ETERNAL FLAME

Beyond the thrill of speed and the roar of its engines, Porsche's most precious gift to motoring fans is its ability to make them believe in love at first sight.

- Alvin Wong

IT IS HARD to remember a time before the Porsche 911 existed. Although there is one, obviously—the car was released in 1963 and celebrated its 60th anniversary last year—the 911’s sheer omnipresence evokes a sense of timelessness that makes us feel as if the car has been with us all our lives.

“The term (timelessness) provides me with guidance for what the Porsche brand has represented for many years and what we aim to communicate in the future,” said Michael Mauer, Porsche’s chief designer, in an interview to commemorate the 911’s diamond jubilee. “In a world full of explanations, design should be self-explanatory.”

In other words, nothing can adequately describe the feelings of delight and desire when encountering a Porsche. And it is a visceral emotion that the German marque has stirred in motoring enthusiasts the world over since 1948, when it released the Porsche 356, its first automobile.