“Every time we do a car, we break it down into three phases, starting with architecture which is the proportions of the car and its visual message, the styling or design look, and finally the details, “the small things that make a Porsche a Porsche.”
Grant joined Porsche in 1989, a period where the company was in deep trouble- poor economic trends in part due to an unfavorable exchange rate, their competition producing lower-priced alternatives, and the company’s own inefficiencies made for an uncertain future for the marque. Among Grant’s earlier tasks under Harm Lagaaj’s direction were facelifting the 944, essentially the model that became the 968, as well as the cancelled 989 project.
None of these, of course, are what make Grant a well known name in the Porsche design world. When Porsche set their sights on the 996 generation 911 and the entry level sports car that could share a number of the 911’s components. Grant was responsible for the exterior design of the Boxster concept car, drawing inspiration from the mighty mid-engined 550 Spyders and RSK models of the 1950s. The concept car and production 986 were part of a strategic move that certainly helped to save the company.
Shortly after, Grant worked in the early stages of designing the Carrera GT and the 997 generation 911 Carrera and Turbo. As Director of Special Projects at Style Porsche, Grant has led the designs of many limited editions and derivatives of existing models such as the Speedster, Boxster Spyders, Sport Classic, and the mobile prototype 981 Bergspyder study. Grant has also worked closely with Porsche Motorsport to design some of the most iconic low production race car models, such as the 935/19, GT3R and RSR.
