Grant Larson's Three-Decade Legacy at Porsche Culminates in Retirement

Porsche is celebrating the remarkable career of Grant Larson, Director Special Projects Design, who is set to retire at the end of 2025. Over three decades, Larson has been instrumental in shaping numerous iconic Porsche models, from design concepts and special editions to one-off customer commissions, leaving an indelible mark on the brand's automotive artistry.

Key Takeaways

• Grant Larson, Director Special Projects Design at Porsche, is retiring at the end of 2025 after a distinguished 30-year career.

• His work spanned design concepts, special editions, road and track cars, and bespoke customer projects.

• Larson's design philosophy emphasized authenticity and purpose, rejecting unnecessary embellishments.

• He played a significant role in the design of the Carrera GT and Boxster show cars.

• In recent years, he led the Sonderwunsch individualisation program, fulfilling customer dreams.

• Larson plans to continue designing cars as a hobby in retirement.

A Passion Ignited in Montana

Larson's fascination with automobiles began in his childhood in Billings, Montana. The evolving shapes of American cars in the 1960s captivated his young mind, sparking an early interest in design. This passion led him to study Industrial Design before fully committing to automotive design, inspired by encounters with graduates from the ArtCenter College of Design.

Journey to Porsche

After graduating, Larson joined Audi in Germany during a vibrant creative period. In 1989, he moved to Porsche in Weissach, where he was immediately struck by the caliber of the team. He describes the environment as one where he met "icons" and found immense creative freedom in projects that resonated most with him. Key moments included his work on the Carrera GT and Boxster show cars, where clear direction and skilled execution by his team led to successful outcomes.

Authentic Design Philosophy

Larson championed an "authentic" design approach, believing that every element should serve a purpose. He steered clear of superfluous details, preferring designs where form and function were intrinsically linked. This mindset was further honed by close collaboration with Porsche's engineers, whose technical expertise informed his design solutions.

Sonderwunsch: Crafting Bespoke Dreams

In his later years at Porsche, Larson dedicated significant effort to the Sonderwunsch individualisation program. This role allowed him to work directly with customers, translating their unique visions into reality. He found immense satisfaction in this process, guiding clients through choices of color and design to create truly personalized Porsche vehicles that reflected both their personality and the brand's identity.

A Future in Design

Though retiring from his official role, Larson views this as a continuation rather than an end to his design journey. He plans to remain in the Stuttgart region and pursue automotive design as a hobby. He cherishes his classic car collection, including a 356 Speedster and a 997 Carrera S. Larson's advice to future designers is to maintain enthusiasm and prioritize the customer's passion, a sentiment he shares with his successor, Emiel Burki.