Porsche has now reverted to what it does best, which is encapsulated in the current 911, a design that, incredibly, first appeared back in 1963.

Porsche cars are as they are because the first model, the 356, was inspired by the Volkswagen, created by the Stuttgart-based design bureau that Ferdinand Porsche had established in 1931. In addition to manufacturing cars, the company still sells its engineering expertise to the world's motor industry.

When the great Austrian engineer's son, also christened Ferdinand but always known as Ferry (born .1909), decided, in mid 1947, to produce a sports car under the Porsche name, it was both logical and inevitable that its mechanicals would be based on those of the VW. This meant its cost-conscious, rear-mounted, air-cooled, 1.1 litre, four-cylinder engine. Its horizontally opposed configuration is known on the Continent as a boxer motor.

Porsche-patented torsion bar suspension was similarly employed and, whilst the VW parts progressively made way for Porsche-designed ones, the theme was perpetuated on the 911 which replaced the 356 in 1964. Here was one of the great designs of motoring history and it is, in essence, still in production today.

Porsche was fortunate to be buttressed by royalty payments from booming VW Beetle sales, but in 1975 came what proved to be an ill-advised corporate switch in emphasis away from sports cars, and towards more popular grand tourers powered by conventional front-mounted, water-cooled engines.

In the short term the arrival of the 924, followed by the 928 and 944, saw an astonishing rise in sales volumes, which peaked in 1985/6 when 53,625 cars were produced. However, from thereon output has slumped to a 13,000-unit, 18 year low in 1993 as the GTs have ceased production, and the 911 sports car has again moved centre stage.

Almost from its inception the company has participated in racing. The first Porsche appeared at Le Mans in 1951 although it was to be 19 years before the make took the chequered flag in the 24 hour classic event in 1970.

Since then Porsche has won on a further 11 occasions, and these 12 victories are now unrivalled by any other make. Ferrari's long reign of nine triumphs at the Sarthe circuit is vanquished.

Currently Porsche is still a proudly independent company as its grapples to survive in an increasingly competitive world. As its half century as a major manufacturer approaches in 1998, the extraordinary chemistry of Germany's most famous sports car still excites enthusiasm, awe and, above all, respect.

THE NO frills 356 of 1948 was the first Porsche and its unconventional appearance and rear-mounted, air-cooled engine established a unique pedigree that endures until this day. Called 356 because of its allocation in the company's register of designs, the cars were initially built at a former saw mill in the Austrian Alps because Porsche's Stuttgart premises were occupied by the American army. The bureau had occupied the remote facility at Gmiind since 1943 so as to be out of range of Allied bombing.

An open car, its mechanicals were laid out under Ferry Porsche's direction by chief engineer Karl Rabe, and based on the Type 64 sports coupe Porsche had built before the war. As the company had been responsible for the design of the Volkswagen Beetle saloon, this 1939 car was powered by its horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, air-cooled engine that, in the interests of road holding, was located in the centre of the vehicle. The layout was inherited by the 356.

However, at the elder Porsche's suggestion, on production versions the 1.1 unit was relocated in the rear position it shared with the VW saloon to provide, albeit limited, accommodation for rear passengers. As on the Volkswagen, the Porsche-patented torsion bar suspension was all independent, with trailing arms at the front and a rear swing axle.

Whilst this prototype had an open body, essayed by Erwin Komenda, the majority of 356s were aerodynamically superior aluminium coupes. As such they were capable of a respectable 136km/h (85mph).Production, such as it was, continued at Gmiind until 1951. But in the previous year Porsche had returned to Stuttgart , although not to its original factory. Instead it shared facilities with the Re-utter body company, with which it had strong pre-war associations, and it was not until late in 1955 that the firm reoccupied its own premises in the Zuffenhausen district of the city.

Reutter was accordingly awarded the 356 body contract and the shells were now made of cheaper but heavier steel. To compensate for the extra weight, in 1951 the 356's engine capacity was upped to 1.5 litres. Later, for the 356A of 1956, came a final increase to 1.6.

In 1950 the first 356s had appeared in America , which was to become Porsche's most important overseas market. British sales started in the following year.

The company made its Le Mans debut in 1951 when a trio of 356s were entered. Although two dropped out, the third went on to win its class. This was an impressive showing for what was essentially a standard car. Clearly the new Porsche marque was one to watch!

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