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Guest blog – Synthetic evolution

Here’s a guest blog from up and coming writer John Slavin:

Evolution. The natural, organic process of something changing for the better very gradually. With evolution, unneeded things are lost, important things are retained, and new mutations might occur. But only the very best components will pass the test of time.

Car fans like a new model. We like to see changes and improvements, indeed we often enjoy radical, bold leaps in design. So it’s easy to see why the 911 gets a bad rap from time to time. It’s gone without a massive overhaul since it’s inception. Every step forward has been gradual, but important.

Go back to the start; to the first 911 – or even as far back as the 356 – right up to the present 997. You’ll see that the 911 doesn’t need to change radically, because it’s a case of evolution. Lose the weaknesses, and build on the strengths. The shape has changed for better aerodynamics, and to comply with legislation, but it’s always stayed recognisable. The flat six has gotten bigger, and it’s cooling has been changed, but it’s still got the same thrum, and it’s in the same place.

As a matter of fact, Porsche could very easily change the 911 completely, and make it something utterly different. But they’ve kept the layout, the styling, and the simplicity. In many ways, that’s a greater challenge.

Perhaps that’s why fans like the 911 so much. In any model, you can see the past, the present and the future. It’s a beautiful car on the most superficial of levels, but look a little deeper and the beauty continues, right down to its heart, which has been beating the same beat since 1964.21200~2-litre_911~1964-196426900.1

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