Porsche Design marks golden milestone

The old meets the new for Porsche Design's 50th anniversary. PHOTO FROM PORSCHE

Porsche Design products are some of the most luxurious automotive-inspired goods you can buy. Established in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the grandson of founder Ferdinand Porsche, the brand has been designing premium timepieces, footwear and clothes, even coming out with a Porsche Design smartphone.

To mark its golden jubilee, its parent company Porsche AG is releasing two models exclusively for the occasion. A special-edition Porsche 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design and a fully restored 1972 Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa.

The 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design is based on the classic 911 Targa 4 GTS. It comes in two colors: black or jet black metallic, accented by platinum shades that mimic the chrome brightwork of older vehicles.

You can have it in any color, as long as it is black. PHOTOS FROM PORSCHE

There is a Porsche Design graphic found on the sides of the car and a prominent Porsche Design 50th Anniversary Edition badge on the rear grille. It also has the same wheels as a 911 Turbo S.

Yes, those wheels do look familiar. PHOTO FROM PORSCHE

The cabin is upholstered in black leather with slate gray accents and has adaptive sports seats featuring a checkered pattern in the middle. Its sport chrono clock on the dashboard is reminiscent of the 1972 Chronograph I.

Embossed on the headrests and aluminum door sills are Porsche Design 50th Anniversary logos. There is also a silver 911 badge with the corresponding limited-edition number and F. A. Porsche’s signature on the center console armrest.

The cabin comes with a retro feel that we dig. PHOTOS FROM PORSCHE

There will be 750 examples produced and lucky owners will have the opportunity to purchase a 50th Anniversary Edition Chronograph 1 featuring their car’s edition number. This vehicle is now available for purchase worldwide arriving in European dealerships starting April.

A special version of Porsche Design's Chronograph I will feature the edition number of its respective car. PHOTO FROM PORSCHE

Looking like it came straight out of the factory in 1972. PHOTO FROM PORSCHE

The one-of-a-kind 911 S 2.4 Targa was a concerted work of restoration involving the efforts of Porsche Classic. With the help of the Sonderwunsch (special wishes) program, designers were able to restore it faithfully to as close as factory specifications. It has a black finish with platinum accents and, just like the limited-edition 911 Edition 50Y, it also features a Porsche Design 50th Anniversary badge on the rear grille, with a reproduction of the founder’s signature.

Much work was put in to make sure this 50-year-old beaut would be restored to its original glory. PHOTO FROM PORSCHE

A special exhibition commemorating Porsche Design’s history will run at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart until July. Both the 911 S 2.4 Targa and the 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design Visitors will be on display along with F. A. Porsche’s personal 993 Speedster and 904.