“Race on Sunday, drive on Monday”

“Why is it that you can recognize a Porsche at a glance?”

Japanese cars are often said to be hard to identify by manufacturer once the emblem is removed(though some are recognizable). In contrast, whether old or new, SUV or sports car, you can instantly tell it’s a Porsche.

Why is that? While pondering this, I recently came across this page(Porsche – Everyday Usability). It said:

“Race on Sunday, drive on Monday” was the motto of many Porsche 356 drivers in the 1950s.

I’m not fluent in English, but I think it means something like “It’s important that one Porsche can be enjoyed both on the racetrack and in everyday driving.” This has been a guiding philosophy passed down since Porsche’s inception. Even now, when you purchase a Porsche, the “Porsche Principle” sent to owners states:

There is no other sports car that lets you go shopping right after racing at the Nürburgring. Even if the number of passengers varies, Porsche creates just one thing: a sports car to enjoy every day.

This unchanging spirit might be the key reason why you can recognize a Porsche at a glance.

Porsche from an Expert’s Perspective

Recently, I interviewed President Nakagawa of Nakabayashi Kogyo, a custom car body cover specialist often featured on “Minkara” and other automotive media. He was very kind and shared a lot, which I’ll publish later. What struck me was what he said about Porsche:

I’ve measured body covers for many manufacturers, but measuring a Porsche’s body cover is very easy. That’s because Porsche’s design is refined, simple, and natural. That streamlined shape isn’t just for looks; it’s the result of pursuing aerodynamics and functionality, making it instantly recognizable as a Porsche to anyone. Other manufacturers often have awkward designs that make measuring difficult, but Porsche is very well done in that regard.

Humble Elegance

The first Porsche, the 356, born 70 years ago, featured a design emphasizing aerodynamic concepts, ultra-lightweight construction, and practical characteristics. Even after 70 years, the essence of Porsche design remains unchanged, as introduced on the official Porsche Japan website:

Why have Porsche sports cars become design icons? Is it because they are beautiful? Because people find them “captivating”? Of course. But the true reason lies in the perfect harmony between design and function.

The flowing roofline, the front fenders arching higher than the hood, and the powerful rear fenders—these features common to all Porsche models have been subtly adapted over 60 years to suit the times and each model’s personality.
*Source: Porsche Japan Official Site “Porsche Design”

“Tradition and innovation. High performance and practicality. Design and functionality. Exclusivity and social responsibility—Porsche’s essence is balancing these opposing elements.” I once read this in an article. Porsche’s commitment to this balance over 70 years is truly impressive.