AeroBox
The high-capacity design is built to store necessary tools, gear, and equipment for extended trips, and can accommodate a standard Porsche 17”-18” spare mounted with a 225/40 tire.
Backstory: The Air-Cooled Era
The history of Porsche’s air-cooled engines begins with the 356, Porsche’s first production car. Introduced in 1948, the 356 used a rear-engine, air-cooled layout, which became a hallmark of the brand. Porsche’s engineering philosophy around air-cooled engines was rooted in simplicity, durability, and lightweight performance. The air-cooling system, while less complex than water-cooled engines, was also less prone to overheating in demanding conditions which made it ideal for both street and racing cars.
In 1964, Porsche launched the 911, an icon that would forever be linked to the marque’s legacy. The 911’s air-cooled engine was both a technical and design statement, powering the car through decades of motorsport triumphs. With a horizontally opposed "flat-six" engine, the 911’s air-cooled design achieved a low center of gravity, helping with handling and making it highly sought after by motorsport enthusiasts, especially in endurance racing.
The Modern Air Cooled Revival: 911 Off-Road Conversions
A Growing Community
Builders like R Gruppe and companies like Rennsport Rally, Safari 911, and Singer Vehicle Design have all contributed to the movement of creating off-road capable Porsches. This growing community has made it easier for enthusiasts to acquire parts, knowledge, and expertise to undertake such projects.
A roof box designed specifically for vintage air-cooled Porsches: an aerodynamic storage solution optimized for rally performance.
AeroBox features a rear diffuser that channels airflow directly into the engine intake. This design optimizes engine cooling and performance while sporting a sleek and aggressive appearance.
The 911 and Rally Roots
While the 911 is primarily known for its performance on tarmac, it has always had a connection to off-road and rally racing. Early 911s participated in events like the Monte Carlo Rally, and the car’s rear-engine layout, light weight, and exceptional durability made it well-suited for rough terrains. The 911’s rally pedigree truly came to the forefront in the 1970s.
In the 1970s, Porsche introduced the 911 "Safari" rally car, a heavily modified 911 designed for off-road racing. The 911 Safari was equipped with raised suspension, reinforced bodywork, larger tires, and enhanced cooling systems to endure the harsh conditions of events like the East African Safari Rally. The car’s success in these events gave rise to the notion of the 911 not just being a road car but also a versatile vehicle capable of conquering diverse terrains.
One of the most notable achievements was in 1978 when Porsche’s 911 SC Safari finished first in the 1978 East African Safari Rally. This was a pivotal moment in the history of both the 911 and rally racing, showcasing the car's adaptability and resilience.
In recent years, there's been a resurgence of interest in the iconic air-cooled Porsche 911 as an off-road rally car, leading many enthusiasts to convert these classic models into modern-day "Safari" builds.
A Unique Aesthetic
The appeal of the "Safari" 911 lies in its aesthetic transformation. Enthusiasts enjoy the contrast of a traditional, sleek Porsche 911 design with the rugged, off-road modifications. Raised suspensions, flared fenders, wide tires, additional lighting, and roof racks add a distinctive look to these cars. For many, it’s an opportunity to blend the best of both worlds — the elegance of Porsche design with the grit of off-road capability.
Why the Need for a Roof Box?
Roof boxes have become popular among air-cooled Porsche drivers in the off-road community for their ability to enhance the rugged, rally-inspired aesthetic while providing practical storage space for gear on extended trips. For travel essentials like camping equipment, ski-gear, tools, gas cans, and other miscellaneous items that either don’t fit inside of the car or are too dirty to see the interior, a roof box provides the ultimate solution.
The Problem:
Existing roof box options on the market are often bulky and fail to complement the timeless, elegant lines of the classic Porsche 911. Even solutions designed by Porsche for newer models, though practical and well-crafted, don’t capture the unique spirit of the air-cooled Porsches from the 20th century.
My Mission:
I set out to design the first-ever roof-mounted cargo box specifically engineered for the iconic air-cooled Porsche 911, combining practical storage solutions with an aerodynamic design that seamlessly aligns with the vehicle's unique aesthetic and distinctive characteristics.
911 Form Analysis
The refined design of the Air Cooled Porsche 911 combines functionality, performance, and timeless elegance. In order to develop a roof box that would complement the proportions and features of the vehicle, I first had to identify what makes the Porsche Form so unique. The overall design of the iconic Porsche 911 can be characterized by its minimalistic aesthetic, its distinctive rear-engine silhouette, and its harmonious visual proportions.
One of the most striking features of the air-cooled Porsche 911 is its simplicity. The design is devoid of unnecessary embellishments, yet each element has been specifically crafted to maximize the vehicle’s performance and visual impact. The lack of excessive ornamentation is a hallmark of Porsche's philosophy of "form follows function," where design is stripped down to only its essential elements.
The balance between the front and rear of the car ensures that the 911 never looks top-heavy, and the rear-engine layout does not overpower the overall visual harmony. This rear-engine configuration influences the car's overall shape, creating a distinctive rearward cant that gives the 911 its characteristic look.
Concept Development
I aimed to created a roof box that followed the same design philosophy as Porsche by relying on principles of minimalism and purpose driven design.
A Design that Enhances, not Disrupts
My Primary goal was to design a roof box that continues the existing lines of the car, as if it were an extension of the porsche itself.
I ideated on geometries that reflected the same rear-leaning stance that gives the car its agile and athletic poise, and developed shapes that would “mimic” this sporty concept.
Airflow/Performance Considerations
I wanted AeroBox to go beyond the usual drag-reducing cargo containers: designed to enhance both performance and handling, its up-sloping shape generates downforce as air flows over the top, while air directed beneath the box is funneled straight into the rear-engine intake, improving cooling and optimizing the Porsche’s overall efficiency.
Operation
The Storage space of the roof box must be able to be accessed by both sides of the vehicle to accommodate both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive vehicles.
Refined Concept
The form-finding process gave me the opportunity to closely examine the design characteristics that make the Air-Cooled Porsche 911 so distinct, allowing me to create a strong foundational form that I could then refine and develop in greater detail.
By channeling the airflow smoothly through the diffuser, turbulent air is minimized, reducing aerodynamic drag. This helps improve overall vehicle efficiency, allowing it to maintain higher speeds with less energy loss due to air resistance.
