The story of the limited edition 911 models that celebrate iconic Porsche decades
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The new 911 Spirit 70 model is the third of four planned special 911 models in the limited Porsche Heritage Design series. Find out about the Icons of Cool released so far, each of which celebrate a Porsche decade
In a very short space of time, the Heritage Design strategy – a unique series of limited-edition models from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur – has created a huge buzz with its ability to reinterpret iconic 911 models from the 1950s to 1980s, revive classic design features from those decades and then present them in contemporary form. As the 911 Spirit 70 – the third of a planned four cars in the series – is revealed, we dive in to find out exactly what is Porsche Heritage Design, how it came about and explain how this memorable series of limited-edition Porsche 911 sportscars is helping bringing history to life.What is Porsche Heritage Design? An ever-evolving, vibrant celebration of the brand’s history and its design and engineering expertise, Porsche Heritage Design cars are created in stunning detail by the team at Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. Handcrafted in Stuttgart, each Heritage Design car is a collector’s item with exceptional rarity value.Each Porsche Heritage Design model pays tribute to a specific era. Reviving colours, textures and design cues from the history books, it helps bring them back to life and up to date Photo: PorscheThe programme is defined by a clear philosophy – each Heritage Design model must tell a story. A story shaped by the colours, materials and spirit of a particular era, whether it’s the refined charm of the 1950s to the swagger and confidence of the 1980s. But Porsche Heritage Design models are far from being mere retro recreations. “From the very outset, we decided that we never wanted to be simply ‘retro’ in all Heritage Design themes,” explains Boris Apenbrink, Director of Exclusive Manufaktur Limited Series & Options. “Our aim is to carry the strengths that have made us strong as a brand in the past into the future in a credible and newly interpreted way.”Working closely with the Style Porsche department, the Exclusive Manufaktur team ensures that each design is coherent, modern and unmistakably Porsche. From the paintwork to the seat stitching, every detail is intentional. “We always look at the overall concept,” says Volker Müller, Head of Colour & Trim at Style Porsche. It’s this attention to detail that gives each model in the Icons of Cool series its emotional impact. “With our Icons of Cool, we want to make eyes light up, awaken positive associations with times gone by, and simply bring great joy to our customers,” says Boris.The Heritage Design journey officially began in 2019 with the first Heritage Design Package for the 911 Speedster, which tested the waters for a full series. In 2020, the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition was revealed, an homage to the optimism, charm and refined flair of the 1950s Photo: Porsche“The limited-edition collector’s cars are particularly sought after by our customers around the world,” says Alexander Fabig, Vice President Individualisation and Classic. “The first two models of the Heritage Design strategy brought back the lifestyle of past decades and generated great enthusiasm. We are delighted with their success and proud to present the third highly-exclusive model.”These models are manifestations of Porsche design at its most nostalgic and personal, creating a seamless link between past and present, timeless cool and state-of-the-art performance. A high-revving expression of emotion, individuality and – above all – the sheer joy of driving. There are four exclusive models planned for the Porsche Heritage Design series – one for each decade from 1950 to 1980 – with three now delivered with the reveal of the 911 Spirit 70. Alongside these collector cars, Porsche has also offered Heritage Design Packages on other models, including the 911 Speedster, the 911 S/T and the 911 Turbo 50 Years edition. Porsche Heritage Design: the models so farThe Porsche Heritage Design series is a rolling tribute to some of the most exciting decades at Porsche, with each model capturing the spirit of a different era. From corduroy seat inserts to gold lettering, every element tells a story. Here are the details of the first three chapters written so far in this special four-part series from Porsche.2020 • 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design EditionThis is where it all began. Limited to 992 units (a nod to the 911 model generation that is used as its base), the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition celebrated the optimism and elegance of the 1950s, complete with a distinctive livery that harks back to the early days of Porsche motorsport.When it went on limited sale in 2020, the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition elegantly represented the chic design of the 1950s and Porsche motorsport heritage of the era Photo: PorscheWith its Cherry Metallic paint, gold badging and standout white, spear-shaped graphics on the front wings – another nod to early Porsche racecars – it’s a car that caught the eye from the outset. As would quickly become a highlight of every model in the series, there are unique features wherever you turn. One example here is the Porsche Heritage badge on the rear grille vent, inspired by the one that used to be supplied to Porsche 356 owners when their cars reached the 100,000 km milestone.From seat patterns to paint, every detail of a Porsche Heritage Design car is carefully curated to honour the brand’s legacy while always looking ahead Photo: PorscheInside, it was an automotive homage done just right. The two-tone leather upholstery was available in Black or Bordeaux Red, both paired with OLEA Club leather in Atacama Beige. A real showstopper was the corduroy on the seats and door panels – a direct reference to the legendary Porsche 356 and a material that hadn’t appeared in a 911 for several decades until this point.2022 • 911 Sport ClassicIf the Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition was refined nostalgia, the 911 Sport Classic was full-throttle swagger. With only 1,250 units built, it was a car that channelled the raw, rebellious vibe of the late 1960s and early 1970s when it appeared in 2022. Inspired by the very first 911 and the iconic 1972 911 Carrera RS 2.7, it revived many memorable Porsche design cues, starting with the legendary ducktail rear spoiler.Every Porsche Heritage Design car – just like every other Porsche – starts with a sketch Photo: PorscheThe exclusive launch colour of the 911 Sport Classic was Sport Grey Metallic. On the exterior, twin light sports grey racing stripes ran from the bonnet, through the roof to the rear ducktail, while inside the Pepita pattern on the seats and door panels added a heritage flair, balanced by two-tone, semi-aniline leather in Black and Classic Cognac. Meanwhile, a Paldao wood trim package provided a warm, textured contrast to the interior trim. “Paldao has a certain coolness to it,” said Boris Apenbrink at the time of the car’s reveal. “Customers see the interior and say, ‘Okay, now I’ll seriously consider speccing a 911 with a wood interior’.”The experts on the Exclusive Manufaktur team aim to create cars that not only celebrate the spirit of decades past but are an entirely modern addition on today’s roads Photo: PorscheThe powertrain was equally distinctive: a 3.7-litre twin-turbo flat-six delivering 550 hp to the rear wheels, and only available with a seven-speed manual gearbox. At the time of its unveiling in 2022, it was the most powerful manual 911 that Porsche had ever produced.From its legendary ducktail to historic racing stripes, the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic was a work of art – from front to rear to the inside – from the Heritage Design team Photo: Porsche2025 • 911 Spirit 70 With the 1950s and 1960s in the book, the latest Heritage Design model (as of April 2025) looks to the disco era – the 1970s. At its heart, the 911 Spirit 70 is the epitome of a modern high-performance sportscar, being based on the latest generation of the 911 Carrera GTS.The Porsche 911 Spirit 70 is inspired by the disco era while shining a light on the talent and expertise of the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur programme Photo: PorscheHowever, you also don’t have to look too far to find inspiration from an era several decades before. The 911 Spirit 70 is imbibed with the positivity and vitality of the disco age. A sportscar that captures the rebellious flair of the period and recreates it for a modern audience. Among its many highlights is its vibrant Olive Neo paint, striking ‘safety stripes’ on the bonnet – three tone-on-tone contrast stripes in satin black – and a thrilling revival of Pasha material pattern on the interior. The hypnotic chequerboard pattern that characterises Pasha – designed by the team lead by the then head of design Anatole ‘Tony’ Lapine and designer Vlasta Hatter and first seen in the Porsche 928 when it debuted in 1977 – appears in the seat centres, door panels, glovebox and optional dashboard trim of the 911 Spirit 70. Available in two colour combinations, Pasha Black/Olive Neo or Black/Darksilver, it instantly transports you to a time when the slinky sounds of Chic and Sylvester – whose hit song You Make Me Feel was re-recorded for the 911 Spirit 70 campaign – dominated the airwaves.
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