Produced for introduction of 964 Carrera 4; also covers history of Porsche all wheel drive vehicles, starting with the Lohner-Porsche, Kubelwagen, Schwimwagen, Cistitalia Typ 350 formula 1 and Jagdwagen.

FROM MY REVIEWS IN THE EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE:

    Almost paralleling the experience of Tribute to Turbo and Project 928, Porsche has followed the limited series Porsche 959 with Carrera 4 -- Porsche Allrad 1900-1990, a book which is essentially identical in plan to the 959 book but which is aimed at a larger audience.  Though not significantly smaller, it is cheaper.  There must be a lesson to be gained in all this.  The 959 book started at $200.00, went to $250.00 and then skyrocketed.  The carrera 4 book lists for about $70.00 and hasn’t sold all that well.  The Carrera 4 lists for $70,000. . .  Out of about 150 pages the first 50 are a reasonable history of all wheel driver.  All wheel drive because F. Porsche designed the “Landwehr train” and the “C-Zug” before and during World War I, consisting of a power unit with generator providing electricity to trailers with electric motors in the wheel hubs.  This invention, in turn, stemmed directly from the Lohner-Porsche two-wheel and four-wheel “mixte” drive automobiles.  Also described are the four-wheel drive VW Kubelwagen derivatives of the Second World War, the Cistialia and the type 597 Jagdwagen.  A very nice history indeed.  The following developmental history thoughtfully explores the similarities and differences between the 959 and the 964 Carrera 4.  color and reproduction are of the usual highest Porsche Standard.  Watching the development of the Carrera 4 from the 911 is intriguing.  Those of you who cannot with without a cabriolet will be please to see a hardtop cabriolet undergoing winter testing.  If previous track records are anything to go by, there is not great hurry to buy this book.  It is worth buying for itself and worth buying before it becomes unavailable.

return to 356 books