Porsche 911: Perfection by Design [Paperback]

Randy Leffingwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2007

No other sports car has had a run like the Porsche 911, on the street or on the world's racetracks. On the eve of Porsche’s 60th anniversary, 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. 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Excellence, "June 2006 (No. 1 Porsche-specific magazine in the U.S.) "Books on Porsche come and go - but standouts are rare. "Porsche 911: Perfection by Design" is one ... What really sets this book apart is the way it endeavors to answer a basic question: 'Why has the rear-engined 911 been so successful in a world that's relegated its basic layout to automotive history?' The in-depth research and telling interviews used to answer that question make this book a bargain at $50. "The story is matched with superb photos. As is often the case with images captured by Leffingwell's lens, many are the kind you'll pore over before turning the page. ""Porsche 911: Perfection by Design" is worthy of a place on the shelf alongside Ludvigsen, Aichle, Frere and Sloniger. Think of it as a book that fills in the "whys" behind the" whats" of Porsche history - without relying on tired photos or rehashed history. It will make a fine addition to any Porsche library."

Book Description

On the eve of Porsche’s 60th anniversary, this richly illustrated volume tells the story of that fabled marque. The book features analyses of each important model, putting the cars into their broader context. With fine photographs of each car and interviews with key personnel, Porsche 911 comprises a complete and fascinating history of the world’s premier name in sports cars.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks (September 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760329753
• ISBN-13: 978-0760329757
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Luxury
  • #47 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Pictorial
  • #66 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > History

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read with beautiful photographs..., December 30, 2005

By 

M. Mark Yenikomshian - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Porsche 911: Perfection by Design (Hardcover)

A great review of the development of the 911 from the "901" through the 997. The book traces the history of the 911 through its generations. This is a must-have book if you own a Porsche or dream of owning one. The quality of the photos is excellent and the writing is thoughtful. Some good historical background make this an enjoyable book to read. Street cars and race cars are covered. Putting together a concise, and yet, fresh history of the Porsche 911 is a hard feat... Mr. Leffingwell did it! I highly recommend it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars but..., February 17, 2006

By 

X. Levadiotis "Excell" (Xanthi, Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Porsche 911: Perfection by Design (Hardcover)

..only if you are interested in a pictorial evolution of the 911. The pictures inside are awesome and they are not to be found on the internet. The supplementary text is comprehensive and very informative and the book is readable throughout.
However, you get the feeling that the book is somewhat hastily written after the 964 generation and the inclusion of some Ruf and Gemballa derivatives spoils the story in my humble opinion as they are not original 911s.
Moreover some models are missing and they are mentioned in their racing guises (like the 911 GT2 (993)). No real technical data is supplied but giving it 4 stars would be injustice.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfection By Design, February 15, 2007

By 

D. A. Lindsay (Santa Barbara, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Porsche 911: Perfection by Design (Hardcover)

Randy's book sits prominently in my family room along side other Porsche books and is one of the few that is up to speed with some of the latest offerings from Zuffenhausen. Writing a book on the 911 is nearly impossible because there is so much out there. You have to know where to start and where to end,--and just how much to stuff in the middle. Randy pulls this off with a great selection of photos, most never before seen, and accurate detail of the nuances of the famous 911. The only negative I can find is what puts a book in the top 5% of books, and that is matching copy to photographs,--on the same page. This is extremely hard to do because it is generally unpredictable, where one paragraph or photograph will start or stop. That, along with a handfull of errors in photo IDs keeps it from perfection by design itself but it's nicely assembled and beautifully printed. Anyone with a 911 in their garage should have this book to help explain their addiction to normal people.