Category: Porsche Blog

beetle.jpg

THE NEW BEETLE

In the wake of Porsche raising $7.1 billion to complete its merger with Volkswagen AG, the “new” sporty VW Beetle has just been announced.

This car has one of the most recognizable shapes in the world. Between 1938 and 2003 the original “Bug” sold nearly 5 million copies in the U.S. alone, with over 22 million built. It was developed by Ferdinand Porsche as the Type 1 Volkswagen – which literally means “people’s car.” The second-generation Beetle was designed by J. Mays and R Gruppe co-founder Freeman Thomas at the company’s California design studio. Since 1997 this very rounded design has become a popular choice for city-dwelling females. Continue reading “”

TARGA FLORIO 1973

So were the early 1970’s really cooler than today?
Watch this vintage video, then you decide.

Targa Florio is a Documentary TV Movie on the 1973 race made in Italy in 2005. Director: Cuiri Amelio Ortiz. Cast: Francesco Arezzo, Antonio Catanzaro, Vic Elford, Mauro Forghieri, Giacinto Gargano, Ciccio Liberto, Sandro Munari, Silvana Paladino, Salvatore Requirez, Pao… Continue reading “”

DRIVING – MORE POWER OVERSTEER

By popular demand… Fellow Excellence writer Chris Harris explains how to achieve a power oversteer drift in a rear-wheel-drive front-engine BMW M5.

With its lighter front end, the rear-engined Porsche 911 will require some weight transfer under braking on entry to initiate the drift (see previous video). You will also need to apply different throttle as more rear traction is available. Otherwise it’s very similar. Enjoy!

Continue reading “”

randy_wells-001295.jpg

EXCELLENCE RSR

The May 2011 issue of Excellence: The Magazine About Porsche is hitting the newsstands now. It features an article of mine titled “The Forgotten One,” which covers a 911 tribute car built by Sam Gassel.

Congratulations to Sam on his amazing recreation of the #6 Penske Sunoco Porsche Carrera RSR. He is one of those guys who makes my job a dream, and he’s deserving of every accolade for a job well done. I wish everyone could see this car in the flesh. It is mind-boggling good. Thanks also to Excellence for continuing to publish my photos and writings on these homages to historic 911s. Continue reading “”

randy_wells-0179.jpg

PORSCHE RENNSPORT REUNION IV

Just back from two weeks on the road – photographing, writing, and playing with cars in LA. Thanks to my good friend Curtis Autenrieth for his generous hospitality and camaraderie. It was great to see all my other Porsche buddies as well.

There is an event coming up that any Porsche enthusiast will not want to miss. Continue reading “”

FASTER

George Harrison was born in Liverpool, England on this day in 1943 and passed away nearly ten years ago. His late ’70’s music video titled “Faster” was dedicated to the memory of Formula One racing driver Ronnie Peterson and includes a cameo appearance by British F1 champion Jackie Stewart.

Inspirational and reflective, George had a deep interest in travel, photography, film making, motorsports, and of course music. As The Beatles lead guitarist, his riffs and songwriting are legendary. He owned a vintage Porsche 911, Mini Cooper, Dino 246, Aston Martin DB5 and was one of the first to purchase a McLaren F1 road car. He was also an avid gardener and introduced many to Eastern thought and music. Continue reading “”

NüRBURGRING NORDSCHLEIFE

Here’s the best instructional video I’ve seen on how to drive the Nürburgring’s north loop or Nordschleife. Watch how Porsche works driver Sascha Maassen gives a guided tour for one lap around this legendary track.

Chasing a gaggle of a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Cars in his own matching race car, Sascha provides insightful commentary and shows how “The Green Hell” got its name. With 73 corners undulating over nearly 13 miles, it’s easy to see why this is considered the toughest, most dangerous and demanding circuit in the world.

Located between Cologne and Frankfurt, the Nordschleife is accessible to the public as a one-way toll road. There are no intersections and there’s no general speed limit. I drove it in an Audi rental car, and even that was an unforgettable experience.

Continue reading “”

FERRY PORSCHE

Ferdinand (“Ferry”) Anton Ernst Porsche was the only son of the founder of Porsche motorcars, Ferdinand Porsche, who passed away 50 years ago this month. Ferry’s son, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (nicknamed “Butzi”), is the designer of the first Porsche 911 and celebrated his 75th birthday last month…

Ferry Porsche was philosophical when expressing his vision of the Porsche sports car. As seen in this video, he was eloquent but fiercely independent. It’s interesting to compare his views with the present day world and Porsche’s part in it. Ferry died in March of 1998. I hope you enjoy this ten minute video compilation of his ideas and legacy (deleted by owner). Continue reading “”

werk_crew_cover.jpg

WERK
CREW

Recently I was asked to contribute a chapter to a limited edition “art-house” book celebrating early Porsche air-cooled culture. It will be independently published without compromises and is to be titled WERK CREW : DEPARTURE.

The author/editor/designer/publisher is one Bob Tilton, a very gifted artist who has spent the last year preparing materials from a bevy of talented writers, photographers, and craftsmen. Bob notes, “They share one thing in common: they are all early Porsche owners and true enthusiasts.” As Thanksgiving approaches, I extend my profound thanks to Bob for devoting so much time and thought to this very personal project. It’s going to be a killer book, and his blog site reflects the care Bob brings to everything he does: Continue reading “”

Randy Wells of Wells Imagery is a premier automotive media brand. His award-winning car photography and films have been voted among the top 5 best in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, USA

PORTFOLIO

Known for his integrity and talented vision, Randy Wells has the good fortune to photograph, film, and write about cars and transportation for the best manufacturers, advertising agencies, collectors, auction houses, and magazines full-time.

From automotive drone work, to covering one-of-a-kind events, to excelling in the studio, to capturing off-road race action, he has done it all.

Always pushing the envelope, he has won numerous awards and been voted one of the best automotive photographers in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, and beyond. His award-winning work has appeared more than 20,000 times worldwide, including magazines like National Geographic. All his work is personally handcrafted. See the link above for more of his images available for prints and licensing.

BOOK NOW