Some 20 years on it may seem strange, but Porsche was in a world of pain in the ‘90s. Sales were slow, money was tight, and the 924-944 series had been around for a very long time, eventually breathing its last via the relatively short-lived 968: a great car, but not enough different to be more than a stopgap. The factory had planted rumors of a new car, the 986, and promised a design resonating with the RS-60 Spyders. Another year went slowly by before we were finally summoned to the Detroit Auto Show in January of 1993.
The new Boxster (BOXer motor, roadSTER body) was introduced with great fanfare; after having sat mysteriously covered on Porsche’s stand at the show for a protracted period, the cloth cover was finally lifted by Porsche designer Harm Lagaay and CEO Wendelin Wiedeking to the champagne toast of PCNA boss Fred Schwab. Clearly it was a home run; the design was painted heavily with the Spyder brush, but with an imaginative and innovative modernity. The striking new integrated headlight modules, the heavily styled wheels, the high tech instrumentation, and the interior that was both sumptuous and sparse, played well against the Spyder cues: the through-the-hood gas filler, the single rear exhaust, the side air intakes, the low, cut down windshield and the racing silver paint job. Even the interior rear-view mirror spoke to the teardrop design of the early-days Wendler body works badge!
It was, of course, a prototype. There was no provision for a top, and the car had neither power nor running gear (it was sitting on two Carrera 2 front axles, with the one in the rear turned around backwards). But the goal had been announced, and Panorama said “there is no doubt that the Boxster is the progenitor of the type 986,” citing the numerical designation of the expected new car. I recall being dubious of the name, but hopeful that the real car, when it was produced, would look like the beautiful prototype.
Porsche’s follow-up, the original 986 Boxster, did remain remarkably true to the prototype show car. The requirements for safety and the economic constraints of production cars (as well as the need for a functional top!) brought about some obvious visual changes in the production car, but the feeling and emotion remained intact, and resulted in the quintessential sports car that we all know and love, with the extra unforeseen (by me, at least) benefit of unparalleled handling and road feel.
Still—look again at the prototype. Wouldn’t it be great fun to have a fully operational version of the show car, weighing, say, 1900 pounds and with perhaps 300 hp, a topless stripper that could give a three-day migraine to Boxster Spyders and look just different enough to make knowledgeable people crazy? What do you think? Would you buy one?
View Comments (5)
I love my early 986 as I think it is the closest design to the original prototype than any of the Boxster models, however, there are design elements of the prototype that are sadly lacking. Every time I see the prototype I ask why didn't Porsche build it like they showed it. Yes I would buy one without hesitation.
I'd love to ... car makers ought to go with the more daring real models in production that are shown off at shows rather than surrender to the fears of mediocre execs within the big car companies...
The front overhang of the original prototype was much shorter than on the production car - and as a result, the prototype's nose was much stubbier. In short (pun not intended), it was more evocative of a 356. I presume that it didn't carry over to the production car due to safety rules and regulations.
Yes, I would. Much better looking than any of the Boxters.
I was disappointed when the actual car came in. I loved the original Spyder and seeing that picture and even the boxster model I still have, looks better the the final production car. It's subtle lines and the longer back end were beautiful. I had put a down payment in 2005 and was 72 in line as I remember, but in the years waiting I bought a good freinds 74 Targa that we couldn't pass up and a 300ZX which my son now owns, and the 39,900 turned into quite a bit more with options like black paint, sport package etc. plus there was a big fed tax too. Plus i like all the newer changes they made to the car. But as the world turns we found a low mileage black 2006 Boxster last year and will be going to Parade with it this summer.