Re: Alpine vs. Porsche

Jay Laifman (Jay_Laifman(at)countrywide.com)
Tue, 22 Dec 1998 08:35:58 -0800


First, Chris, no apology to me is necessary. If there is any place in the world where we should be able to bash non-Alpines, including the Tiger, this should be it. I've just seen some nasty war of words in magazines and on the Porsche e-mail group about comments about VW's and Porsches being the same. Second, as I said, I could never decide between the two of them if I had to. But, I will say that it did take quite some time in driving the 911 to fully appreciate it. And, although it does everything "right", it does so with, well, (I better make sure no 911 fanatics are reading - Tom, you can delete now) well, without quite as much playful character. I won't say it does not have character (especially the bright Kelly Green color I have). It's just more of a "ve shall turn now" character, rather than a "quite right, let's have a turn then" character.

Oh, and I do agree that the blood lines are apparent between the VW and 911. It's just that by the time of the 911, the DNA had been changed so much, it is more like comparing the Model T to the Boss 302 Mustang. FYI, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, designed the VW for Hitler and the 356 for himself. His son Ferry Porsche was more of the MBA-type leader of the company that took it to all of its fame, and who died this year. It was Ferry's son, Ferdinand "Butzi" Porsche, the grandson of the Dr., who designed the 911. Butzi went on to run his own group - the Porsche Design group that makes the watches, glasses, bikes, etc.

Jay