There are so many automotive rivalries: Ford v Ferrari, Honda v Toyota, Chevy v Ford, and the list goes on and on. But all of them actually have one thing in common, everyone seems to be getting a little older. That includes both Porsche (1948) and Corvette (1953) who are celebrating their respective 75th and 70th birthdays this year. GSM’s editor-in-chief, Don, is quick to remind folks about one of our earliest conversations, which was a debate over whether or not the 911 or the Corvette was “thee” everyman’s sports car.
Like two kittens batting at a ball of yarn we carried on a healthy debate for was what probably far too long. But unlike a debate about Porsche 959 vs Ferrari F40 where you can side with either the space-aged technical superiority of the 959 or the raw passion and exhilaration of a race car in street clothes that is the F40, settling on 911 v Corvette is really hard to do. And that’s where we have to step away from the road and take it to the track to settle the score. For an in-depth review of all the events and action at the Rolex Monterey Historics at WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway jump over to this follow-on article.
Taking this fight to the race track can get a little tricky. Porsche is renowned for its racing heritage, let’s face it, they’re an engineering company that starting building race cars before their production vehicles ever hit the road. Corvette on the other hand, and many might not know, was ALSO born at the race track. As Kip Zeiter from the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) recounts in this special Break/Fix episode, the original Corvette design by Harley J. Earl took it’s inspiration from the early US Grand Prix’s at Watkins Glen.
Speaking of the IMRRC, we could also take this to the record books – which they carefully maintain – citing who was the most wins here, and the most wins there. Motorsports history is definitely important in this discussion but you also have to take into account that racing in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s was very different than today. Not just from a technological standpoint but from a regulatory perspective, the “rules of racing” have changed. These days cars are more equal and homogenized compared to the golden age of sports car racing, where building not just a better but, the best, mouse trap was the name of the game.
You could also make the argument that “Porsche has had so many *different* models in competition…” but so has Corvette. Most of the racing Porsches are either derivatives of, evolutions from, or variations on a theme. But Corvette has also shown that it can compete in GT, Concept, and Prototype classes with their cars as Kip mentioned in his presentation.
It’s funny when you sit back and look at this entire argument from 19,000 feet, you begin to wonder if it’s really even a rivalry at all. It’s more like a little brother trying to keep up with its older sibling. Porsche is the kid that got everything, and Corvette though a little resentful, looks up to Porsche and wants to be Porsche. That’s what has made both brands better, but also kept them from creating some sort of facsimile of each other and abandoning hope for the adage “if you can’t beat them join them.”
This year also marked another huge birthday in the Motorsports community, which was the 100th Anniversary of the 24 hours of LeMans, where Corvette took home the win with US-based driver Ben Keating at the wheel, along with teammates Nico Varrone and Nicky Catsburg. In celebration let’s also take a moment to applaud Corvette for their tenacity, a very American trait that is exemplified in their cars. It’s that “stick-tuitive-ness” that pushed GM to finally put together a mid-engined Corvette (the C8), which was able to prove itself from day one, as not only a contender, but a winner. To learn more (or continue) the discussion surrounding the future of Corvette Racing be sure to check out the ACO (Automobile Club d’Ouest) and it’s new USA based offerings and facebook group.
WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway is held in highest regard as one of the “driving nirvana” tracks in the US and it was the perfect back drop to reignite the discussion around 911 v Corvette. Hearing and seeing these beautiful pieces of machinery in action, brought back great stories of the golden age of sports car racing, memories of drivers, along with the successes and failures that included a smattering of fact finding. All that aside, it also brought us together to experience the camaraderie that Motorsports brings to the car community. Surrounded by all the other events going on during Monterey Car Week, the Laguna Seca experience takes art, and puts in in motion.
So where does all this leave us? Almost exactly where we started. From aesthetics to driving style, the sound of engines to the vehicle’s amenities, either car can be, and is, the ultimate B-road bomber, the car show heart-stopper, or track day weapon. There is no wrong answer, just personal preferences. In the end, you can’t go wrong with either the 911 or the Corvette.
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We’d love to hear your thoughts on this never-ending debate, so leave a comment below and express your vote for your favorite of the two… or is there a third option out there? We’ll leave that up to you. Meanwhile, Happy Birthday to both Porsche & Corvette – celebrating milestones this year – Here’s to 70+ more!
