Since Porsche debuted its first production automobile in 1948 (the lightweight 356, for future trivia reference), the brand’s name has become synonymous with prestige, steering, and, ultimately, speed. The Porsche 911, introduced in 1963, quickly became a racing icon. Engineering vehicles to win competitions, the company led innovations in fuel efficiency, smaller engine design, and component placement. Now on view at Petersen Automotive Museum, The Porsche Effect traces the illustrious history of the manufacturer.
Petersen celebrated Porsche’s 50th anniversary with a major show in 1998, and the current celebration includes automobiles produced in the intervening years in addition to old notables. Replete with literature and paraphernalia from the Porsche archives, the show explores just what makes a Porsche a Porsche, how a German company expanded their market abroad, the cars’ engineering innovations, and much more.
“Porsche put the engine and the transmission in the back, where the drive axle was,” explains Leslie Kendall, the museum’s chief historian. “That meant that all the components that drove the car were centered in that one area, so you didn’t need a long drivetrain.”
Artistry is central to this exhibition, evident in the car designs, the advertising, the posters, and every nuance that’s bolstered the brand’s prime reputation. According to Kendall, Los Angeles is an ideal venue. “LA’s the capital of car creativity, car consumption, and car culture,” he says.
