Who designed the 911?

[red77911s]

As best as I can tell the conventional wisdom is that Butzi designed the 911 in the 60's however I'm just sure that in the early days of the internet I came across a technical type drawing of the 911 dated about 1935. I had always assumed Ferdinand designed it but that it was never made until after his death. Anybody got a take on this? Maybe I'm simply mistaken.

[javadog]

There were several people involved in designing the 911, including Butzi. Whatever drawing you saw from 1935 had nothing to do with it.

JR

[jbryan]

Butzi has generally been given credit but many who have studied the issue say Erwin Komenda is the person who really deserves credit for the 911 design.

[Dave Colangelo]

Butzi's first name was Ferdinand, his full name is Ferdinand Alexander "butzi" Porsche. He is the designer of the 911 or at least is commonly credited with it thus you may find designs signed "Ferdinand Porsche" as that is his real name not sure about the stuff you found from 35, they may have been early sketches.

Ferdinand Sr. died in 51, years before the 911 was made. He may have done some sketches for it but it would have been unlikely that he was involved with the bulk of the production design as he was not alive at the time. He and his son Ferry Porsche we largely responsible for the 356 which began its life while Ferdinand Sr. was still with Volkswagen.

Regards
Dave

[Komenda Fan]

Erwin Komenda was certainly involved, and some feel unfairly seconded to Butzi due to nepotism. I have no idea whether this is true or not, however, Komenda certainly was key to giving Porsche their overall design cues that continue today, as he was the senior engineer to Porsche right from the beginning. The very first prototypes were the result of his and Ferdinands work almost exclusively.

Hence my nod to Erwin with my handle, Komenda Fan.

[safe]

My understanding of it is that "Butzi" drew the design and Komenda made it real.
Butzi=designer
Komenda=engineer

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Komenda Fan

Erwin Komenda was certainly involved, and some feel unfairly seconded to Butzi due to nepotism. I have no idea whether this is true or not, however, Komenda certainly was key to giving Porsche their overall design cues that continue today, as he was the senior engineer to Porsche right from the beginning. The very first prototypes were the result of his and Ferdinands work almost exclusively.

Hence my nod to Erwin with my handle, Komenda Fan.

As JR says, several peeps involved but Komenda was a player in this. Regarding nepotism, Porsche squeezed him out and soon after he died. Did Komenda play a part in his own demise? Probably.

Read that he broke protocol and took the drawings to Reuters for the final tweaking.

Komenda is credited with designing a major innovation in the 904. Something with the body or chassis. Butzi gets the design credit. Not too much speculation on that but I have my views. After the 904, Butzi focused on coffee machines and watches. Why no more cars given his purported talent?

Anyhoo, the basic Beetle design is said to have been stolen from at least two different cars. A German Jew manufacturer and a Czech manufacturer. Mind you, Hitler was leaning on Porsche so what would you do?

I admire Erwin Komenda.

[CountD]

Erwin Komenda.

This guys site is right on. I really like this guys site, and although some people have questioned him, he has gotten to the bottom of it.

www.atico.nl/camelot/indexuk.html

Just click on 'Who really designed the 911?"

The article is great, the photos are great, and the bottom line is that he gives Komenda the attention and recognition he deserves. Not only that, he does own a '64 911. There is a picture of the Sturmvogel which looks almost exactly like a 911 from the rear - all Komenda. This is one rare photo I have never seen before.

I always thought it was pretty lousy that the photo of the Gmund coupe that I have known about since I was about 15 years old (the one with the Professor and Butzi) cut Mr. Komenda out.

[dicklague]

EXCLLENCE had a story a few issues back with some quotes from factory execs back in the day that suggested that too much credit was give to Butzi.....can't remember which issue of the magazine.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by jbryan

Butzi has generally been given credit but many who have studied the issue say Erwin Komenda is the person who really deserves credit for the 911 design.

Erwin Komenda, I'm a believer but it takes a village too.

http://porschecafe.net/vbforum/showthread.php?t=2623&langid=1

[kach22i]

Who ever saved it from looking like the below deserves a medal.

1964_porsche_901_prototype
1964 Porsche 901 Prototype Clay Model Rear Three Quarters Photo 16



In pictures: the Porsche 911 silhouette - Autofocus.ca

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Erwin Komenda, I'm a believer but it takes a village too.

Wow! Never saw that pic before. Thanks!

[Tippy]

Who ever saved it from looking like the below deserves a medal.



1964_porsche_901_prototype

1964 Porsche 901 Prototype Clay Model Rear Three Quarters Photo 16







In pictures: the Porsche 911 silhouette - Autofocus.ca

Looks like the Corvair mimicked the 901.

[sc_rufctr]

Let's be real... The 911 was "designed" to replace the 356.

So by that logic did anyone really "design" it or did they redesign the 356?

.... Please thank the Good Doctor for the shape of the 356 because without it there would be no 911

[CountD]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

.... Please thank the Good Doctor for the shape of the 356 because without it there would be no 911

So, would that Good Doctor be Dr. Erwin Komenda? He did the 356 too...

[Driven97]

Here's the excellence article referenced above. Basically says Butzi made the coffee for the team that designed the car.

[Pstallo]

That's quite a damning article Driven97 posted. I expected to see Komenda's name somewhere in it after looking at the website CountD posted but didn't see any trace of it. I assumed it was Ferry Porsche just as the glossy coffee table books say. Now, this is starting to become a bit of corporate intrigue.

[javadog]

You guys should be thankful you didn't get Komenda's version...

JR

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Pstallo

That's quite a damning article Driven97 posted.

It's beautiful. It's what I have always perceived. Butzi was an absolute no count. A zero spawn of Ferry.

Thank you, Driven97.

Saved to bookmarks.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by javadog

You guys should be thankful you didn't get Komenda's version...

JR

Let's have a look at that.