In the grand tapestry of time, some legends endure like ancient constellations, their heroes etched into history. Others, however, remain unshackled by time, and remain dynamic. They are actors in their own mythos. These are legends that live among us today, and their heroes continue to add new chapters to their timeless tales.
At the legendary Carrera Panamericana race, two names have carved a legacy of precision and performance that resonates through the annals of motorsport history: Porsche and TAG Heuer. For the 2023 race, the duo has joined forces once again to pay a loving homage to the Panamericana road race with their collaborative car project, "TAG Heuer x Porsche – Legends of Panamericana." The initiative celebrates two significant anniversaries—70 years ago, two customer teams raced Porsche 550 Coupé cars in the Carrera Panamericana, and 60 years ago, Jack Heuer introduced the chronograph wristwatch that proudly bears the race's name.
This remarkable dual anniversary and the continued shared legacy of the pair at the Panamericana race will be commemorated with the new Porsche 718 GT4 RS Panamericana Special. Based on the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, Porsche and TAG Heuer have collaborated to create two distinctive vehicles. A modern interpretation of and loving tribute to the Porsche 550 Coupé that started it all, the Porsche 718 GT4 RS Panamericana Special physical manifestation of their historic partnership. The car bearing racing number 154 made its world debut at Rennsport Reunion 7, a major gathering of fans at the Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca in California.
Patrick Dempsey, renowned actor, racing driver, and brand ambassador for both TAG Heuer and Porsche, will be behind the wheel of the model for its debut at this year's Carrera Panamericana. A second counterpart model, a similar model with its own distinctive character and sporting racing number 152—created an homage to the starting number 152 who won in its class at the Carrera Panamericana in 1953—will be auctioned for charity in early 2024.
The interior of the Porsche 718 GT4 RS Panamericana Special reflects the appreciation for history and craft which defines the project as a whole. Diligent and careful intention is paid to every single aspect of that car's interior, and every detail is treated with reverence for the race from which the project was born. Take, for example, the tricoloured cross-stitching in the colours of the Mexican flag and the TAG Heuer logo. This green, white and red stitching can be seen throughout the interior, notably on the steering wheel rim and the dashboard.
The new model’s continue TAG Heuer’s long history of crafting dashboard mounted timing devices, and the car comes equipped with new timers inspired by the original Heuer Rally Master. The inspiration for the new timers was the original Rally Master set, a paired set of timekeeping devices launched in 1958 that separated the time telling and chronograph functions—an elegant ode to vintage movements with distinctly modern design.
A special feature of the car with racing number 154 is the TAG Heuer stopwatch module in the centre console. This component was designed and made by TAG Heuer especially for the project. Heuer and therefore TAG Heuer have by far the most extensive legacy of a major watchmaking brand regarding dashboard mounted timing devices. From the launch of the Time of Time in 1911—originally used in aviation, to the Autavia, which arrived in 1933 and debuted the name combining Aviation and Automobile—the dash timer was an early link for the brand to these disciplines and helped to build its reputation for creating dependable, utilitarian timing devices for tough applications.
The new reimagined dashboard clock is inspired by historic models, and features a metal plate and two watches: a 3-hand watch on the left and a chronograph on the right. Both watches have been reimagined with the current Carrera Glassbox design, with a three-dimensional dial with a raised flange that follows the curvature of the sapphire glass and curves down onto the dial. Reminiscent of its past counterparts, the chronograph includes a three-tiered snail-shaped tachymeter to provide speeds from low to high.
The inspiration for the new timers was the original Rally Master set, a paired set of devices which was launched in 1958 that separated the time telling and chronograph functions. The Master Time boasts an eight-day power reserve made possible with a double barrel movement from Revue Thommen.
In a nod to heritage and racing history, the special models feature the TAG Heuer logo subtly integrated into the center of the bonnet and on the side blades of the rear wing, painted in a slightly darker shade of gray. This distinctive branding also extends to the rear window's air filter box, as well as the wheel hub covers of the central lock rims, all contributing to a cohesive visual identity. To add a striking contrast, vibrant red tail lights punctuate the design.
A touch of nostalgia comes in the form of a Pegasus motif, prominently displayed on either the front-left wing with the racing number 152 or alternatively on the rear-left wheel arch with racing number 154. This serves as a poignant reminder of Porsche's early sponsorship endeavors, harkening back to the days when the 550 Coupé competed in the Carrera Panamericana, proudly displaying sponsor logos, including the iconic winged horse that once graced the Mobil Oil emblem. For those who wish to give their own car some wings, Porsche Tequipment now offers a faithful recreation of this original Pegasus logo as a sticker.
As the world comes to Mexico to watch first hand as a new generation leaves its mark on the Carrera Panamericana, we are reminded that legends are not confined to history books or distant stars but continue to write the stories of today.
