Basis of the 911 styling

[Soda]

Hi all,

I'm interested to tap into your expert knowledge on the original 911 styling inspiration.

Someone told me the original 911 was styled around an English car called the Rochdale Olympic. I don't know if that is true or not, but looking at pictures, it seems somewhat striking to me how similar they are and the Rochdale is an earlier car.

Can anyone comment?

Thanks

 

[Skoosh1970]

My understanding was it was based on the Beetle... way earlier than the olympic, and designed by Mr F.Porsche...?

356 became 911 and here we are...still .

 

[Alex]

Started in 1939 with the Porsche 64, made from many parts used in the Beetle (also designed by Ferdinand Porsche). This is said to be the 1st Porsche built and is the predecessor to the 356, which then evolved to the 911.

Here it is in the flesh (taken by myself down in St Tropez back in 2016):

 

[T8]

The resemblance between the 64 and a 996 is uncanny - apart from the 64 having better headlights.

 

[T8]

The resemblance between the 64 and a 996 is uncanny - apart from the 64 having better headlights.

 

[Alex]

Philistine.

 

[Soda]

My understanding was it was based on the Beetle... way earlier than the olympic, and designed by Mr F.Porsche...?

356 became 911 and here we are...still .

Hi Skoosh 1970,

My question is about the styling inspiration for the 911, not its engineering transition. 356 to 911 is a considerable departure in design aesthetic is it not?
Surely the Olympic is much closer in terms of style, but definitely not similar in terms of engineering.

 

[Soda]

My understanding was it was based on the Beetle... way earlier than the olympic, and designed by Mr F.Porsche...?

356 became 911 and here we are...still .

Hi Skoosh 1970,

Thanks for your response. My question is about the styling inspiration for the 911, not its engineering development.
I would say 356 to 911 is a considerable departure in design aesthetic and the 911 closer to the Olympic styling than a 356?

Or is it just me

 

[Skoosh1970]

 

[Skoosh1970]

From this picture i would agree that styling wise, very similar, as it is to an early TVR Griffith or 3000. ..? Still see early beetle in all years and variations of 911 .

Trying to work out where i've seen that front wing design before on a relatively current car..?

 

[Soda]

My understanding was it was based on the Beetle... way earlier than the olympic, and designed by Mr F.Porsche...?

356 became 911 and here we are...still .

Hi Skoosh 1970,

Thanks for your response. My question is about the styling inspiration for the 911, not its engineering development.
I would say 356 to 911 is a considerable departure in design aesthetic and the 911 closer to the Olympic styling than a 356?

Or is it just me

 

[Roro]

I can't see it personally. The headlamps are round and there's a smiley bonnet front line (which is lower on a 911), relatively upright windscreen, but for me that's where the resemblance stops. That ugly little thing has flares down the sides, round indicator lamps on the front wings, 2x rectangular grille openings on the front. I could probably point out as many differences are you could similarities. Isn't this just a generic sports car shape from that period? TVR has been mentioned, there's probably plenty of other examples. Same thing goes on today, cars look similar, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, be hard pressed to tell a lot of models apart, just the fashion of the day. Based on what manufacturers think will be most desirable features to the most number of people buying the 'thing' in question

Just my opinion of course

 

[T8]

I always thought the Rochdale Olympic was a kit car and most resembled an E-Type Jaguar Coupe from the rear with a TVR/Lotus front end grafted on it. I hadn't realised that Rochdale were a manufacturer.

I certainly never associated the design with any 911.

 

[Alex]

60s TVR Griffith.

 

[T8]

Rear end = E Type Jaguar resemblance. It's certainly nothing like a 911.