Sketchy Or Sleek?
Not every Porsche rolling off the production line has been a masterpiece. The brand that gave us some of the most beautiful sports cars ever made has also created a few models that, well, let's just say beauty wasn't their strong suit. But when Porsche gets it right, they really get it right. So, here are 10 models that made people wince and 10 that became instant favorites.
1. Porsche 914
The collaborative effort between Porsche and Volkswagen resulted in a car that was marketed as "VW-Porsche" in Europe, immediately making purists dismiss it as a glorified Volkswagen wearing Stuttgart badges. Sports Car Graphic magazine also called it a “pleasant eyesore”.
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand on Wikimedia
2. First-Generation Porsche Panamera
Although built on the Cayenne platform, automotive journalists struggled to find diplomatic language for the design, ultimately settling on descriptions like "elongated jelly bean" and the more brutal "horrendous as sin." It was boring enough to be entirely ignored in traffic.
3. Porsche 924
What started as Volkswagen's flagship sports coupe project became Porsche's salvation through corporate necessity and a $40 million investment. Individuals weren't impressed with the final product, saying that it looked more like a generic hatchback typical of late 1970s economy cars.
4. Porsche 996
When the 996 arrived in 1997, it marked the end of air-cooled engines in the 911 lineup, a change that angered traditional Porsche enthusiasts who viewed water cooling as automotive sacrilege. Controversial oval headlights, nicknamed "fried eggs," replaced the classic round 911 headlights.
5. First-Generation Porsche Cayenne
Was this the ultimate betrayal of the brand's pure sports car heritage? The original layout proved problematic, as drivers struggled with applying the 996-era swoopy design language to a tall, utilitarian SUV body. The proportions created seemed fundamentally wrong.
6. Porsche 968
While regarded as an improvement over the 924 and 944 in terms of refinement, its styling has been described as “slightly awkward”. The long hood and short rear deck, combined with rounded fenders, are also polarizing and seen as less cohesive.
7. Porsche 912E
Only 2,099 examples of this forgettable stopgap model were produced, developed solely to bridge the gap between the discontinued 914 and the upcoming 924 in 1976. The 912E featured the same underpowered 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the 914.
8. Porsche 917/20
Representing advanced aerodynamic research for the 1971 Le Mans race, the 917/20's bizarre bodywork was wider and more ungainly than that of standard 917 race cars. People called it "Pink Pig" due to its bulbous proportions and livery featuring meat diagrams.
9. Porsche 928 (Early Models)
Pop-up headlights and a front-engine layout made the original 1978 928 look more like a Corvette than a traditional Porsche, abandoning everything that made the brand distinctive. The 928 was supposed to replace the 911, but unfortunately, it displayed a controversial styling.
10. Porsche 944 (Base Model)
Despite handling well due to nearly 50/50 weight distribution, the entry-level 944 was criticized for being painfully slow, taking 8.3 seconds to reach 60 mph with only 143 horsepower. It led to complaints about poor value for money from disappointed folks.
Fortunately, Porsche has also created some truly stunning machines.
1. Porsche 917
The 917 sits extremely low to the ground, with a long, sweeping body, engineered for both speed and aerodynamic efficiency. It's pronounced front fenders smoothly integrate into an ultra-flat nose. Additionally, the original “longtail” (Langheck) versions featured a nearly spaceship-like rear.
2. Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
Among collectors today, just 1,580 examples were produced in 1973, with the 200 Lightweight models commanding astronomical prices at auction. The iconic "ducktail" rear spoiler introduced on this piece became a design signature that would appear on future 911 special editions.
3. Porsche 959
Revolutionary all-wheel drive with computer-controlled torque distribution and adjustable ride height made the 959 a technological tour de force that redefined what a supercar could be. Advanced materials like Kevlar and Nomex body panels were paired with magnesium wheels and run-flat tires.
4. Porsche 550 Spyder
Hollywood legend James Dean's tragic death while driving his 550 forever linked this racing gem to cinema history. From 1953 to 1956, the machine dominated racing with its lightweight mid-engine layout and exceptional handling that embarrassed much larger competitors on tracks worldwide.
5. Porsche 918 Spyder
Achieving a Nürburgring lap time of 6:57 made the 918 one of the fastest production automobiles ever around the famous circuit. However, this hybrid hypercar represented much more than just speed. Its sleek curves and sculpted surfaces are engineered to optimize airflow.
Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de on Wikimedia
6. Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion
The GT1's aggressive aerodynamic package and race-bred stance made it look like a Le Mans prototype on the road. The beast came with massive air intakes and wings. Performance matched its intimidating appearance with a top speed of 191 mph.
Detectandpreserve on Wikimedia
7. Porsche Carrera GT
Carbon fiber monocoque construction gave rise to dramatic sculptural surfaces. The exposed carbon fiber elements and aggressive stance also gave the GT an almost alien appearance, setting it apart from every contemporary supercar. A 5.7-liter V10 engine powered it.
8. Porsche 356
The very first Porsche sports car established the brand's design DNA when it showed up in 1948. Erwin Komenda's lightweight aluminum body structure featured flowing, organic curves that earned it the nickname "bathtub" Porsche due to its distinctive upside-down bathtub shape.
Rex Gray from Southern California on Wikimedia
9. Porsche 911 Turbo (930)
Wide rear fenders and the iconic "whale tail" spoiler crafted a stance that became synonymous with 1970s supercar excess. Additionally, the flared haunches and aggressive aero kit announced serious intent, with the "Widowmaker" nickname coming from this car’s tough handling characteristics.
10. Porsche 904 Carrera GTS
Ferdinand Alexander Porsche's gorgeous fiberglass bodywork achieved perfect proportions that many consider the most beautiful racing car design ever made. Its low-slung profile and elegant proportions made it look fast even when stationary. Only 106 examples were produced in 1964.
