Over the years, Zuffenhausen has amassed a fiercely loyal following.
You won’t find a group of people more devoted to a carmaker than Porsche aficionados. To this loyal bunch, nothing sounds better than the thrum of an air-cooled flat-six and, for sheer driver enjoyment, nothing handles quite like a 911 GT3 RS.
As such, the Porsche Club has only grown stronger since it was first established in 1952. Today, the love for the Stuttgart-based carmaker stretches across the world, with more than 240,000 Porsche-loving members in 86 countries. Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, 2022 marks a special occasion for the motoring society.
Just two years ago, Porsche America celebrated its 70th anniversary in the USA. Coincidentally, the biggest Porsche Club in the world resides in America and, even though it was established as far back as 1955, it’s not the oldest. For the original, you’ll need to visit Porsche’s home country; the Porsche Club Westfalen was created in 1952.
Porsche
Porsche
Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Clubs spring up at an alarming rate – as many as five new branches a year. These independently operated Porsche societies offer unique programs and, depending on what you’re interested in, will allow you to participate in anything from motorsport events to technical lectures and, of course, Concours d’Elegance events.
While the shared passion of Porsche brings members together, the vehicles couldn’t be more different. Of course, classic 911s and 928s (the first Porsche to receive a V8) are an integral part of the community, but the company notes modern vehicles, like the fully-electric Taycan, are enjoying great popularity at events.
To mark the auspicious occasion, Porsche is arranging a global campaign, known as Enduring Passion. This will allow Porsche Club members to share their own cherished stories and memories around the Porsche Club and, of course, the cars. Elsewhere, the automaker will support several Porsche Club events including Porsche Parade USA and the Netherlands-based 356 Meeting.
Porsche
Porsche
Porsche
Porsche
This Porsche-centered camaraderie can be traced back to the 1950s. The ‘Friends of Porsche’ groups emerged from the motorsport community and, with the help of the company’s racing director, Huschke von Hanstein, Ferry Porsche brought both European and American Porsche owners together for a special rally. First held in Italy in 1956, it marked the beginning of a tradition that still carries on to this day.
This all-consuming love and passion for the Porsche brand is understandable. The German company is one of the few remaining automakers that still caters to the whims of the gearhead, not the average consumer. Yes, there are concessions (the Macan, for example) but, even then, the more mainstream offerings are designed to be engaging and joyous to pilot.
More impressive still is Porsche’s unrelenting commitment to its classic vehicles. The company regularly rolls out updates to make classic car ownership easier, but also regularly restores neglected vehicles to their former glory.