Porsche Reviews

THE book for any fan of the 911. Frere's engineering knowledge combined with his racing experience mixed with his close relationship with the Porsche Factory makes this book the reference for all things 911. Mr. Frere's writing style is easy to read while containing vast amounts of detail and content. If I had one criticism or suggestion, it would be to rewrite the book in one cohesive style. Since the book has gone through 6 editions, the information on the later cars has been patched onto the existing manuscript. A total rewrite would allow Mr. Frere to integrate every aspect of the 911 evolution. It would give the book a seamless flow and greater continuity. With the end of the air cooled cars, now is the time for that rewrite.

No living automotive author can match the elegance and technical depth of Paul Frere's writing. Accordingly, only Frere could produce such a book as this, dense with minute technical detail, yet balanced with a broad view of how Porsche designed, raced, and evolved the 911.

The look on Frere's face as he sits in his own Carrera (in the color photograph section of the book) says it all: the 911 is a singular automobile, and this is the author to tell its story.

Its simple. No one knows more about Porsche's that Frere. This book is incredible rich in detail and a great resource. Its not like the other books, which might look good on a coffee table but lack substance. This is THE book for Porsche. Make no mistake.

This is a great book for the beginner or someone, like myself, almost ready to buy his first 356. This book is helping me a lot as the writer used his own experience from ownership to explain every aspect of this adorable car. Mr. Schrager even tries to explain the feeling and joy of owning and driving the 356 in metaphysical ways as you can not explain, by the means of logic, why people get so deeply in love with this car. You can read from cover to cover, you can use as reference or you can just open the book randomly and you'll hooked. After two hours of reading, someone offers you either a brand new 911 carrera or a 356...chances are you'll choose the "old one".

I've owned 356s for years. Jim Schrager's book told me things that I needed to know and didn't before I read this. The book contains useful, real world information without the fluff of a coffee table book. This is a must read for all new and soon to be new 356 owners. Particularly useful were the nut and bolt nuggets that come from years of owning all models of 356s. The only other way to get this information is years of pain.

I recently purchased a '67 912, satisfying my mid-life crisis for a Porsche. I researched several books to get the information needed to make an intelligent buy. I wish there was a book like this one for the 912. If you are considering a 356, this is the source book for you. Valuable information is provided on spotting problem cars and tips on what to examine. I especially like the information on ... cars as I have spotted may of the same frauds. I am close to getting a 356 and have targeted two and want to use the information this book provided. Porsche freaks, get this book!

This book belongs in every Porsche owners library. It goes over things from the basic oil change to engine removal and teardown. There are full color and informative pictures thoughout the book to guide you. It even has a section on how to adjust your suspension height.

Just when you thought the factory manuals were the last word, along comes 101 Projects for Your Porsche 911. This book is divided up into many sections (Engine, Electrical, Transmission), and offers full-color photos of all the projects as they are completed step-by-step. It would seem impossible to jam all this information into one book, but this 245 page book has it all! From an overview of rebuilding the 911 engine, to the repair of 1st gear on your transmission, this book has it all. Each project is introduced with a table that has time and effort, as well as tools and materials used to complete the job. If you own a 911, this book is more important than your owner's manual. It also covers all years 1965-89, but is semi-applicable to the later-model cars as well...

Get your hands dirty with this book, just like the author suggests! This book is the best darn how-to I have ever had. Beautiful color pictures and step-by-step projects that look like they will work. If I could afford 2 copies, I would keep one in the garage, and the other with my porsche library. I really, really like the format and the notion of 101 projects. Some are easy enough for me to do, some just tough enough that I would consider and a few that should be left to experts, but certainly provide me with the right questions to ask if I hire someone to do the toughy jobs.

Every 924, 944 or 968 owner or enthusiast must have a copy of this excellent book by Peter Morgan. The book contains detailed information and superb photographs of all models in the series and is divided into logical chapters. The book is also an excellent reference containing details on VIN's, engine numbers and options.

An absoulte must buy for the 924/944 owner. the book clearly guides you thru all models from 1975 to 1995, including the Turbos. All photographs are in color and the details of each model year are discussed. The book also includes specs and import numbers. Almost all options for each year are listed, a big plus when checking out what came with your car.

I have been driving/racing/instructing in Porsches since 1983, and am on my 3rd 944 series automobile. I only wish this book had come out many years ago, as it contains many of the answers to both the 1st-time and repeat buyers' questions. Its explanations of the rarer "special editions" is extremely helpful in determining which model is best suited for a particular driving style. I feel proud to have actually owned one of the featured models.

Complete history of the Stuttgart marque from within the Porsche family - I bought this book and have read it many times - worth every penny... A must for Porsche fans...

I'm very like Porsche's cars design and history Porsche's family. Please, send me book "Cars Are My Life".

It is a great book, a must have for any 356 enthusiast. I also recommend it for the ones who doesn't know much but want to know more about 356's.

First published as a hard cover book in 1980, this paperback reprint of an old favorite is an absolute must-have for any 356 enthusiast. A first-rate journalist, Denis "Jenks" Jenkinson will be familiar to readers of Motor Sport, or Road & Track in the '60s and '70s. The book starts with a brief history of Porsche, then moves into the performance and racing history of the 356 models. Throughout, Jenks describes his adventures in his own 356, as well as his many drives in factory street and racing 356s. His stories are accompanied by many good black and white photos. Osprey has updated this version of the book with a color photo section that adds to the enjoyment. Great writing, good photos -- a bargain at the price.

Although I have and frequently peruse a number of books related to the Porsche 356, Maltby's offers factory photographs I have never seen before! Great photos, interesting and concise text. Anyone interested in the 356 would enjoy this book.

While scores of books on Porsche Type 356 and RS Spyders have now been written...this experienced author (Maltby) has teamed with a truly professional automotive photographer (Friedman) to capture the phenomenal Porsche 356's and RS Spyder's in racing action and detail. Many photographs have never appeared in any previously published materials. This book is guaranteed to take any Porsche 356 / 550 Spyder enthusiast back to the time when sportscar racing was "pure". The photographs reveal the kind of spirit these marvelous creations from Zuffenhausen produced in the early days of Porsche. Exceptional reading & photography!!

I build scale model cars and this book is a great reference tool. It covers all of Porsche's racing cars of the '60s leading toward the development of the 917 and recounts all the roadblocks and pitfalls along the way. People who are not saavy about the real world of large-stakes motorsport can be surprised to learn about how much rule-bending goes on. "Unfair advantages" are aggressiviely sought through research and experimentation. An interesting aspect of the 917 is much refinement and modification was needed to turn this complicated and dangerous car into a successful racer.

"Porsche 917: The Winning Formula" traces the history of the engineering and development of the Porsche 917, from its origins as a challenger to Ferrari through victory at LeMans and onto the later development of the all-conquering Can Am Porsche 917-30. Morgan uses interviews with those most closely tied to the project development and provides insights far beyond the typical photo-history and race history books. This is one of the best written, best researched and most enjoyable books of its type I have read in a long time. Highly recommended.

This is a good book, but far from a buyers giude. It tells all about VINs, colours of the cars interior and exterior vith some pictures,... But if you think this book will tell you somthing about some important weekneses of the cars, what to look out for when buying it, which cars to stay away from, you will need another book. But a good look into what's out there and a few facts about all the cars.

This has all the 911 production facts you need. If your buying or already own a 911 this book gets down to the little details. Serial numbers and every change throughout the years are explained. I was pleasantly suprised and you will be too.

The book says "Nothing says 'Porsche' more than an sleek outline of a classic 911". I say nothing says '911' more than this little "Red Book". There's enough quick and handy detail to impress your Porsche mechanic, local dealership and a couple of techs in Stuttgart. Memorize this and you'll be the talk of your local PCA chapter!

Porsche 911 Red Book 1965-1999" by Patrick C. Paternie could be called the "bible" of the 911 or at least one of them. If you are in the market for a 911 built in the first 35 years of production, I couldn't imagine making the hunt without this portable book, if detail means anything to you. It's simply that good! I kid you not, salesmen may be too intimidated to talk with you if you were armed with the complete knowledge of just one 911.

Keep in mind this book is for reference, meaning you know what features and details were available on 911's in any given year that the book covers. It's NOT a buying guide, in the sense of advising a prospective buyer what to buy or avoid. It's a tool giving you production facts. You still needs to research what car values are, how they rate and so on. If you're thinking this is all you need for buying a 911, think again.

"Red book" isn't simply limited to buying, in fact other uses could be car restoration for example, what an asset this book would be if you're a stickler for details! Selling parts would be another good reason for the book, since they're clearly catalogued or even pure research if you're a Porsche 911 junkie who can't get enough. Though the author understandibly downplays the book in a sense as not to incur any liability, the book truly is excellent with potentially many creative uses.

The intro gives good detail about VIN numbers and offers advice on where to obtain specific information on 911 models. Each chapter represent different years of 911 production and within each chapter, you find an impressive compilation of facts and stats in specific catagories or subjects. From chassis and engine serial numbers and numbers of how many were manufactured, to the Porsche serial numbering system for their models. How about color codes for production and special orders? Sure! it's in there and much, much more.

The appendix offers a great chart of 911 performance ratings throughout different production years and the bibliography makes reference to other excellent 911 resources. All in all, this is without question one of the best 911 books on the market, definitely worth it's weight in gold. The author is clear that not EVERY detail of 911's are in this book, but it is still very highly recommended!

This is probably one of the most complete books on the history of the Legendary marque of the Porsche. It has great information, however if you are the owner of a later model or are interested in the later years you will be disappointed.

If you need technical information about a pre-80's Porsche, this is the book for you.

Nothing else out there compares to its depth and range. There are pages and pages of line drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, and lots of photos that I've never seen anywhere else. Digest this, and you'll be an expert on the marque.

There are a couple of shallow spots. Professor Porsche's sometimes cozy relationship with the Nazis and his engineering work for them during World War Two is neatly sidestepped. Also, the coverage of the cars stops in the late '70's. If you have a newer Porsche, you'll be disappointed on what you can find out about your car.

Still, though, nobody's touched this book before or since on research and content.

Although this book is over 20 years old, no one has come close to matching the depth and accuracy of Ludvigsen's work. Sure, there are some factual errors in this 900+ page book, but that doesn't detract from its value or from the fun you will have reading it. The author has structured the chapters like they were stand-alone magazine articles - you can jump into any one and start reliving the excitement. Porsche fans - especially those new the marque - should go get a copy, find a nice chair in good light and begin to learn all about this great car company. If you love German cars, Ludvigsen has also written some great books on Mercedes.