Porsche builds one millionth 911

On 11 May, Porsche celebrated just such an achievement when the one-millionth 911 rolled off the production line at Zuffenhausen.

The milestone vehicle – a 911 Carrera S – was finished in a one-off ‘Irish Green’ exterior inspired by Ferry Porsche’s personal example from 1963 - one of the very first 911s built . This colour remained exclusive to Ferry’s car until it joined the factory paint catalogue for the 1965 model year.

Refined by Porsche Exclusive, the arm of the German carmaker that’s devoted to limited editions and short-run projects, other features unique to the one-millionth 911 include specially-labelled wheels, black brake calipers, gold Porsche script badging, a 1964-style bonnet badge and Galvano Silver finish to the mirrors, door handles and air intake grille.

A “1,000,000” badge also graces the exterior and is repeated inside, where the Porsche Exclusive treatment includes leather seats with ‘pepita’ pattern centres like that found on the original 911, as well as green-lit instruments with silver surrounds and “1,000,000 911” on the faces.

A handmade mahogany steering wheel features a 1964 Porsche crest in the boss, with the same timber used to accent the switch panel.

Mechanically, the milestone 911 is stock Carrera S spec, which means a 331kW 3.0-litre turbocharged flat six fitted with the performance kit, but the millionth car features a 7-speed manual instead of the usual PDK transmission. This combination delivers a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 312km/h.

Dr Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Porsche AG, has been a part of the development of the 911 since day one: “54 years ago, I was able to take my first trips over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road with my father. The feeling of being in a 911 is just as enjoyable now as it was then.”

Last year, Porsche sold more than 32,000 911s worldwide and claim that of the million examples built to date, more than 70 per cent are still in drivable condition.

Porsche will send the milestone car on a “world tour”, taking in Europe, Asia and North America, before returning to Germany where it will be housed in the Porsche museum.