This is as fancy a factory sales publication as anyone produced in the early 1970's. Neither Rolls Royce nor Ferrari literature of the same period were quite this elaborate, had as many pages or color photos, or were this large. Then again, Porsche was on a roll with race wins galore and exploding sales worldwide. Even so, the dealers were careful with their advertising material expenses. The picture above is the front cover (which, as you will see later, is continued on the back cover). Sorry for the old eBay "watermark" on the pics, but it would take hours to redo all the photos, and I can't find the unwatermarked originals. This same item was offered on eBay many years ago. I had more than one, so I can offer this one for sale now.
Distribution of this English language publication was consequently limited due most likely to the printing costs. Dealers rarely put this piece out on the literature racks for collectors and kids to grab, as there was a smaller and far cheaper four-page (folded and stapled) color brochure on less expensive stock with no special cover that could be given away in volume at a fraction of the expense. However, if you were a serious or repeat customer, then you would be given one of these fancy versions to help cinch the deal. This is how the Porsche-Audi Dealer I worked for handled these since, like all U.S. dealers, they had to buy their factory promotional literature.
Printing is on heavy glossy stock, with very heavy gloss stock covers. The printing quality, and the photography, are all first class. Some of these pictures, including the green Porsche on a green lawn with green trees, are true classics well known to Porschephiles. In fact, that same photo was printed by the factory as a postcard for mailing to past customers as a sales lead generator (see it below) and appeared in print ads.
The overall book measures 14 inches by 10 inches, which means many of the photos open to a 28 inch wide spread. There are over 24 pages of full color pictures, most full page or two page. These are pictures that are very suitable for framing, but my own opinion is that it would be a shame to cut this original book apart.
These auction photos are just a sample of what is inside. The book also came with an insert (see picture above) that covers factory specifications for all cars. The spec insert opens out to measure 37 inches by 9 inches, and includes mechanical and chassis specs, car diagrams with measurements, torque and horsepower curves, and a wealth of information.
Everything here was published in Germany -- this was NOT a product put together by P/A-USA. It is suitable for coffee table display. Certainly, for anyone who is either a serious fan of these cars, or particularly for anyone who owns one from this period, this is a must have. These pieces have been stored on a shelf away from sunlight and drafts in a humidity-controlled environment since new. The next picture is that "famous" green Porsche lawn shot.
This piece is in mint condition - no rough edges, no tears, no stains, no stray pen or pencil marks, no dogears, no damage period. When I got a few of these, I stored them away neatly specifically because I recognized the limited distribution, and knew that one day someone else would recognize it as a must-have to go with their Porsche literature collection or their car. This is now your chance to have one. I have sold this previously on eBay, and the feedback was very positive. The photos you see here were taken by me, so you can see the condition and quality are superb.
Given that it is Porsche, that it is now some 40+ years old, the mint condition (which was not easy due to the large size), the vulnerability of materials such as this to aging and other damage that simply has not occurred here, the fact that it is a factory publication, the limited distribution and availability, and the overall desireability, I have nevertheless set a very reasonable sensible price for someone who really wants this item. Here is the back cover continuation of the front photo - pretty clever design, but then that IS the essence of Porsche.
