The More You Know: Porsche & Tartan

 The More You Know: Porsche & Tartan 

Porsche has given the automotive world many gifts since the company’s founding. Ventilated disc brakes, the Targa bodystyle, the modern dual-clutch transmission, and the first series production turbocharged car. 

One however iconic, and recognizable gift, was the use of tartan patterned fabric in the Porsche RSR Turbo concept unveiled in Frankfurt circa 1973.

Now Porsche didn’t invent the Tartan pattern, that was the Scots. However the use of such a pattern with Porsche came from a pair of pants worn by at the time chief designer Anatole Lapine. No stranger to bold style choices, Lapine’s pants inspired the design team to integrate into the concept and left a lasting impression.

According to Porsche, Scottish mills couldn’t produce the tartan fabric in a durable manner. So leave it to the Germans to make it better and functional. It was Dorothea Müller-Goodwyn – Porsche stylist from 1970 to 1975 who found a local German manufacturer to create the material that was up to snuff.

The concept featured Black Watch tartan in a blue, green and black pattern. Not long after more were added to the fray. There was the McLaughlin/MacLachlan - a red and blue combination and the Mackenzi, shades of beige, red, blue, white and olive green. 

For the 50th celebration of the Turbo, Porsche has featured the tartan once again on the option sheet for the 911 Turbo.