Across the decades of Porsche 911 production, we’ve seen many changes in technology and style. And not just in the cars themselves, but in the ways of marketing. Today’s ‘always on’ social media channels, apps and streaming videos are used by Porsche in a very powerful way to promote the brand.
But as a kid born in the 1960’s and growing up in the seventies, car magazines and Sunday colour supplements were the areas that I was most exposed to car adverts. While we still see Porsche advertising in the specialist press, we see it less and less in mainstream media. I can recall when every car magazine had the rear cover taken over my Rothmans or Marlboro cigarette adverts, with reports by writers with the most superb elbow patches on their corduroy jackets.
The Porsche media archive is a treasure trove of times gone by. Here’s a look at Porsche 911 advertising across the decades.
The 1960’s – Avante Garde and Vivid
The vivid colours can only be from the sixties. But even as it was launched, the 911 was being marketed as the perfect sports and touring car, with motorsport lineage at the heart of the marketing
The Seventies – Oil Crisis and Efficiency
The is the era where I personally became ‘Porsche aware’. Early memories of RSR’s and first generation Turbos are my memories of childhood. Apparently, there was a global oil crisis, but at seven years old, I was more interested in JPS Lotus and whale tail 911’s…
Through the Eighties and Into the Nineties
This is probably more the style that many of us are familiar with. Lots more white space becomes evident and the style of German technology and evolution is the dominant theme.
The Early Nineties
Probably my favourite air cooled era, the 964, for me, offered the perfect blend of classic Porsche 911 shape, handling characteristics, plus more modern technology of coil springs and powered steering. Plus, of course, one of the Porsche special editions I have great affection for, the 964 Anniversary or ‘964 Jubi’
1994 to The Present Day
The Darwinian evolution of the Porsche 911 is something that Porsche use heavily in their promotions today and rightly so. While other manufacturers come and go from motorsport, there’s probably only Ferrari who have been continually involved in the same way. Some may say that a Porsche 911 of today has very little in common with it’s ancestors apart from a flat six engine of some type in the rear. But scroll down this page of Porsche ads and you’ll see that the lineage is evident.
Images via Porsche AG
