Things to Come

Porsche concept cars, no matter how fantastic they may seem, are rooted in reality and often indicate the shape of things to come.   The 1989 Panamericana is based on the chassis of the all-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 4, then in its first year of production.  Unlike many 'show cars,' the Panamericana is fully operational.  It was built as a present for Professor Dr. Ferry Porsche on his 80th birthday.  Its name as well as its design, recalls Porsche's success in the Carrera Panamericana, the Mexican road race at which Porsche race cars ran so successfully in 1953 and 1954.  Although the Panamericana show car was never intended for production, elements of its body styling may be seen in later generations of 911.