Porsche Boxster Story: The Entire Development History [Hardcover]

Paul Frere (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2005

In Porsche Boxster Story author Paul Frère traces the development history of the Boxster, from the original concept car, unveiled at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show, through the evolution of the first-generation 986-series cars, to the latest 987-series. He provides a technical description of the body structure, engine, transmission and running gear as they evolved over the years, together with a summary of press reaction at each stage of development. Finally, he covers the Cayman S coupé, itself based on the Boxster and filling the gap between the Boxster and the 911 in terms of price and performance.  

 

 

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

In Porsche Boxster Story author Paul Frère traces the development history of the Boxster, from the original concept car, unveiled at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show, through the evolution of the first-generation 986-series cars, to the latest 987-series. He provides a technical description of the body structure, engine, transmission and running gear as they evolved over the years, together with a summary of press reaction at each stage of development. Finally, he covers the Cayman S coupé, itself based on the Boxster and filling the gap between the Boxster and the 911 in terms of price and performance.  

 

 

About the Author

Paul Frère is an engineer, journalist and former top-flight racing driver, enjoying a close and long-standing relationship with the Porsche company. His best-selling and highly revered Porsche 911 Story is now in its eighth edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Haynes Publishing; 1st edition (September 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844250091
• ISBN-13: 978-1844250097
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Luxury

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not what I hoped it would be, December 24, 2006

By 

Granville reviews (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Porsche Boxster Story: The Entire Development History (Hardcover)

I too purchased this expecting that it would be similar in scope and quality to Frere's 911 book, which is a detailed and authoritative history of that model's development.

Unfortunately this book contains very little that is not already common and widespread knowledge, such as the fact that the original Boxster shared its entire front end with the 996 variant of the 911. Indeed, most of what is written here could easily be derived from the brochures and press kits accompanying each new Boxster model. The scanty text is padded with dozens of photos and drawings obviously obtained from Porsche.

Frere's book seems to be a cynical attempt by the publisher to capitalize on his name and reputation, and sadly it does neither any favors. For real aficionados the definitive story of the Boxster can be found instead in Karl Ludvigsen's excellent three-volume "Porsche: Excellence was Expected."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A work in progress, December 8, 2006

By 

G. M. Gaukler (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Porsche Boxster Story: The Entire Development History (Hardcover)

Paul Frere is a great author, and there isn't much that he doesn't know about Porsches. This book, however, appears to be a work in progress.

Compared to his excellent book "Porsche 911 Story", this book is just too fluffy. Yes, there are some tidbits of great information in here and technical data that you won't find anywhere else. But all this is buried under too many pretty pictures (taken directly from the Porsche sales brochures) and too many pages of excerpts from car magazine reviews. Plus there are some annoying mistakes: for example, the book claims that the center radiator exists only in those S models that are equipped with Tiptronic.

Nonetheless, this is the best book on the Boxster that I am aware of - and at less than $25, you can't really go wrong. But a "911 Story" it is not!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Porsche Boxster Development History, March 29, 2007

By 

A. J. MCFARLANE (South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Porsche Boxster Story: The Entire Development History (Hardcover)

A good read and a useful balance of technical and historical information on the Boxster; a notable ommission however was any information about the 2004 Boxster S Anniversary Edition (a.k.a. Boxster 550 Spyder).