911 Designer “F.A.” Porsche Dies

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designer of the original Porsche 911 sports coupe, died on Thursday in Salzburg, Austria, at age 76.

He was the grandson of Porsche AG founder Ferdinand Porsche and son of former Chairman Ferry Porsche. Known as "F.A.," Porsche joined the company in 1957 and headed its design studio in the early 1960s. He went on to develop race cars for Porsche, including the 904.

F.A. Porsche's design philosophy hewed closely to function. "A formally harmonious product needs no decoration," he said. "It should be elevated through pure form."

Porsche and other family members left the carmaker in 1972 when it became a public limited company. He founded Porsche Design, which styled watches, sunglasses and other consumer products, in 1972.

F.A. Porsche returned to Porsche AG as chairman in 1990-1993 during the company's financial crisis. The company hired CEO Wendelin Wiedeking, who is credited for reviving the carmaker, during that period.