Need research material on Ferdinand Porsche

[DaddyGlenn]

My fourth grade son has to do a huge social studies report on an individual in history. Since I am raising him correctly, he chose Ferdinand Porsche.

I (and my son) would appreciate any help in finding references to his life and achievements.

[MattKellett]

For his racing cars and racing history try AtlasF1.com and then go to the Nostalgia Forum. So much info can be found here, many notable authors also write on this forum.

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php

[Noah930]

Excellence magazine has had a series on him these past few months. Articles are written by automotive historian Karl Ludvigsen. I don't know if the articles are reprints from his book Excellence was Expected or not. Look at the November '08 issue for a good start.

[porsche4life]

Ya the last Excellence had a great piece on him

[MattKellett]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Excellence magazine has had a series on him these past few months. Articles are written by automotive historian Karl Ludvigsen. I don't know if the articles are reprints from his book Excellence was Expected or not. Look at the November '08 issue for a good start.

I think these are excerpts form his new book - Ferdinand Porsche, Genesis of Genius.

I ordered a copy form Bentley, fairly pricey, but I think will be worth it.

[Schumi]

Prof. Dr. Ing h.c. Ferdinand Porsche had a lot of great achievements in his time. the Lohner-Porsche electric car is a forgotten, albeit important one, let alone the auto union cars and the VW Beetle.

Unfortunately, as far as Porsches as we know them go, his son, Ferry Porsche, along with Ernst Fuhrmann and Dr. Porsche's grandson Butzi Porsche had the most involvement in making Porsche AG into what it is today (Along with Peter Schutz in the 80's). The great Dr. just wasn't around long enough to see it.

The late years after Dr. Porsche was released from french warcrimes prison (that will be an interesting paragraph for a 4th grader) were very interesting. Porsche was in bad financial conditions and they were trying to get the 356 off the ground. Dr. Porsche died shortly after due to a stroke I believe.

Wikipedia has a lot of rather detailed and accurate information actually, and it is cited, so you can goto the source to get it.

[Laneco]

I read a book about the VW Beetle called "Small Wonder."

Most of the first part of that book is all F. Porsche. Guy was BRILLIANT! Fellow was making functional hybrids long before he ever made the VW. Battery technology held him back, but that is nothing new.

angela

[pwd72s]

In the movie "Band of Brothers", it was mentioned that only Nazis, high level ones, were allowed to live in Zell Am Zee. Next time I talk to Don Malarkey, I plan to ask him if that was true, or just movie hype...

[tabs]

Ferdi designed and built Super Tanks for Hitler...he was a fav of the Fuhrer.

[DaddyGlenn]

After discussing the topic with my wife and my son, the report will be on Ferry. Still need reference help.

[Rikao4]

Zell am See is stunning, it's at the base of Hintertux..
one of my ski places..
Porsche still owns the 'house'

Rika

[Schumi]

Ferry wrote a (possibly more than one actually) autobiography. Very detailed. It is available on amazon.

Or again, wikipedia has tons of info on Ferry and cites sources so you could check the books that are cited there

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

Zell am See is stunning, it's at the base of Hintertux..
one of my ski places..
Porsche still owns the 'house'

Rika

There was a period of time when the screaming eagles of the 101st owned it...I have the honor of knowing one of those guys from Easy Company.