Sometimes a legacy is cemented by the presence of a talented artist or photographer. Rainer W. Schlegelmilch is one such chronicler, a photographer who has spent many years following international motorsport. In Taschen’s new re-edition of Schlegelmilch’s study of Porsche’s racing history, the heroic collides with the scale and scope of motor racing’s golden era.
'The third-place Porsche 908/2 driven by Vic Elford at the Brünnchen, one of the best places for photographs of airborne cars, 1000 km Nürburgring, 1969'
The new edition follows a limited run of 762 aluminium-bound copies issued in 2023. Containing Schlegelmilch’s coverage of Porsche’s ‘racing moments’ between 1963 and 1988, it charts a quarter of a century of design and technical evolution, all captured with a dynamic eye that sought out vivid coloured and the pattern, process and complexity of the racing around the world.
'The Porsche mechanics have their tools ready for immediate use at the pitstops. In the background: the Porsche 911 T of Claude Ballot-Léna/GuyChasseuil, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1969'
The photographer’s passion for Porsches of every stripe shine through, from the evergreen 911 through to the 917 and 962 sports cars that became legendary for their prowess throughout the 70s and 80s. There’s also a strong sense of the camaraderie of the racing community, from the mechanics to the fans, back in the era when crowds could line the very edge of racetracks.
'Guest of honour and five-time Formula 1 World Champion Juan ManuelFangio waves the flag to start the race. The 917 K Porsches are at positions 4 and 6, 1000 km Zeltweg, 1969'
The book contains imagery from some of the most significant and historic races and circuits, from the Targa Florio through to Le Mans and Monza. Notably, Schlegelmilch’s camerawork deployed new techniques to convey the sense of speed and dynamics, including the combination of a zoom with a long exposure, and the use of blurred movement to convey speed.
'The victorious Porsche 917 K, Hans Herrmann / Richard Attwood, entered by Porsche Salzburg, passing the Esses in the rain, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1970'
'The start of the first IROC race, No. 2, Mark Donohue, in the lead, IROC, Riverside, 1973'
'Sunrise at Le Mans: a lonely Porsche 935 is passing the Dunlop Bridge in the early morning hour. 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1978'
-
The Architecture Edit: Wallpaper’s houses of the monthFrom wineries-turned-music studios to fire-resistant holiday homes, these are the properties that have most impressed the Wallpaper* editors this month
-
La Monique brings the French Riviera to Santa MonicaA transportive room of velvet, candlelight, and Riviera chic, serving French favourites with a modern wink
-
Kat Milne is the designer behind fashion’s most intriguing retail spacesInfused with elements of the surreal, Kat Milne has designed stores for the likes of Marc Jacobs, Sandy Liang and A24. ‘People are looking for a more tactile experience,’ she tells Wallpaper*
-
New Porsche Cayenne Electric makes a case for a sporting life with lashings of technologyThe next-gen Cayenne gets its first all-electric model, a mighty SUV that’s also the first Porsche with wireless charging
-
All the new electric cars and concepts revealed at Munich’s IAA Mobility 2025Munich’s alternative motorshow is now in its third iteration, combining a traditional exhibition space with a conference and large-scale public activations on the streets of the city
-
KAMManufaktur transforms the 1960s-era Porsche 912 into a refined restomod GTThe KAMM 912T is a restomod Porsche for the more discerning collector, a rebuilt and re-engineered car that favours analogue feel and simplicity over all-out power
-
All the best bits from Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025As car makers switch their allegiance to the sunny West Sussex countryside as a place to showcase their wares, a new generation of sports cars were sent running up that famous hill
-
This Porsche surfboard collaboration captures the spirit of 1970s Southern CaliforniaThe Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 is the inspiration for the company’s second collaboration with California’s Almond Surfboards, featuring a custom-made board and limited-edition apparel and accessories
-
‘Wundercar’ celebrates the ineffable aura of the Porsche 959, the first true hypercarCurated by London creatives INK, ‘Wundercar’ is a London exhibition dedicated to the image and influence of Porsche’s seminal 959, a true icon of 1980s engineering
-
The Porsche 911 Spirit 70 harks back to the aesthetic and ethos of the 1970sAs part of Porsche’s Heritage Design strategy, the company has launched a new special edition, the Porsche 911 Spirit 70 convertible
-
Michael Mauer on two decades at the helm of Porsche’s designPorsche’s signature style has diversified in recent years, thanks to the design leadership of Michael Mauer. We caught up with him to reflect on his 20 years in the hot seat
