The History behind Why Porsche 911 is Named 911 – A Comprehensive Guide
Porsche is a well-recognized and respected brand in the automotive industry. No car enthusiast would be unaware of the brand’s iconic model, the Porsche 911. This sports car has been a symbol of excellence, luxury, and performance since its debut. One thing that has always piqued people’s curiosity is the story behind its name. Why is Porsche 911 called 911? In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into the history and explore the facts and myths that surround this famous number.
The Origin of the Name:
The official story behind why Porsche 911 is called 911 is that the company wanted to give the model a unique and memorable name. The name “911” was chosen because it was simple, easy to remember, and was unlikely to be confused with other car models. However, the story may not be that simple.
There is a popular myth that the Porsche 911 was named after the emergency telephone number in North America – 911. However, this is just a coincidence. The Porsche 911 was introduced in 1964, and the 911 emergency number was not established in North America until the late 1960s.
Another myth suggests that the Porsche 911 was named after the 911th fighter squadron of the United States Air Force, which had a reputation for being one of the best squadrons at the time. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.
The Truth behind the Name:
The real story behind why Porsche 911 is called 911 is that it was a marketing decision. Porsche had previously named its models after the internal project numbers used during the development process. The successor to the Porsche 356 was the Porsche 901, but Peugeot had claimed the rights to all three-digit names with a zero in the middle. As a result, Porsche was forced to rename the model, and after browsing through the dictionary, they settled on 911.
Another interesting fact is that Porsche initially wanted to name the car “Porsche 901,” but when Peugeot claimed the trademark, Porsche changed the name to “911.” The change in numbering meant that Porsche had to redesign some of the components of the car, including the dashboard gauges, to suit the new name.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the story behind why Porsche 911 is called 911 has been a topic of speculation for a long time. The real reason behind the name is that Porsche had to rename the car after Peugeot claimed the rights to three-digit numbers with a zero in the middle. Although there are many myths surrounding the name, the fact remains that it is simply a memorable and easy-to-remember name that has become synonymous with the Porsche brand.
