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Though Harm Lagaay, Porsche's former design chief, was constrained by the somewhat conservative evolution of the company he worked for, his team's creativity was allowed into flourish in advance of the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show, where the covers were whipped off the wonderful Panamericana, a turnkey design study featuring 954 Carrera 4 oily bits and a composite body. While the car's 911 roots were clear to see, the cartoonish lines of the Panamericana made it look like the lovechild of a steroid-munching 964 and a beach buggy. Bespoke threepiece Speedline rims were wrapped in Porsche-branded rubber, while a fabric zip-off roof inspired the 993 Targa.
Developed during a busy six-month period in the hope of demonstrating forthcoming 993 styling cues, the Panamericana does a good job of hinting at what we'd end up seeing with the arrival of the 986 Boxster.
Designed as an eightieth birthday present for Ferry Porsche, the Panamericana was never intended for production, despite huge positive feedback to the exhibition car. Besides, it has quietly been
