Typical of Porsche’s advertising during that era, the bold colors dominate, as do luxury cues.
Starting in early September the Porsche Museum will display the works the Stuttgart painter and graphic designer Hanns Lohrer (1912-1995) with an exhibit that goes beyond his automotive oeuvre. During the 1950s and ’60s, Lohrer played a vital role in the visual appearance of the Porsche brand in promotional pieces. Lohrer’s works helped create a positive image for what was then an upstart sports car manufacturer.
A selection of victory posters created by Lohrer at the close of every year to capture Porsche’s sporting successes is one area of focus at the exhibition. Another aspect of Porsche advertising is a series of posters by Lohrer created in 1961 depicting the Porsche 356 in the context of sports such as golfing, hunting or horse riding. Typical of Porsche’s advertising during that era, the bold colors of the sports equipment dominated the sports car, which was shown in small scale in the background.
In addition to the 40 posters, the Porsche Museum exhibition also includes a sales brochure with artwork by Lohrer. The red cover of the 1958 356A catalog depicts a woman’s hand wearing a glove on the stick shift, with a poodle on its leash at the lower right – a recurring Lohrer luxury theme. These exhibition pieces will be supplemented by 30 original sketches and pictures of Lohrer’s other works.
The Porsche Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Admission is €8.00 for adults, reduced admission is € 4.00. More information is available at www.porsche.com/museum.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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