Ferdinand Porsche Dies at 76
Sports car designer Ferdinand Porsche has died Thursday in Salzburg, Austria at age 76.
No cause of death was provided for the car aficionado, Porsche AG said.
Known as F. A. to his colleagues, Porsche designed the classic 911 sports car, which defines the brand even today. He was head of the Porsche design studio in the early 1960s, and the company CEO Matthias Mueller released a statement following the designer's death.
"The creator of the Porsche 911 has founded a culture of design in our company that distinguishes our sports cars even today," said Mueller, reported the Associated Press.
Porsche comes from a long line of carmakers under the luxury brand. His father, Ferry, was formerly Porsche Chairman, while Porsche's grandfather and namesake, Ferdinand, founded the company in the 1930s.
After designing the 911, a less-cramped replacement of the company's first model Porsche, the designer left the operational side and founded the Porsche Design Studio. There, he created eyeglasses, watches, and pens.
In 1990, Porsche took the position as chairman of the company and helped steer the family business through a low sales period. The designer was able to rise above global competition.
He was responsible for hiring a new CEO of the company, Wendelin Wiedeking, who is said to have turned the car company around.
Porsche's grandfather, Ferdinand, is credited to have created the first hybrid vehicle, the Volkswagen Beetle and the Mercedes-Benz SS/SSK, which used both gasoline and electricity.
Additionally, the automotive engineer designed the first of many Porsche automobiles. Porsche died in 1951 at age 75. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1996, and posthumously won the award of Car Engineer of the Century.
His grandson is being mourned on Twitter Thursday as the news of his death spreads.
"Saddened to hear creator of the iconic @Porsche 911, Ferdinand Porsche, has passed away," wrote ALMS Racing on their account.
Twitter user Glenn expressed his grief but noted the proper pronunciation of the designer's name.
"Ferdinand Porsche dies. Very sad," wrote Glenn. "In his honor, let's all agree to say 'Porsh-Ah,' not 'Porsh.'"
Porsche wished to be buried in a private ceremony at Schuettgut, the Porsche family's estate in Zell am See, Austria, according to AP.
