The introduction of the Porsche Boxster in 1996 marked the continuation of his vision of a mid-engined roadster, and he never doubted the future of his sports car philosophy: "The last car ever built will be a sports car."The death of Ferry Porsche on 27 March 1998 also marked the end of another era, with the last air-cooled 911 coming off the production line in the same year.
Curriculum Vitae Ferdinand (Ferry) Anton Ernst Porsche
1909
Born in Wiener Neustadt (Austria), on 19 September as Ferdinand Anton Ernst Porsche, commonly called "Ferry". Went to school in Wiener Neustadt and Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt. Completed his technical training with Bosch in Stuttgart and at Steyr-Werke in Austria.
1931
Started working as a constructor and engineer in the Engineering Office of Dr. Ing. h.c. Ferdinand Porsche GmbH established by his father Ferdinand in Stuttgart.
1932
Assumed additional responsibility for Test Supervision and Coordination, participated in the construction and development of the Auto Union Grand Prix racing car.
1934
Appointed Head of Test Driving in charge of the Volkswagen prototypes.
1935
Married Dorothea Reitz (died in 1985) from Stuttgart. Four sons.
1938
Director of the Porsche Test Department. Construction Office moving to Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen in the same year.
1940
Deputy Director of the overall company.
1945
Director of Porsche GmbH moved on account of the war to Gmnd in the province of Carinthia, Austria.
1946
Ferry Porsche assumes overall responsibility for the company in June.
1948
Completion of Porsche 356 No 1, a 35-bhp mid-engined sports car, in June.
1949
Following production of the first 52 units of Type 356 in Gmnd, returns together with most of the workforce to Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Re-establishment of the Development Office under the management of Ferry Porsche and preparations for standard production.
1950
Start of standard production of Porsche Type 356 in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
1959
Received the Supreme Honour Award of the Federal Republic of Germany from Professor Theodor Heuss, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany.
1965
Awarded the title "Dr. techn. E.h." by Vienna Technical University.
1972
Appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, the new joint-stock company.
1975
Received the Supreme Golden Award of Honour of the Republic of Austria in Vienna.
1978
Received the Wilhelm Exner Medal.
1979
Received the Star on the Supreme Cross of Honour of the Federal Republic of Germany on the occasion of his 70th birthday from the Prime Minister of the State of Baden-Wrttemberg, Lothar Spth.
1981
Received the Gold Medal of the Socit des Ingeniurs de l' Automobile. Appointed Honorary Citizen of the town of Zell am See, Austria.
1984
Received the title "Professor" from Prime Minister Lothar Spth.
1985
Received the title "Senator E.h.", from Stuttgart University.
1989
Received the Business Medal for Outstanding Achievements in the Economy of Baden-Wrttemberg on 19 September from the Minister of Economic Affairs of the State of Baden-Wrttemberg, Martin Herzog.
Received the Citizen's Medal of the City of Stuttgart on the occasion of his 80th birthday in recognition of his great contribution to the economic development of the State Capital of Stuttgart.
1990
Appointed Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart.
1993
Appointed Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board without a mandate.
1994
Appointed Honorary Citizen of the town of Wiener Neustadt on 21 September in recognition of his particular contributions to the Austrian and Lower Austrian economy, above all for his contributions and services to the town of Wiener Neustadt itself.
1998
Ferry Porsche dies in Zell am See on 27 March.