50 FAST YEARS

As the Turbo celebrates its 50th birthday, Total 911 takes the newest addition on a cross-country road trip. Is this the best everyday super sports car?

- Simon Jackson

History has a tendency to repeat itself. The economic, social, environmental and political issues littering modern mainstream media reports paint a picture that’s often difficult to digest. But we don’t live in unprecedented times.

Fifty years ago the world was enduring a similar predicament, and the automotive industry was in turmoil. The OPEC oil crisis of 1973 led to skyhigh fuel prices. Almost overnight, thirsty, highperformance cars were shunned in favour of more economical machines. Against the backdrop of global recession, energy conservation became the name of the game, with speed limits introduced in a bid to cut fuel consumption – both in Europe and the US.

At the same time, the early 1970s gave rise to new environmental concerns. In the States, the Clean Air Act called for a significant reduction in vehicle emissions, serving to strangle horsepower output. And then there was the problem of safety. The North American and European markets introduced a raft of measures designed to improve passenger welfare in an accident. In Germany came ‘car-free’ days, and legislation tailored to improve pedestrian safety. In the biggest export market for Porsche, the USA, the 911 struggled to meet tightening smog rules. It was also forced to wear impact bumpers and its seat belt systems were revised. All things considered, Porsche and its 911 were in a spot of bother.

As some manufacturers buckled in the face of adversity, ever the phoenix from the flames, Porsche decided that now was the time to fly in the face of convention, launching a new, high-performance 911. It would be a supercar for the modern era, a turbocharged 911 showcasing Stuttgart’s engineering prowess born on the racetrack. It was, of course, the 911 Turbo, and five decades on we’re all busy celebrating its enduring success.