.
Porsche Panamericana
Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination
| |
| Porsche Panamericana | |
|---|---|
| Porsche | |
| aka | Type aka here, not up there |
| Introduction | 1989 |
| Class | Concept Car |
| Body Style | Coupe/Cabriolet/Targa hybrid |
| Length | 4450 mm |
| Width | 1750 mm |
| Height | 1700 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2350 mm |
| Weight | 1415 kg |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Engine | 3.6 litre flat-six, air cooled, naturally aspirated |
| Power | 250 hp @ N/A rpm N/A lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm |
| Similar | Porsche 993 |
| Designer | Harm Lagaay |
The Porsche Panamericana was produced in 1989 to celebrate Ferdinand Anton Ernst Porsche's ( ferry) 80th birthday. The car was based upon the recently-released Porsche 964, in Carrera 4 guise, and was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989 to display Porsche's new design direction.
See Wikicars' comprehensive Porsche Panamericana Review.
Photos
Background
The Harm Lagaay-styled Panamericana was developed in the short space of six months, with the conversion work being completed by the Prototype Department at the Porsche factory in Weissach. The bodywork used many new materials and production processes, such as the use of carbon and plastic composites. Speedline were contracted to produce a unique three-spoke, three-piece alloy wheel design.
It was the bodystyling which got everybody talking, though. Following on from the 959, the wings were smoother and more streamlined than the standard 964's, and the car was fitted with capacious wheel arches, which allowed it to be used offroad if so desired. The car rode higher than the standard 964, and the roofline was completely different, due to the appearance of the next-generation 'Targa' roof, which could be covered with a pink fabric sheet and secured by a zip. The interior also got the concept car treatment, with the leather seats colour-matched to the bodywork.
Although Lagaay hoped that the Panamericana would enter a limited production run early in the 1990s, the Porsche management blanket was also applied to the Panamericana project, and hence it was stopped in its tracks, along with the 969 and 989. However, the design lessons learnt in the production of the Panamericana were utilised on the Porsche 993, and especially the Targa model, which benefitted from the full-length sunroof - albeit with a glass panel instead of pink fabric. The lights, front and rear, were aped on the Porsche Boxster and Porsche 996, and the carbon composite panels were used in Porsche's racing projects.
Reportedly, Ferdinand Porsche still has the car.
Unique Attributes
If there are any features of this vehicle that sets it apart from other vehicles in its class, then mention those unique attributes here.
Criticisms
Please make sure to keep critiques in a third-person point of view. If using criticisms from a reputable automotive source, then please make sure to cite the quote.
Worldwide
If the vehicle is sold in other markets worldwide, then this is the section to mention that information. Also, mention if the <MODEL> goes by another name in these other markets.
Design quirks and oddities
Refer to any pop-culture tidbits about the vehicle in this section.
Awards
List out notable awards that the model has recieved while in production. Boldface the company or organization that gives out the award, and Italicize the name of the award.
See Also
External Links
Please include any external sites that were used in collaborating this data, including manufacturer sites, in this section.
