Although the first Porsche ever imported by Continental Cars to Malta in 1960 (it was sold to Maurice Degiorgio) was not on show, earlier this month at the launch of the latest 911 Carrera, the second, a 356 bought by Aldo Laferla in 1962, was.
It is in pristine condition and as Continental Cars chairman Maurice F. Mizzi said at a breakfast meeting at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, "it is not only still up and running but in good nick". This, he added, is a tribute to Porsche's engineering and quality.
The original 911 was launched the following year in Germany. The secret of its success is the harmonious integration of pure engineering and design, Mr Mizzi said. Nothing is superfluous, short term or open to compromise.
"It's character is the product of pure race experience - more that 14,000 rally victories for the 911."
The new Porsche 911 Carrera continues where the existing model line-up left off with all its classic features, Mr Mizzi said. "With evolutionary restyling from front to rear, the new 911 Carrera is, however, even more dynamic than before."
There is a wider track, slimmer, more accentuated waistline, new headlights, fenders and wheel arches and an aerodynamically optimised rear spoiler.
The entry level, starting from Lm58,100, is powered by a rear-mounted 3.6-litre 325 bhp (at 6,800 rpm) engine, while the Carrera S, starting at Lm65,500, is powered by a 3.8 litre flat six with a maximum output of 355 bhp (at 6,600 rpm).
The two-door 911 Carrera has a monocoque structure, lightweight all-steel bodyshell hot-galvanised on both sides. It has full-size side and head airbags for driver and passenger, and a six-speed manual or Tiptronic S transmission.
The power units are both water cooled, all aluminium with four overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing (VarioCam Plus), hydraulic valve play compensation, switchable intake manifold, integrated dry sump lubrication, two-stage cascade-type catalytic converter, two oxygen sensors with dual control, DME (Digital Motor Electronics) engine management for ignition, fuel injection and camshaft adjustment, electronic ignition with a solid-state distributor system (six ignition coils), and sequential multi-point fuel injection.
Maximum torque (pulling power) is, respectively, 370 Nm at 4,250 rpm and 400 Nm at 4,600 rpm. Both achieve peak revs of 7,300 rpm.
Front suspension consists of a Porsche optimised McPherson design with a spring strut axle configuration, independent wheel suspension on transverse arms, longitudinal arms and spring struts, cylindrical springs with inner damping, twin-sleeve gas pressure shock absorbers (with active control on the Carrera S). There is a multi-arm configuration in the rear with independent suspension on five arms, cylindrical coil springs on each wheel with co-axial inner damper, and single-sleeve gas pressure damper (with active control on the Carrera S).
The twin-circuit brake system is split by axles. It boasts four-piston aluminium monobloc brake callipers, cross-drilled, inner-vented brake discs on the front wheels measuring 318 mm in diameter with a thickness of 28 mm (Carrera) - 330 mm ¥ 34 mm on the Carrera S - and 299 mm ¥ 24 mm (Carrera) - 330 mm ¥ 28 mm on the Carrera S.
Top speed is 285 km/h in the Carrera (293 km/h in the Carrera S) and acceleration to 100 km/h in five seconds (4.8 in the Carrera S).