Celebrating 75 years of Porsche at the 2023 Festival of Speed

14th July 2023

Simon Ostler

One of the major themes at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the celebration of Porsche’s 75^th anniversary. In three quarters of a decade this great German brand has been instrumental in forging the history of both road and racing cars. From the very earliest days of the original Porsche, the 356, to the present day where Porsche is once again competing at the highest level of sportscar racing with the 963.

So, beneath this year’s Central Feature, showcasing six of the most significant Porsche cars past and present, we were treated to a moment in front of the Goodwood House that brought together a great deal more of some of the most legendary road and racing cars ever built.

For that is the legacy of Porsche, a brand that has helped to shape the history of motoring. From the very earliest days of the 356, a car that still to this day informs the style of its descendants, to the most recent Mission X, a concept that has made its public debut here at the Festival of Speed.

Festival of Speed 2023: Porsche by Numbers

06th July 2023

In motorsport, Porsche is the most successful manufacturer in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours. It’s taken 19 victories in all, with the 917, 936, 935, 956, 962, WSC-95, 911 GT1-98 and 919 Hybrid. Lesser known is its time in Formula 1 during the late 1950s and early ‘60s, during which time Dan Gurney won the 1962 French Grand Prix in the 804.

Perhaps rising above all of the motorsport achievements, however, is one of the most acclaimed sportscars of all time, the Porsche 911. From its original introduction in 1964 to the present day 992, it’s a car that has maintained a reputation as the ultimate sportscar.

This weekend at the Festival of Speed, you will be able to revel in the history of this great marque, as many of Porsche’s most successful, influential and memorable road and racing cars will be gathering in front of the house each day, with a list of drivers including Tom Kristensen, Nick Tandy, Sarah Bovey, Klaus Ludwig and Timo Bernhard.