The Complete Book of Porsche 911 provides a model-by-model overview for each year of the 911's production, from the original 901 prototype to the current models.

For over 40 years, Porsche’s legendary 911 has ruled the realm of sports cars. The Porsche 911 is the benchmark. The 911 recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, making it one of the longest-running models currently in production from any manufacturer. A leader on the race track as well as the street, it posted an outright, overall victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2003, beating Corvettes, Ferraris, and even purpose-built Daytona Prototype race cars. This, despite the fact the 911’s rear-engine configuration was long ago rejected by rivals. Why does it hold such a coveted spot at the pinnacle of the sports car world? In Porsche 911: Perfection by Design, best-selling author/photographer and noted Porsche historian Randy Leffingwell adeptly answers this question, tracing the amazing story of its development and rise to international success, from the 1963 Type 901 through 2005 models. In tandem, he weaves the racing 911’s rich history, where it reigned victorious at Le Mans, Daytona and many more of the world’s most prestigious races. With more than 350 pages and 300 vivid color and black and white photographs, this amazing hard-cover book showcases why the 911 continues to impress enthusiasts and engineers alike. Leffingwell interviewed dozens of former and current Porsche engineers, designers and executives – including Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche, the father of the 911 – as well as Porsche competitors (who used the 911 as a benchmark for their own designs) to create a true, hands-on anecdotal history of the 911. Straight from the key players and decision-makers, he explains: “This book is an inside story of how the 911 came to be what it was, what it is now and how it moved through 40-plus years of evolution, growth and improvement.” A jaw-dropping and unprecedented collection of 911s between two covers (Leffingwell and David Newhardt’s stunning, full-page, color photography features more than 80 Porsche 911s) complements the text, enticing readers to an up-close-and-personal view of these exotic, wish-list cars.

One of the classic German sports cars, the 911, is covered here in a complete history from the drawing board of Dr. Porsche to the Carrera 2. Packed with profiles, road tests, buying tips, maintenance and care of these sporty legends.

The introduction of the Porsche 901 in 1963 marked↵ a milestone in automotive history. Although the name later had to be changed because Peugeot had patented having a 0 in the middle of car model numbers, the 911 didn't let anything stand in the way of its becoming an iconic sports car. This success story spans all the way from the 901 and the Carrera RS 2.7 (which with its characteristic rear spoiler--the so-called "ducktail"--was the fastest production car of its time) right up to the current generation of the 991. For the 50th birthday of the populous 911 family, the famous automotive photographer Rene Staud, whose The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Book has also been published by teNeues, showcases the most important models--all in his typically radiant and distinctive style.

No other sports car has had a run like Porsches, on the street or on the world's racetracks. This richly illustrated volume tells the story of that fabled marque. Renowned automotive writer and photographer (and Porsche aficionado) Randy Leffingwell focuses his lens on each important model the first 356 to today's Cayman and 911. His pictures, in-depth analyses of each car and its context, and interviews with key personnel comprise a complete, compelling, and often revealing history of the world's premier name in sports cars.