The Porsche 911 is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. Here is a glance back on a career which is still far from over.

Initiated in 1959 by the design office at Stuttgart as a successor to the 356, the 911 project was a real success. Sportier, more spacious, and more refined than its predecessor, its performance quickly gave it racing success. Introduced in 1963 and marketed the following year, it is undoubtedly the most famous model of the German marque, despite many changes over the years. It has been through no less than fifteen evolutions since its launch. On the track, it has won two-thirds of all Porsche's victories.

In fifty years, the Porsche 911 has become a regular sight at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its first participation dates back to 1966, where it finished second in the two litre class. In 1974, it came to La Sarthe with a turbocharger. The new generation engine finished second overall behind the Matra prototype driven by Henri Pescarolo and Gerard Larrousse. The 911 continued its ascent before finally winning the 24 Hours in 1979 (in the form of the 935, with Klaus Ludwig, Don and Bill Whittington) and again in 1998 (with Laurent Aiello, Stéphane Ortelli and Allan McNish) .

In half a century, more than four hundred 911 chassis have participated at Le Mans and they have collected an impressive number of victories class victories. And this year, six 911 (including two factory cars) will start the 24 Hours of Le Mans that will take place on 22nd and 23rd of June.

This video retraces the history of this legendary car on road and track.