Why is it called the Porsche 911?
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This record covers
- Why Porsche chose the number 901
- Peugeot’s claim to middle-zero names
- How many cars were built as 901
- Why later Porsches still use 9-series numbers
Short answerThe Porsche 911 is called 911 because its original name, 901, clashed with Peugeot. Porsche picked 901 to fit Volkswagen’s unused 900 parts-number range. When the car went on sale in late 1964, Peugeot objected that in France it held the rights to car names of three digits with a zero in the middle. About 82 cars had been built as 901 when Porsche replaced the zero with a one.
- Original name
- Porsche 901documented
- Why 901
- VW 900 number rangedocumented
- Objection
- Peugeot, 1964documented
- Cars built as 901
- About 82documented
The 911 is the most famous number in the car world, and it began as an administrative accident. The name the car was designed under, shown under, and first built under was 901.
Why did Porsche call the car 901 in the first place?
Porsche called the car 901 because it wanted the new model’s part numbers to fit Volkswagen’s system. Porsche expected to cooperate with Volkswagen, and Volkswagen had not yet used the 900 range. Porsche took 901 for the six-cylinder car and 902 for a planned four-cylinder version, which became the 912.
The car was unveiled as the Porsche 901 at the Frankfurt IAA on 12 September 1963, using prototype chassis 13325. The full 901 prototype list shows the thirteen pre-production cars behind it.
Why did Peugeot object to the name 901?
Peugeot objected because it had used three-digit names with a zero in the middle since 1929, on cars such as the 201, 403 and 404, and held the right to that naming pattern in France. When Porsche presented the production car at the Paris Motor Show in October 1964, Peugeot asked it to stop using 901 in France.
Porsche could have used a different name in France alone. It chose one name for all markets and changed the middle digit from 0 to 1.
How many Porsche 901s were built?
About 82 cars were built as 901s between 14 September and 16 November 1964. They were used for testing, exhibitions and early press cars rather than sold as 901s to private customers. The 911 coupés completed in 1964 carry chassis numbers 300001 to 300235, explained in the first Porsche 911s.
Did the 901 name disappear completely?
No. Inside Porsche the type number stayed 901. Engines were typed 901/01 and later 901/05, and gearboxes carried 901 type numbers for years. That is why “901” parts appear on normal early 911s and 912s without being prototype parts. See the 901 transmission guide.
Why do other Porsches use 9-series numbers?
Other Porsches use 9-series numbers because the 901 established the pattern for Porsche’s own road-car types. The 911 Turbo was type 930, the 924 and 928 followed, and each 911 generation has its own 9-series type: 964, 993, 996, 997, 991 and 992. The complete system is on the Porsche type numbers page.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Porsche change the 901 to 911?
Porsche changed the 901 to 911 in 1964 because Peugeot claimed exclusive rights in France to car names made of three digits with a zero in the middle, as used on the Peugeot 201, 403 and 404.
What does 911 stand for?
911 does not stand for anything. It is Porsche’s internal type number 901 with the middle zero replaced by a one.
How many Porsche 901s were made?
About 82 cars were built with the 901 name between September and November 1964, before production continued under the 911 name.
Why do Porsche model codes start with 9?
The 901 set the pattern. Porsche kept 9-prefixed internal type numbers for the 911 and later cars, such as 930, 964, 993, 996 and 992.