Newton metres of torque (up 40 Nm), now without an overboost time limit, make acceleration even more spontaneous and effortless. Acceleration, power output and torque of the new 911 Turbo therefore all match those of the previous generation 911 Turbo S. Power transmission is performed by an eight-speed PDK gearbox with a Turbo-specific set-up while its top speed remains unchanged at 320 km/h. Options such as the sports chassis and sports exhaust system are available for the 911 Turbo for the first time. As a result, customers will be able to adapt their vehicle even more to their individual tastes.

View 911 Turbo lap record at The Bend Motorsport Park

Each generation has continued to live up to the claim of being a global benchmark for high-performance sportscars. The active all-wheel control PTM is now able to transfer even more power to the front wheels while traction at the actively steered rear axle is increased. The revamped braking system is even more powerful and can be recognised by its red fixed calipers that are fitted as standard. Two different chassis variants are also new: while the standard PASM chassis offers a greater spread between sportiness and comfort, the significantly firmer, electrically controlled 10 mm-lower sports suspension benefits the agility of the new 911 Turbo. Its set-up is aimed at enhancing the car’s dynamics and provides even more stability in high-speed driving, such as when the vehicle is used on race circuits. The optional PDCC hydraulic active anti-roll stabilisation and PCCB ceramic brake system with ten-piston fixed calipers at the front refine the new model’s driving dynamics yet further.

The design of the 911 Turbo has become even more muscular.

LED headlights with PDLS Plus illuminate the road as standard. Other distinguishing features of the new 911 Turbo are its enhanced adaptive aerodynamics which feature electronically controlled cooling air flaps at the front, its larger active front spoiler and significantly larger variable rear spoiler. The air intakes on the rear side panels, so characteristic of the 911 Turbo, now draw in process air rather than the cooling air they did before, while the charge air coolers are now positioned directly in the air flow under the rear lid. The continuous light bar with its LED tail lights, as well as the new louvred rear lid grille with silver trim strips, round off the design of the rear of the car.

The 911 Turbo combines sportiness with everyday usability, emotive dynamism with reliability and exhilarating performance with efficiency. The appearance and performance of the vehicle can be additionally sharpened by the optional Lightweight Design and Sports packages, which will become available in Australia from early 2022. The Lightweight Design package for the Coupé reduces the vehicle’s weight by 30 kilograms.

FAST FACTS

911 TURBO

911 TURBO CABRIOLET

$404,900^ 320km/h

0-100km/h: 2.8 secs 427 kW (580 PS*)

$425,700^ 320km/h

Among other things, this is made possible by use of lightweight full-bucket seats, the omission of the rear seats and the fitting of less insulation, which also means that drivers can enjoy the sound of the engine even more directly. The Sports package features the 911 Turbo Sport Design package as well as additional features in Black and in Carbon – not to mention Exclusive Design tail lights. The particularly high-quality and extensive standard equipment list includes fully electrically controlled 14-way sports seats, the Sport Chrono package, a GT sports steering wheel with shift paddles, multifunction and mode switches as well as the powerful BOSE® Surround Sound System. In Australia, the 911 Turbo Coupé and 911 Turbo Cabriolet will be equipped with seat heating (front), Lane Change Assist, Comfort Access, ParkAssist (front and rear) including Surround View, electrically-folding exterior mirrors including courtesy lighting, Tyre sealing compound and electric air compressor, Power steering Plus, Steering wheel heating and digital radio. Numerous options are available for further personalisation, including adaptive cruise control, LED matrix headlights, Night Vision Assist and the Burmester® High-End Surround Sound System. The new models are now available to order priced from $404,900^ for the 911 Turbo Coupé and $425,700^ for the 911 Turbo Cabriolet.

TO FIND OUT MORE on the new 911 Turbo contact the Porsche Centre Melbourne Sales Department on (03) 9473 0917. 0-100km/h: 2.9 secs 427 kW (580 PS*)

TORQUE

The new sportscars are following in prestigious footsteps as the 911 Turbo has been synonymous with luxury and performance since 1975.

911 GT3 OFF THE LEASH

The seventh edition of this high-performance sportscar was developed in close collaboration with Porsche Motorsport.

Porsche also offers the new model with a sixspeed manual transmission for a particularly pure driving experience.

The double wishbone front axle layout and sophisticated aerodynamics with swan neck rear wing and striking diffuser originate from the successful 911 RSR race car. The 375 kW / 510 PS* (horsepower) four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine is based on the drivetrain of the 911 GT3 R, tried and tested in endurance racing. The acoustically impressive, high-revving engine is also used practically unchanged in the new 911 GT3 Cup.

The result is a brilliant driving machine: efficient and emotional, precise and high-performance – perfect for the circuit and superb for everyday use.

With a top speed of 318 km/h (or 320 km/h with optional manual transmission) it is even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds (3.9 seconds with optional manual transmission).

In the performance position, the manually set wing and diffuser elements significantly increase the aerodynamic pressure for high cornering speeds. This is, however, reserved strictly for outings on the circuit. During final testing, it lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife, over 17 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Development driver Lars

Kern took just 6:59.927 minutes for a full 20.8-kilometre lap. The shorter 20.6-kilometre track, which had previously served as a benchmark, was completed by the 911 GT3 in 6:55.2 minutes. Despite a wider body, larger wheels and additional technical features, the weight of the new GT3 is on a par with its predecessor. With manual gearbox it weighs 1,418 kilograms, with PDK 1,435 kilograms. The carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) front bonnet, lightweight glass windows, optimised brake discs and forged light-alloy wheels all ensure weight discipline, as does the cover for the rear seat compartment. The lightweight sports exhaust system reduces the weight by no less than ten kilograms. With infinitely electrically adjustable exhaust flaps, it harmonises a highly emotional sound experience.

FAST FACTS

911 GT3

$369,600^ 318km/h

Its racing genes are expressed in practically all the details of the new 911 GT3. The cockpit is in line with the current type 992 model generation. A new feature is the track screen: at the touch of a button, it reduces the digital displays to the left and right of the central rev counter, which reaches up to 10,000 revs, to information such as tyre pressure indicator, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel tank level and water temperature, which are essential when driving on the circuit.

It also includes a visual shift assistant with coloured bars to the left and right of the rev counter and a shift light derived from motorsport. The Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur range is also available for the new 911 GT3 and is supplemented by GT3-specific options such as a lightweight roof made of exposed carbon fibre. Other highlights include exterior mirror tops made of carbon, darkened LED matrix main headlights and matching Exclusive design rear lights with an arc of light with no red components. ‘Guards Red’ or ‘Shark Blue’ painted wheel rims enhance the black alloy wheels.

0-100km/h: 3.4 secs 375 kW (510 PS*)

In the interior, equipment details such as the dials for the rev counter and Sport Chrono stopwatch, seatbelts and trim strips set elegant accents in the body colour or other desired colour. In Australia, the new 911 GT3 will additionally be equipped with Metallic Paint, tinted LED headlights including PDLS, automatically dimming mirrors including rain sensor, ParkAssist (rear only), reversing camera, lifting system for front axle, tyre sealant and electric air compressor, and digital radio.

TO FIND OUT MORE on the new 911 GT3 contact the

Porsche Centre Melbourne Sales Department on (03) 9473 0917.

TORQUE

High-performance sportscar with sports suspension and highly efficient aerodynamics.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

911 GT3 A high-performance athlete that does not show off about its talent, and loves understatement. The seventh edition of the powerful GT car can now be ordered with the equipment package that proved extremely popular for its predecessor.

FAST FACTS

911 GT3 WITH TOURING PACKAGE

$369,600^ 320km/h

0-100km/h: 3.9 secs 375 kW (510 PS*)

The most conspicuous difference on the exterior is the omission of the fixed rear wing of the 911 GT3. The necessary downforce at high speeds and even more understatement are guaranteed by an automatically extending rear spoiler. Silver-coloured trim strips made of high-gloss anodised aluminium on the side windows are another distinguishing feature that underline the newcomer’s discreet appearance. The front end is painted completely in the exterior colour. The interior with extended leather items in Black is particularly elegant and is available exclusively for the GT3 with Touring Package. The front of the dashboard and the upper side sections of the door trim panels have special surface embossing. The name ‘Touring Package’ goes back to an equipment variant of the 911 Carrera RS from model year 1973. Already then, the focus was on purist 911 design and elements of a classic interior.

Porsche revived the idea again in 2017, and for the first time again offered a Touring Package for the previous generation of the 911 GT3, the Type 991.

Since then, this variant has appealed above all to lovers of top-class sportscars with a pronounced passion for understatement and classic driving pleasure. Performance without the show: the exterior and interior details A rear lid grille with the logo ‘GT3 touring’ in unique design is located over the high-revving engine. The trim strips of the side windows and the tailpipes of the sports exhaust system are silver-coloured. These elements are finished in satin-gloss Black in the optional Touring Package exterior in Black. The front light modules are darktinted in this case. The 911 GT3 with Touring Package also offers the atmosphere of a classic sportscar in the interior. The steering wheel rim, gear/selector lever, cover of the centre console, armrests in the door panels and the door handles are

covered in black leather. The partial leather interior features black stitching. The seat centre panels are covered with black fabric, and the roof liner is also black. The head restraints bear embossed Porsche crests. The door entry guards and trim elements on the dashboard and centre console are made of brushed black aluminium. Porsche also offers almost all the optional equipment for the 911 GT3 in combination with the Touring Package. This includes exterior and wheel colours, all seat variants, the Chrono package and the audio systems.

FEATURES STANDARD ON THE 911 GT3 WITH TOURING PACKAGE IN AUSTRALIA » » » » » » »

LED headlights including PDLS Automatically dimming mirrors incl. rain sensor Metallic paint Lifting system for front axle ParkAssist (rear only) Rear-view camera Tyre sealing compound with electric air compressor

» Digital radio

TO FIND OUT MORE on the new 911 GT3 with Touring package contact the Porsche Centre Melbourne Sales Department on

(03) 9473 0917.

TORQUE

This purist and powerful 375 kW / 510 PS* (horsepower) 911 GT3 with a weight of just 1,418 kilograms is delivered with a six-speed manual GT sports gearbox as standard. For the first time, the Touring Package can also be combined with the seven-speed PDK dualclutch transmission at no extra cost.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

911GT3

70 YEARS PORSCHE AUSTRALIA EDITION.

FAST FACTS

911 GT3 70 YEARS PORSCHE AUSTRALIA EDITION

320km/h

0-100km/h: 3.9 secs 375 kW (510 PS*)

The anniversary edition highlights Australian history in a very special way - with a nod to the very first car shipped to Australia in 1951.

PURE DRIVING PLEASURE

For those unable to resist pure driving pleasure and looking for something truly special. The 911 GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition is a sportscar perfectly aligned with the purist approach of less is more. Based on an iconic, modern Porsche sportscar with its own unique 911 GT3 characteristics, the anniversary edition highlights Australian history in a very special way - with a nod to the very first Porsche shipped to Australia in 1951. The striking new Fish Silver Grey Metallic exterior paint finish will be exclusively offered as the standard and only exterior colour for this limited edition. A modern paintwork reinterpretation of the first 356 Cabriolet that arrived in Melbourne in1951.

Exterior

This limited edition sportscar brings together Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the Style Porsche design team and Porsche Cars Australia, to elevate the sportscar experience

to an even higher, more exclusive and defining moment for Porsche enthusiasts in Australia. Eye capturing detail includes Colour to Sample: Fish Silver Grey Metallic, 20 and 21-inch 911 GT3 wheel in Dark Silver with the rim borders painted in Fish Silver Grey Metallic and PORSCHE lettering at the rear in Light Silver. A unique indoor car cover in Graphite Blue with piping in Crayon also features, with ‘GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition’ lettering on the sides and the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur logo at the front in Crayon. The anniversary model is a striking example that true beauty knows no age.

Interior

Once again, the interior was designed with the initial 356 in mind. However, the 911 GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition looks to merge the historical interior with that of a newer theme. The interior is a two-tone design featuring Graphite Blue and Black with stitching in Crayon and seat inlays (full-bucket seats) in Madraskaro fabric creating a similar visual image to the classic look. 70 years of celebrated Australian history is commemorated with the centre console armrest lid (leather Black, stitching Crayon) featuring embossing of the anniversary logo and centre console trim painted in the exterior colour.

Another very special detail - the key is painted in the exterior colour with key pouch featuring Leather Black / Graphite Blue with stitching in Crayon.

Steering wheel and dashboard

You’ll notice that the colour Crayon is a reoccurring motif within the interior of the 911 GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition. Although subtle, they commemorate and celebrate the 70 years since Porsche cars arrived on Australia shores. For example, the Crayon 12 o’clock marking is paying homage to the traditional 356 steering wheel. Similarly, the gear shift pattern is also Crayon to create a similar affect. A small and yet visually very distinctive feature: the Dashboard trim is in the exterior colour with logo ‘GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition’ in Black.

Design highlights

The badge on the B-pillar on each side carries the Australian flag and logo ‘70 Years Porsche Australia Edition’ in Silver. Door sill guards are brushed Aluminium in Black with ‘GT3’ logo illuminated in White and ‘70 Years Porsche Australia Edition’, lasered. Two very special details limited to this edition. Due to high demand and an extremely limited production run, all units have been allocated.

TORQUE

The anniversary edition is born of purity. It is equally at home crossing Sydney Harbour Bridge en route to the world famous Opera House, as it is tackling the demanding corners of the Great Ocean Road or even Mount Panorama in Bathurst.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

THE ALL-ROUNDER AMONG ELECTRIC SPORTSCARS.

Porsche drives forward electric offensive with new variant of the Taycan. ^Prices are recommended retail prices before statutory on-road and dealer delivery charges, which vary from State to State and between dealers. Driveaway pricing available via the Porsche Car Configurator at Porsche.com.au. All prices shown are based on a standard specification vehicle with no optional equipment (unless otherwise selected). Final prices may vary from dealer to dealer and according to individual circumstances. Prices are subject to change without notice. Please contact an Official Porsche Centre to obtain specific information about prices, vehicles and features. * PS (PferdeStärke, German for horsepower) is the standard unit used in the European Union to measure the power output of a motor in ‘metric horsepower’.

37 37

Forty seven millimetres more headroom for rear-seat passengers and more than 1,200 litres of load capacity, loaded through the large tailgate at the rear, make the Cross Turismo a true all-rounder.

The Performance Battery Plus, which has a total capacity of 93.4 kWh, is fitted as standard. The high-tech chassis with all-wheel drive and adaptive air suspension comes as standard on both models. The optional Off-Road Design Package increases ground clearance by up to 30 mm. This means that the Cross Turismo can also be driven on demanding off-road terrain. The standard ‘Gravel Mode’ improves the suitability of the new model for driving on rough terrain. Off-road design elements include wheel arch trims, unique front and rear lower aprons and side sills. As part of the Off-Road Design Package, the Cross Turismo has special flaps at the corners of the front and rear bumpers and at the ends of the sills. These make for a striking exterior as well as providing protection from stone impacts.

Porsche carefully considered luggage space in the Taycan Cross Turismo; specifically its use, the items carried, and access. Up to 1,200 litres of luggage space is available in the rear area when the rear seats are folded down, making it the ideal leisure companion for golf or skiing. And the large rear tailgate makes it easy to load.

TO FIND OUT MORE

on the new Taycan Cross Turismo models contact the Porsche Centre Melbourne Sales Department on

(03) 9473 0917.

FAST FACTS

TAYCAN 4 CROSS TURISMO

TAYCAN 4S CROSS TURISMO

TAYCAN TURBO CROSS TURISMO

$176,600^ 220km/h

0-100km/h: 5.1 secs 350 kW (476 PS*)

$205,300^ 240km/h

0-100km/h: 4.1 secs 420 kW (571 PS*)

$279,000^ 250km/h

0-100km/h: 3.3 secs 500 kW (680 PS*)

TORQUE TORQUE

Like the Taycan sports sedan, the Taycan Cross Turismo benefits from an innovative electric drive with 800-volt architecture. The new high-tech chassis with all-wheel drive and adaptive air suspension also ensures uncompromising dynamics off-road.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

24 SEP 1944 – 15 JUN 2021

In the middle of June this year, the Porsche Centre Melbourne community – and much of the Porsche enthusiast community at large that knew him, was saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Barker.

Michael started his time with Porsche, at Hamilton’s in 1979, after having spent time with W.H Lowe’s, then the sales agents for Ferrari and Lancia. Michael’s career with Porsche cars spanned the decades that saw changes to not only the cars, but the structure of the company. Michael’s time spanned five generations of the 911, and four locations of the business, including the Victoria Parade site where Hamilton’s became Porsche Centre Melbourne. His time included a spell as the Sales Manager for Rolls Royce and Bentley when Hamilton’s were the sales agent for those cars at 580 Church Street. Michael’s life at work was however, defined by far more than his length of service.

He was a quiet man who spoke less than he listened and developed wonderful relationships with his colleagues and his clients alike.

Michael had a lightening sense of humour and most of all, he had an intimate understanding of cars. Not just those he sold, but all cars. Michael’s life, even before his time selling them, had revolved around them; racing open-wheelers in his teens and twenties, he also spent many years aboard fast motorcycles, developing further his understanding for what made cars and bikes go, stop and handle. From 2012 through to his retirement in 2017, Michael took on the role of handover coordinator which allowed him to meet virtually every client who collected their new car, spending time to carefully run through and explain the workings of the increasing number of systems in new Porsches. Michael may well have met more people through this role than his previous one, leaving his mark on so many at the most exciting part of the process for them.

Michael helped to induct new staff, and for many it proved a memorable demonstration of the test-drive route - exposing that although ageing, Michael was neither shy nor incapable whilst at the wheel of a Porsche! Michael was an exemplary man, linked to Porsche in the memories of many who have been around the marque for decades – he stood as an ambassador for the cars and company, and left his mark on many by having a wonderful nature and a no-nonsense approach toward his work.

He will be missed, never forgotten and will remain a role model to all of us at Porsche Centre Melbourne.

TORQUE

MICHAEL BARKER

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

25 YEARS

Retail Parts Manager COMMENCED 1996

PAUL GIRT Paul commenced with Porsche Centre Melbourne as a Parts Apprentice in 1996, before shortly becoming Parts Manager at the age of 22. Originally a graphic design student at Swinburne, Paul’s passion for Motorsport shone through his work, leading to a decision to follow his father’s footsteps into Automotive. As a Parts Manager at Nissan, his Dad had strong connections within the industry and was friends with the General Manager of Hamilton’s. This lead to a phone call whilst his parents were on an overseas holiday, offering him a position as a Parts Apprentice. He interviewed the following day and started the next, without his parents’ knowledge. When he broke the news upon their return he was presented with a duty free camera which they had purchased for his graphic design – which quickly became re-purposed for car photography (some of which featured on our PCM socials earlier this year).

Since 2014, Paul has also managed the Motorsport parts program for the Porsche Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge series. He gets great satisfaction assisting the next generation of young racing drivers and working with successful businessmen and women in the pro-amateur category. Paul is humble with his knowledge but has somewhat of an encyclopedic knowledge of the motorsport and retail parts business. He takes great pride in maintaining special relationships with clients and businesses that he assists, many who he has worked with since commencing back in 1996. Away from work Paul is an avid skier, loves camping and off-roading, and drives a 1969 911T in historic racing events. Paul took his family on a 4,330km adventure across the Simpson Desert. An experienced camper, his signature bush dish is a spit roast, and he couldn’t go without damper for breakfast – which his kids adore!

MICK DALY

He notes that one of the biggest changes in his 25 years with Porsche was the move to Victoria Parade and into a purpose built, start-of-art dealership that continues to evolve. In his time with the brand he has witnessed the introduction of SUV’s beginning with the Cayenne in 2003 and most recently the Taycan in early 2021.

‘’The opportunity to drift and experience Winter Driving is a Porsche trip that needs to be on everyone’s must do list when we are able to travel again!’’ It’s the colleagues, clients and Porsche model range that have kept Mick with the brand. If he could choose any Porsche from the range, classic or recent, it would be a 718 Cayman GT4 in Black or Gentian Blue. Editor’s note: Perhaps Gentian Blue as it complements his AFL team - the mighty Dees!

TORQUE

After a brief stint with another automotive brand in 2001, Mick returned to Porsche in the role of Dealership Account – a position that grew into a group position when PCA acquired Porsche Centre Sydney South in 2007.

He recalls fondly the ‘’epic 50th anniversary celebration’’ and a memorable Camp 4S trip to Finland as highlights of his time with the company.

25 YEARS

Mick Daly started his Porsche Career with Porsche Cars Australia in 1994, joining with experience from running his own business in the sports industry.

Group Retail Accountant COMMENCED 1994

42 Danny commenced his career with a Porsche dealership in New Zealand, shortly after the introduction of the type 993 911. He soon forged a link to Porsche Centre Melbourne after attending product training with Austin King in Adelaide. PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

He recalls telling Austin of his intent to relocate to Melbourne, resulting in Austin immediately phoning Piero, ‘’I know a Porsche guy from NZ who’d like to move’’, and as they say the rest is history. Prior to moving across the ditch Danny kept in touch with the PCM team at his annual AGP trips where he would host clients from NZ. He also had the opportunity to attend the international 997 911 Turbo launch in Spain alongside his future Australian colleagues – an event he recalls vividly. Classic Technician COMMENCED 2006

PAUL WEEDA

15 YEARS

Originally from Tasmania, an opportunity at a Melbourne Ford dealership brought Paul across the strait in 2004, before he joined Porsche Centre Melbourne in 2006 as a technician. Predominantly working on pre-diagnosis and retail work, Paul jumped at the chance to work with classics when PCM received Porsche Classic Partner certification in 2017. ‘’Modern cars are so electronically governed; I enjoy the challenge of thinking outside the box when it comes to classic work. There isn’t the electronic cues to tell you if there’s a problem and I’m fortunate to have some of the best mentors in the country with Jeff, Brian, George, Gordon and Pete who have been at PCM for many years’’. Over his 15 years at the dealership, Paul has enjoyed being able to put his own personality into the projects he has worked on with their respective owners. ‘’Working on classics is a consultative process and being able to work with clients on their vision – whether it be a car to store away for fine weather, a daily driver or a concourse entrant – we are able to work together and share the journey of minor or major restorative work’’. Away from work Paul is a keen musician and collects guitar effects pedals. His collection takes pride of place at home and he enjoys playing most Sundays. His music idol? David Gilmour.

After 10 years with PCM, it is the clients that continue to keep Danny motivated in his role. ‘’I’ve always enjoyed the brand and from a young child I can remember aspiring to own a Porsche; it is this passion that remains with me today’’. Asked if he could own any Porsche, it would be a 993 911 Carrera S – in Manual. Danny is a keen football fan and is involved in his son Nicholas’ local club. He supports Wellington Phoenix and likes watching rugby - it won’t come as a surprise that he supports the All Blacks.

DANNY HASSAKIS

10 YEARS

Senior Sales Executive COMMENCED 2011

TORQUE

Technician & Classic Specialist COMMENCED 1981

JEFF HOFFERT

One such colleague is Gordon Heane, Workshop Foreman & Road Tester, who was a ‘fully fledged’ technician when Jeff joined the workshop team in 1981. ‘‘I’ve learnt everything from Gordon, he was the ideal mentor for me, and we continue to work and collaborate together on classic projects”.

Recalling fondly of his early years, Jeff remembers winning the ‘Mechanic of the Month’ in 1986, ‘’I had the privilege of driving a 911 for the weekend’’. Jeff’s favourite car to drive and work on is a G Series 911, closely followed by the type 993, ‘’it’s such a refined car’’. On weekends Jeff can be found driving his Valiant Charger or Dodge Coronet, often with other PCM technicians, sometimes driving as far as 200km for a coffee! He has also collected motorcycles since the 1970’s, however struggles to find the time to enjoy them as much as he’d like to. If Jeff wasn’t a mechanic he envisaged being an interstate truck driver. He always loved trucks and had hundreds of photos of them in the 70’s, ‘’Thankfully Mum and Dad talked me out of that!’’

40 YEARS

Porsche Classic Technician Jeff recalls commencing at Porsche Centre Melbourne 40 years ago like it was yesterday. Over the years he has spent more time with his colleagues than his own family, it is these friendships and Porsche passion that keeps him as enthused about his role today as he did when he started.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF STORIED HISTORY. It was early spring in 1951 when Melbourne entrepreneur Norman Hamilton imported the first two Porsches into Australia. A Maroon 356 Coupé and a Fish Silver Blue 356 Cabriolet, which marked a special day in the history of Porsche. In those early days, under the prevailing import quota system, fewer than two Porsches were allowed to be sold a year until 1954. Since then Australia’s passion for Porsches has grown, along with the thousands of Porsche vehicles finding new Australian homes each year. Almost 4,000 Porsches of all models are expected to be delivered in Australia in 2021, thanks in part to an unbroken presence for the past 70 years that is amongst the longest and most enduring in the entire Australian automobile industry. Coming just three years after the worldwide events that in 2018 marked the 70th Anniversary of the Porsche sportscar, the 70th Anniversary of Porsche in Australia is being celebrated in 2021 with equal enthusiasm.

Continued on next page

TORQUE

Few in the Australian motor industry have a longer and more fascinating local history than Porsche, which celebrates 70 years in this country in 2021.

KEY MILESTONES

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

1951 TO PRESENT 1951

The first two Porsches arrived in Australia in the spring. A Maroon 356 Coupé and a Fish Silver Blue 356 Cabriolet.

1956

1961

1986

1990

A year after arriving in Australia, the sleek Spyder won the Ardmore Handicap sportscar support race to the New Zealand Grand Prix, with Great British racing driver Stirling Moss passing 26 cars off the back mark to claim the chequered flag.

German adventurer Gerhard Platner drove 10,000km around Australia in a 944 Turbo on his way to a Guinness World Record for circumnavigating the world and crossing five continents in less than 30 days.

The Porsche Club of Australia and New Zealand was officially formed with Norman Hamilton’s support.

1952

The first competition appearance of a Porsche in Australia was at the dusty Hurstbridge Hill Climb in outer northeast Melbourne, when experienced Hill Climb competitor Ken Wylie completed two smooth runs in the Maroon Coupé, both within striking distance of class honors.

1970

For the first time, Porsches were now imported for stock and not just customer order.

The early 1990’s were bleak times for the Australian motor industry as the recession hit home. However, in 1992 Porsche Cars Australia became a fully owned subsidiary of Porsche AG.

1997

1974

The launch of the restyled 911 model range brought an immediate increase in popularity, with sales surging past 100 vehicles a year.

The new Type 986 Boxster joined the Australian Porsche range in early 1997, with 356 enthusiast Phillip Schudmak taking delivery of his silver car at 12.01 am on January 25 at Hamiltons in Melbourne to become the first Australian Boxster owner.

TORQUE

1953

In August, Norman Hamilton entered the first Coupé in an event which captured the imagination of a nation – The first ‘round Australia’’ Redex Trial.

1954

Hamilton entered a formal agreement with Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG to become the Australian and New Zealand concessionaire and the Porsche ‘drought’ broke. Five of the new 356 models arrived and were immediately bought by the emerging national network of Porsche Dealers.

1980

Porsche’s domination of sportscar racing in the 1970’s was replicated by its domination of the of the new GT category in the early 1980’s. Alan Jones had pole position alongside Colin Bond in the 1980 Australian GT Championship and Porsche finished one-two on their debut at Winton in Central Victoria.

1998

The 50th Anniversary of the Porsche Marque was celebrated around the world, but nowhere more enthusiastically than Australia. Celebrations included a three day Porsche rally through central Victoria, special cars parade, cocktail parties and drive events.

2000

The 953 went on to win every single race that year.

The opportunity to tour some of Australia’s most scenic and enjoyable roads, with regular pit stops for fine food and wine, was a proposition that attracted 170 Porsche owners to Tasmania in the first week of November 2000, for the Porsche Targa Tour.

1954

The first Porsche office in Melbourne was in Southern Cross Chambers at 315 Collins Street, sharing the eighth floor with the Brotherhood of St. Laurence charity organisation. With no room for a showroom, the cars were usually parked on the side of the road.

1984

The world Sportscar Championship held in Melbourne will be remembered for what happened both on and off Sandown Park Circuit. The team recorded a one-two-three result and claimed the World sportscar title.

2000

Any car that followed the 911 RS CS customerracing-Porsche had to be very good and the many Porsche enthusiasts who queued for the right to own a 911 GT3 weren’t disappointed. Jim Richards took a ‘hat-trick’ in 2000, winning the Grand Prix Rally, Targa Tasmania and the inaugural Nations Cup production supercar series, a feat he repeated in 2001.

2003

The all-new Porsche Carrera Cup Australia made its debut in 2003, taking the place of the lapsed Australian Porsche Cup, with management now in the hands of Porsche Cars Australia and entries now limited to Porsche Motorsport-built 911 GT3 Cup cars.

2003

To prepare for the arrival of the new frontengined Porsche Cayenne SUV in 2003, Porsche Cars Australia staged two bold off-road events in 1999 and 2000, initially driving a standard four-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 4 across the remote Simpson Desert with its 1,000 parallel sand dunes.

2009

2013

2014

2021

The all-new Panamera four-door grand tourer was welcomed in a very ‘Australian’ way, with two new V8-powered models completing a 33-day, 19,767km lap of the Continent – ‘Right Round Down Under’. A Panamera S and Panamera Turbo were air freighted especially for the event, arriving just in time for the scheduled start from the Porsche Centre in Melbourne on September 1.

Following the arrival of the Cayenne in 2003, its smaller brother, the Macan in 2014 again changed the landscape of Australian Porsche ownership, becoming the most popular model out of the all-time record 4141 local sales in 2019 – a far cry from the ‘2.5 Porsches’ allowed by prevailing import regulations in 1954.

2006

Jim Richards and co-driver Barry Oliver cemented their reputation as ‘Targa masters’ by winning the event for the eighth time for Porsche; this time in a two-wheel drive type 997 911 GT3.

Following the success of the annual Rennsport Porsche event in the United States, Porsche Cars Australia staged the inaugural Porsche Rennsport Australia Motor Racing Festival in 2013 at Sydney Motor Sport Park. Coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the Porsche 911, the format of the exclusive all-Porsche gathering headlined rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia.

‘The future is here’. Introduced as a concept in 2015, the first all-electric Porsche was known as the Mission E, and later introduced to the Australian market in February 2021 as the new Taycan – pure emotion and maximum driving pleasure.

Motorsport Heritage

In late 1952, both Porsches were driven to South Australia for a promotional tour, where prominent South Australian pastoralist Ron Angas purchased the Cabriolet. This car is still on the road in Australia today. Two Australian Hill Climb titles, a total of eight sportscar and GT championships with 911 derivatives throughout the 1960s,’70s and ‘80s, plus a record number of Targa-style tarmac rally victories, cemented Porsche’s racing credentials. Today, the Porsche Australian Carrera Cup since 2003 has established the one-make event as the major support category of both the Australian V8 Supercars category and the Australian F1 Grand Prix. It has also produced world class drivers that have gone on to race for Porsche internationally. A testament to the international Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.

Rise of the Dealerships

Back in the early days, the Porsche ‘showroom’ was the kerb in Collins Street, Melbourne, below an office in the Salvation Army building on the eighth floor.

The following year in 1954, Norman Hamilton entered a formal agreement with Porsche AG to become the Australian and New Zealand distributor and the founding organisation of what would become Porsche Centre Melbourne – Australia’s first Porsche dealership and first right hand drive dealership outside of Germany. As the import ‘drought’ broke, more cars arrived and dealerships were established in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

Australian Innovation

Australia has also played an important part in the pre-production testing of several new Porsche models, including the front-engine Cayenne and Panamera. With the impending arrival of the new Cayenne SUV, Porsche reminded Australians of its long-standing four wheel drive credentials, that began with victory by a Type 953 911 Coupé in 1984. This involved driving a Carrera 4 Coupé across the Simpson Desert in 1999, while the next year a new all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo Coupé was driven to the tip of the Cape York Peninsula – the first time a sportscar had ever made these iconic off-road adventures.

Porsche also reprised its early Australian Porsche history in 2009, by sending two of the new four door Panamera Grand Tourer models 19,767 kilometres ‘Right Round, Down Under’, reminiscent of the first 356 Coupé’s pioneering 10,400km REDeX Trial adventure in 1953.

Due to the Australian market’s longstanding relationship with the factory and its flair for marketing innovation, many unique Porsches have found their way to the Antipodes over the years. These included not only the first two right hand drive 356 models, but the next Type 550 Spyder built after the fated car owned by the late Hollywood actor, James Dean; the three 911s built to contest the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon; the show prototype of the first production 911 Turbo; the first front-engined 924 to compete in a major rally; the world’s only right hand drive 944 Turbo Cup and the world’s only right hand drive type 964 911 RSR 3.8.

View the 70 Years of Porsche in Australia video

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Porsche’s motorsport debut in Australia came on Australia Day in January 1952 at the unsealed Hurstbridge Hill Climb in outer northeast Melbourne, when experienced Hill Climb competitor Ken Wylie completed two smooth runs in the Maroon Coupé.

In August 1953, Norman Hamilton entered the Maroon Coupé in the epic REDeX Reliability Trial, completing the carbreaking 10,400km course and causing Australians to take notice of the small German sportscars.

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

A SPECIAL MILESTONE YEAR CELEBRATING 791 YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE. Porsche Centre Melbourne, formerly Hamilton’s, was established following the first two 356 models being imported in late 1951 by the organisations father, Norman Hamilton. Since then, Porsche has had several homes and name changes however the passion, and many members of the sales, service and parts team have remained. This year we celebrate 70 years of Porsche sportscars in Australia, and along with it the people behind the cars. As the demand for Porsche sportscars has grown so has the dealership, which now employs over 80 staff members featured on the front cover of this special ‘Anniversary’ edition of Torque Magazine. The Porsche passion, dedication and loyalty to the brand that is shared amongst our team is proven by a combined 791 years of PCM experience. In fact, we are proud to have 24 members with over 10 years of experience, 12 with over 20 and six over 30! An important ingredient of PCM’s success is the long-term relationship we create with our clients. Just like our staff, PCM is still ‘home’ to many owners whose association with the dealership dates back as far as the late 1950’s and early 60’s.

On behalf of PCM we thank our clients for their ongoing support of the dealership.

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TO T H E PA

It represents the fact that Porsche is a company run on the ideas of car people. The concept that the Porsche 911 is the single most evolved piece of automotive design is not a new one. A constant stream of small changes; some year by year, others generation by generation, have seen to define the car to its enthusiasts, and amongst its contemporaries. And it must be noted, that its contemporaries have changed over the many decades that the car has existed. When the 911 emerged in the early sixties, most of the alternatives were laid out far more conventionally – usually with the engine in the front, and typically that engine would’ve been arranged very differently; cooled by liquid and with its cylinders arranged either vertically in line, or indeed in a ‘v’.

Watch the video.

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One might say they have made it the sportscar for all reasons – and truly, all seasons. By the time the late seventies had arrived, the 911 had stopped selling in the volume that it had, or a level that any car manufacturer would consider sustainable. As we know Porsche had its days numbered, the front-engined trans-axle models intended to become the stock and trade, the 928 intended to replace the 911 as the flagship. Whilst this was seen to be the destiny of the company and certainly the guiding business plan for the eighties under the guide of stalwart director Ernst Fuhrmann, the family couldn’t bear to see the 911 die. Ferry in particular is known to have been vehemently against Fuhrmann’s sentiments and sought strongly to innovate and seek new directions for the 911 to move into - new shoes for it to fill. Ferry Porsche found his ally in Peter Schutz, the man that he appointed as company CEO in the first hours of 1981. Schutz was like Ferry, an avid enthusiast and believer in the 911’s concept and that, with new thinking and new concepts it could go on to conquer new hearts and minds in car enthusiasts moving forward.

Back under Fuhrmann’s watch, and reputedly unbeknown to him, there had been ideas percolating that would see the light of day in several new prototypes in the first few years of the eighties. The 911 Cabriolet was but one that would stretch the car’s appeal into new markets and did indeed make production to complement both Coupé and Targa variants. All three body styles are still available today, and are as much a part of the folklore of the 911 as anything that resides under the skin. Though, it was and is the ‘for all seasons’ part that was to be of greater importance to the 911 and its continued reputation as a technical tour de force in sporting circles. The years 1975 through 1979 had seen the horsepower output of both racing and production variants of the car skyrocket – particularly in racing. Given that the chassis and running gear had not really changed so dramatically since the early seventies, the process of thought had begun in the minds of several key people at Weissach to turn to all – wheel -drive and the notion of betterharnessing that power. One such mind was that of Helmuth Bott. Bott had been with Porsche since 1952. An engineer of great repute to say the least, he was also a phenomenally hands-on operator, never shying away from driving cars that harnessed his ideas, and famously running cars in several European events though the sixties and seventies. Bott’s fixation some say, was the idea of giving the 911 a capable allwheel-drive system that would harness the growing horsepower potential and make it a more usable, safer, yet faster car. He didn’t have an army of supporters. The idea was very new, but the fact that Audi had

been making such inroads was an inspiration and Bott, who was always at the edge of the envelope declared that should the idea be allowed to progress, he would hand over his own 911SC company car as the test mule! That car started life as a normal, series production SC Coupé in metallic brown, and perhaps only the way Bott drove it would’ve set it apart from any other! Though, its life changed quickly.

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Porsche has taken the 911 from a fledgling concept that carried the strengths of its predecessor, the 356, that competed with a host of other four-cylinder Coupés and Cabriolets and pushed the envelope in every conceivable direction to span a range of ‘abilities’.

Once the car was handed over to Weissach for the initial work, it was designated ‘C20’ and its life as a prototype began. It retained conventional McPherson strut front suspension, but it gained a drive shaft that ran from the gearbox, through a torque tube to a 924 differential in the front. Rudimentary as it might seem today, it was not the very first all-wheel drive prototype, but certainly the first to be pressed into ‘real’ testing, and by that I mean, Bott took the car back and ran it as his winter car during 1982 and 83, seeking to discover how it would react and translate in real-world motoring. As anyone who knows the company at any level would expect, to really test and develop the idea of a concept – Motorsport would be the stage upon which any idea would have to gain unanimous acceptance and, at the time the greatest and toughest test that Porsche could seek to conquer, was the Paris-Dakar Rally. A car-breaker for sure, the team set about making a tough and reliable car that would ultimately prove the worth of all wheel drive – and C20 was to be part of that plan. Stripped to a bare shell, the car was fully seam-welded for strength with all of its suspension pick up points, engine and gearbox mountings reinforced and a weight loss program engaged that saw the use of glass fibre and aluminium substituting various steel panels and components.

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WHAT HAPPENS TO AN OLD DEVELOPMENT MULE? Its conventional McPherson strut front suspension was then replaced by a doublewishbone arrangement with 911 Turbo trailing arms in the rear. Impressively, 27cm of ground clearance helped to achieve the car’s fast-terrain approach and if you’ve |ever wondered what inspired the latter-day ‘off-road 911’ look that seems to abound on Instagram, then wonder no more! C20 gained a 3.2 litre Carrera engine – barely changed from production specification, except to cope with the poor fuel quality that was normal in Africa. Wrapped in Rothmans Cigarettes livery, the car went off to Africa and ran (and completed) the event as a support car, whilst Rene Metge took out an outright win in one of the 953-designated cars that were fundamentally the product of the research and development that C20 very much helped to achieve.

AUTHOR: BEN MUSU

PCM Sportscar & Classic Specialist

The years that followed that first foray into the Dakar event for Porsche were all about the 959. Some say it was known as ‘Bott’s obsession’, and it was nothing if not a technical marvel, as I regard it; the connecting piece in the evolution between the 911s of old, and the 911 as it became and is known today. However, what happens to an old development mule? Well, in 1986 C20 was all of a sudden surplus to Weissach’s needs. Stripped of the Rothman’s livery, it found its way to Australia. In the hands of the singularly most important Australian personality to be involved with the brand, Mr Alan Hamilton. That surname hung over the door that imported and distributed Porsche Cars, and if you’re from Melbourne – it was illuminated at the dealership; not any dealership, but the very first dealer of right hand drive Porsche Cars anywhere in the world. Alan used the car on a few events, even scoring a prize for the biggest jump at the Little Desert Rally in a demonstration to himself that even after years of racing some

of Porsche’s most ferocious cars, rallying C20 was potentially too exciting for him. The car was sold to Lindsay Fox in 1990 and still resides here in Melbourne, in that collection. C20’s story is more significant than some might think, because it represents the fact that Porsche is a company run on the ideas of car people, like Bott and indeed ironically, like Hamilton. The fact that the car is here in Australia to stay does underscore not only the importance of this market to the brand, but indeed the oldest dealership.

Hamilton’s became Porsche Centre Melbourne in 1994 and the evolution of this great dealer is like the car that has defined the brand; enduring and sensitive to any need to adapt.

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Porsche has constructed just 77 examples of this wonderful, frivolous car.

N In Motorsport, legends are generally forged by statistic. Wins equal fame, and sometimes notoriety. This is no different for Porsche, and the company’s history is written in posterity by virtue of its success across the world and across classes.

The cars themselves though, they can be different. After Porsche’s first overall win at Le Mans in 1970, a whirlwind decade of domination began across many classes, including the exciting Group 4 and Group 5 Championships – notably, the World Championship. By the tail end of the seventies the 934 and 935 variants, based on the 911 that contested these categories, had become dominant. After the 1976 season, won by Porsche, the decision was made by the factory to cease competition themselves and allow their private clients to contest the classes – with one notable exception.

Watch the video.

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A HOMAGE TO THE ORIGINAL For 1978, the factory effort – headed up passionately by Norbert Singer, took advantage of new allowances in the rules and decided that the 935 would be the basis for a new attack on another outright success at the famous French 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. By this time, the 935 had evolved somewhat, most notably in having one of Singer’s most famous ideas incorporated universally in the race cars; the famous Flachbau, or ‘flatnose’ that did away with the 911’s standard front guards and headlamps and instead utilised flat guards with the headlamps relocated into the front apron. A massive advantage in reducing drag by diminishing the car’s frontal area, the flachbau became desirable to road car clients, most notably with Mansour Ojjeh, owner of TAG, who commissioned Porsche Sonderwunsch (Special Wishes) to produce a road registered 935 with a flat nose. It was the first, but it became part of the Special Wishes catalogue and took the function demanded by racing practice to the road. Back at Weissach, Norbert Singer was in overdrive preparing a variant of the 935 to tackle Le Mans. Enormous undertakings were made in aerodynamics – far bolder than any previous rework of a road car. The body was lowered 100mm, and both nose and tail were elongated to provide the car with stability at the 350km/h that it would be capable of achieving. The gearbox was turned upside down to ease the angle on the driveshafts, and the driver moved from the left to the right side of the car for purposes of rearward vision as well as weight distribution on the clockwise revolving Sarth Circuit at Le Mans.

Wheels that were larger in diameter as well as wider in section were fitted, and once complete, only the glass house and a portion of the doors really gave away that there were the bones of a 911 beneath. In the rear, the first big break with tradition in a 911 took place. Due to the adoption of four-valve cylinder heads and a pair of turbochargers, air-cooling of the those heads was no longer adequate thus, in the 935/78 as it would be known by designation, watercooled cylinder heads would be bolted down to an air-cooled case. With all modifications, this engine was now capable of nearly 845bhp in some states of tune. With a white base colour, day-glo red aerodynamic wheel covers, and the legendary Martini ‘ribbon’ livery, the 935/78 would be christened Moby Dick and like its formidable namesake in the Herman Melville novel of the same name, it would not pass un-noticed! Porsche were successful with that car at Le Mans in 1978 and today, it resides in the Porsche Museum at Zuffenhausen. Proudly, the car has travelled around the world to various classic events at places like Reims, Goodwood and indeed it has even come as far afield as Melbourne, where it featured at Philip Island Classics in 2012. It never ever fails to draw a crowd either – young and old, the people old enough to remember it and those too young are drawn to its exaggerated proportion. Accompanied always by a member of Porsche Classic, the starting procedure – with engine cover removed, is always a sight to behold. But it was just one car. 935/78 was a solitary example with a very short career – making its fame all the more fascinating. After Moby Dick, Porsche focussed its efforts on the prototype classes – the giant killing 956 and 962, and then the 90s and the cars, albeit still very successful, perhaps didn’t have the character of the 935/78.

Fast forward forty years. Racing car practice is a serious business – it always has been, but the notion of a 911-based car today winning Le Mans overall is simply absurd. For decades, the event and the championship around it have been dominated by far more extreme prototype class cars with no regulations that demand the use of production car chassis, brakes, road car proportions or even the resemblance of a production model. In the art and science of building racing cars, Porsche are experts – experts at interpreting a book of rules, constructing a car and taking on a challenge that more often than not leads to success. Form has always followed function and in complement, a racing car would have no reason to exist if there were no classes for it to run in. Or would it…? Call it folly, or a sense of humour – or a combination of both, but in 2018, the 40th anniversary of Moby Dick’s Le Mans victory, it was decided that the debut of a tribute would be born. And so it was, on the occasion of the Rennsport Reunion at Laguna Seca. Not to tackle a specific race, not even to attempt a world title but in fact as a simple exercise in producing something of a homage to the original, a gift even – to the world’s Porsche fanatics. A new 935, a car that would emulate all that was great about the cars that ran in the 70’s and dominated all their opposition. Like the original car, this 935 is based on a production 911 – but no ordinary 911, if there is such a thing. This 935 is based on the 991 generation GT2 RS, the most powerful series-production 911 to date. Inheriting its all-aluminium, fully water-cooled, four cam, 24 valve, twin-turbocharged 3.8 litre flat six endows it with the same, reliable 700 horsepower as the road car. Proven, no need to change it – and why would you?

Carbon-fibre reinforced plastic body work, completely optimised for reduction of drag and all the available downforce that could be found. A CFRP roof panel with the FIA roof hatch, rear and side windows made of gorilla glass, carbon fibre diffusers and megaphone exhausts – familiar looking items to anyone who was a fan of the famous 908/3. Nods to the past are abundant, but it is a thoroughly modern car, even concealing Taycan headlamp units inside the oversized openings in the front apron – just like the original car hid its headlamps behind plexiglass, and retained the flat nose dreamt up by Norbert Singer. Whilst many will find homes in collections, we certainly hope the majority of them will be used as intended.

It is difficult to imagine that there is a more desirable Club-sport, track day car anywhere on the planet. AUTHOR: BEN MUSU

PCM Sportscar & Classic Specialist

TORQUE

VarioCam Plus gives adjustable camshaft phasing and variable valve timing, making this car virtually as ‘driveable’ as a road car. Driving the rear wheels only via a solid-mounted 7-speed PDK transaxle through to the 310mm rear track, and to the road via 13” wide rear wheels. In other ways though, the designers and engineers would have freedom with this new 935 that they couldn’t have with a either a road car, or a ‘proper’ racing car. You see, it is to be a car that needs not comply with any hard and fast rules – no homologation would be sought. This really would be a car for, basically – very elaborate fun!

PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

PORSCHE UNSEEN

A glimpse of unreleased concept cars.

Under the title ‘Porsche Unseen’, Porsche is for the first time publishing design studies from 2005 to 2019 which have until now been kept under lock and key. The sportscar manufacturer is showing spectacular visions of 15 different cars. In this way, Porsche is offering an exclusive insight into its design process – from the very first drawing to the finished model ready for series production. The book entitled ‘Porsche Unseen’ is available offering readers the opportunity to be given a detailed look behind the scenes. A selection of studies will also be on display later for fans to admire live: the Porsche Museum will be integrating the models in the exhibition in 2021.

The design process starts with a sketch. This is visualised in the next step as a 3D model. As soon as an idea is to be developed further, small models are produced in a scale of 1:3, then followed by hard models in the scale 1:1. In contrast to the development of a production model where several models are always developed with different styling formats, the vision projects, on the other hand, concentrate on a single vision model which serves as a protagonist for the central idea.

NOW AVAILABLE

The book ‘Porsche Unseen’ is now available from the Porsche Centre Melbourne Parts Department and is priced at $179. The design studies are presented in detail over 328 pages with impressive photos from Stefan Bogner and informative text by Jan Karl Baedeker. Porsche Centre Melbourne Parts Department Phone: (03) 9473 0998 Email: pcm.parts@porschemelbourne.com.au

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919 STREET TORQUE TORQUE

The Porsche 919 Street (2017; 1:1 clay model) was developed on the basis of the technology used in the Porsche 919 Hybrid, promising to make the exhilarating driving experience of the LMP1 race car available to amateur drivers. Under the outer shell are the carbon monocoque and powerful 900 PS hybrid racing drivetrain that helped the Porsche 919 to achieve numerous victories at Le Mans. The dimensions and wheelbase were also the same as on the race car.

VISION SPYDER With its spartan, puristic cockpit, the characteristic radiator grilles over the mid engine, red graphic elements and the suggested fins at the rear, the compact Porsche Vision Spyder (2019; 1:1 hard model) clearly calls to mind the Porsche 550-1500 RS Spyder from 1954. At the same time, the study was intended to further develop the design identity of Porsche and provide a pool of ideas for future details – for example, the ultra-modern roll bar.

VISION RENNDIENST The Porsche vision ‘Renndienst’ (2018; 1:1 hard model) is the free interpretation of a family-friendly space concept for up to six persons. The design team designed a futuristic ‘space shuttle’ with exciting proportions. The study shows how the Porsche design DNA with its characteristic surface modelling can be transferred to an unknown vehicle segment for the brand. In the interior, passengers find a comfortable and modular travel cabin. The driver sits in a central driver’s seat. The all-electric drive technology is located in the underbody. As a result, passengers can enjoy an unexpectedly generous space and travel experience combined with Porsche-like flair.

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PORSCHE CENTRE MELBOURNE

MOTORSPORT BEAR XL

MARTINI RACING COLLECTION

Big plush bear with Porsche Motorsport racing suit and black cap. Made of high quality plush. Size: approx. 80 cm. In white/black/brown/beige... $377.25 Article no. WAP0400060M0MS

Padded jacket with stand-up collar. Warming, wind and water repellent. Side parts and arm decorated with woven tape in Martini Racing colours. Big white Porsche logo embroidery on the back.

QUILTED JACKET WITH HOOD, MEN

Coated reversed front zipper in red. Zipper underlay decorated with tonal Porsche logo print. Red lining. Woven story label on the inside. In red/dark blue. $426.90 Article no. WAP550XXX0M0MR

QUILTED JACKET, WOMEN

Fixed adjustable belt on the back. Coated reversed front zipper in red. Wide zipper underlay decorated with woven tape in Martini Racing colours and tonal Porsche logo print. In red/dark blue. $426.90 Article no. WAP555XXX0M0MR

911 WIRELESS CHARGING PISTON Elegant, wireless charging station with original pistons of the Porsche 911. Green LED light display for the end device charge status. Matt black surface with Porsche Crest. Dimensions: 105mm x 105mm x 60mm Output power max. 10 watts. USB type C connection. $578.10 Article no. WAP0800010LWCP

WOODEN PUZZLE High quality puzzle in the shape of a Porsche 911. Made of wood and therefore very robust. Consists of a total of 10 puzzle pieces. Size: approx. 28 x 12 cm. In blue/black. $78.10 Article no. WAP0400040MSTP

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PORSCHE 935/78, MOBY DICK

CALENDAR EDITION, 1:43

MARTINI RACING COLLECTION

In white/multicolour. Interior in black. Made of resin. Scale 1:43. $136.55 Article no. WAP0209350MMDE

COLLECTOR’S T-SHIRT NO. 20, UNISEX

A tribute to the Porsche 917 KH from 1971: the Collector’s T-Shirt with print design. Packaged in an exclusive metal box printed with the same motif. 100% cotton. In grey melange. $89.25 Article no. WAP558XXX0M0MR

PORSCHE 961 CALENDAR EDITION, 1:43 In white. Interior in black. Made of resin. Scale 1:43. $136.55 Article no. WAP0209610MKED

BABY PORSCHE

WITH LIGHTING

Your child’s first Porsche. For drivers between 1.5 and 3 years of age. Like the original, the Baby Porsche has plenty of extras: control of headlights and taillight strip via an integrated touch switch, which switches off automatically after 10 minutes. With a non-slip security steering wheel with mechanical horn, extra-wide whisper-quiet tyres and an ergonomically designed soft seat (removable). $377.25 Article no. WAP0400050LBBP

PORSCHE 917/30 SPYDER CALENDAR EDITION, 1:43 In green/multicolour. Interior in black. Made of DieCast. Scale 1:43. $136.55 Article no. WAP0209170MKED

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