Porsche 901: The Rare 911 Before The 911
Richard Hammond talks Porsche history at The Concours D’Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, explaining how the 901 came to be the 911.
Ah, the Porsche 901. Even some of the most esteemed 911 enthusiasts may not be able to pick it out in a crowd. There’s a good reason for that, too. If it looks exactly like a 911, it’s because it is. However, at the same time, it isn’t. In 1963, the first year of the Porsche 911, a minuscule amount of production models made it into private owners’ hands under the original name, the Porsche 901. However, Porsche quickly changed the name after a dispute with another automotive manufacturer. Though they are identical to the 911, these rare beauties are few and far between. Furthermore, if you did see one, you might not even know it.
In a recent video on the Drive Tribe Youtube channel, automotive icon Richard Hammond takes a stroll around the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace. Though the lot is absolutely littered with exceedingly rare cars (and their eye-watering price tags), this lovely little red Porsche stands out. Not only because of its beautifully maintained condition, but because of the story it has to tell.
How the 911 Became the 911
That story, of course, is the explanation behind the name 911.
“Porsche show their devastatingly fabulous new car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and they call it the 901. However, Peugeot objected to the idea of having a car’s name with a zero in the middle of it. That was theirs and theirs alone. They decided they own the zero, so they stopped them from doing it. Hence, the name 911 was chosen, and the legend that many of us, me included, grew to love was born,” explains Hammond.
Now, if that sounds a little far-fetched, that’s understandable. Especially when you consider the fact that the person delivering this info is somewhat known for making a joke or two. However, this is the truth, and it’s backed up by Porsche’s official website. According to Porsche, Peugeot did indeed own the trademark to three-digit vehicle names with a zero in the middle.
Ultimately, Porsche did wind up producing a handful of examples still under the name 901. Though it is very rare, some did make it into public hands.
“Only 82 were made, and reportedly some of them slipped out into private hands a 901s. Here is one. That’s a rare car, ” says Hammond.
We’re always happy to see fun little details of Porsche history like this pop-up. Additionally, many enthusiasts may not even know the history behind the 911 name. So, next time you see what looks like a 1963 Porsche 911, you’ll start to wonder whether or not you’re looking at one of the incredibly rare originals. Though it is highly unlikely, we can still dream, right?
For a closer look at this beautiful piece of Porshe history as well as all the other cars Hammond found interesting at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, be sure to check out the video below.