Thursday 24th December 2015

'Porsche Sounds': Review

What's better than reading about old Porsches? Hearing old Porsches too!

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Remember Nick Mason's 'Into the Red' book? It detailed all the fantastic cars in Mason's garage, with his history of buying them supplemented by Mark Hales' impressions of driving them. From 250 GTO to BRM V16 to McLaren F1, it was an absorbing read.

Yes, that's eight RSRs going to Race of Champions

It was an interesting listen too, thanks to a CD that came with the book. Not perhaps one to impress new friends with, but perfect for indulging your car geek to the max.

'Porsche Sounds' runs along a very similar theme. It's the first official Porsche book with a CD of engine sounds. 30 engine sounds in fact, ranging from a 356 to a Panamera Turbo. The 917/30 Spyder is particularly worth a listen, as my neighbours will probably attest...

It also features a load of previously unseen pictures, thanks to collaboration with Porsche's historical archives. Eight 3.0 RSRs on a transporter? Got it. 928s on fuel consumption testing? Oh yes. A 911 Carrera RSR Turbo 2.1 on the Karussell is pretty special as well. There are so many glorious images that you will be entertained before reading a word. Because everyone looks at the pics first, right?

Reading it will make you smile too, because there will be new information that even the most ardent Porsche fan surely won't know. Yes, the translation from German sometimes doesn't read perfectly but the level of detail is just right. This is not an archive document but neither is it something just for coffee table decoration. Even if it does look really good there. Personal highlights covered by the book include Porsche's F1 engine building, the saga with VW around the 914 and how Porsche desperately had to save itself during the late 1980s. There is of course plenty more besides in the 252 pages, all covered in a logical and interesting fashion by author Dieter Landenberger.

If you don't love Martini already you soon will!

Downsides? Inevitably the modern stuff is a bit less interesting than the classic, particularly with generic press shots used as illustration, but then that's the excuse to spend more time poring over the 60s, 70s and 80s. Arguably too in a book called 'Porsche Sounds' it would have been good to have included the new turbo 911 Carreras. But then if they had waited no doubt the next review would have said to wait until the 718 Boxster and Cayman arrive...

Neither issue detracts from Porsche Sounds being an excellent book, a worthy addition to any motoring collection. At £35 it looks good value too, considering its quality and detail. Indeed, if you are lucky enough to receive it for Christmas then don't lend it out; it may well not come back! And if Father Christmas has bestowed a few more pounds on you this December, we can think of little better to spend it on. Well, apart some decent speakers to properly enjoy it.

Images: Dafydd Wood

 

[Dale487]

& you tell me about this on Christmas Eve! It would have been a great present for me instead of 12 copies of On That Bomb Shell (great book though).

[Matt Bird]

Apologies! We have been wanting to feature the book for a while and there just hasn't been the time, what with the pesky cars to talk about and that. Anything in future will be well ahead of the festive period!


Matt

[Dale487]

I'll just have to wait for my birthday

[TomEP]

Only £25 on that jungle sounding retailer