File:Porsche 356 1950-3.jpg | |
Porsche 356/1 | |
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Porsche | |
aka | Porsche Nr. 1 Roadster |
Production | 1948 |
Class | Sports |
Body Style | Two-door roadster |
Length | 3850 mm |
Width | 1660 mm |
Height | 1300 mm |
Wheelbase | 2100 mm |
Weight | 800kg |
Transmission | 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive |
Engine | 1.1 litre four-cylinder, naturally aspirated |
Power | 30bhp |
Similar | Volkswagen Beetle specials |
Designer | Ferdinand Alexander Porsche |
Produced when Ferdinand Porsche himself was in prison, the 356/1 was the prototype version of what would become the Porsche 356. The 356/1 was essentially soley a re-clothed Volkswagen Beetle, with a lightweight aluminium skin and rear-mounted four-cylinder engine. The car, which was built while Porsche resided in Gmund, Austria, was exceptionally light and well handling, and served an ample demonstrator for the burgeoning company.
Ferdinand Porsche's personal car for a long while, 356/1 can be seen today in the Porsche museum.