The Porsche brand’s origins trace back to the Austrian town of Gmünd, where Ferry Porsche’s visionary ideas led to the creation of the first car bearing the Porsche name. On June 8, 1948, the 356 “No. 1” Roadster received its general operating permit, marking what is now considered the birth date of Porsche.
The 356 “No. 1” Roadster featured an aluminium body and a steel lattice tube frame designed by Porsche. Its mechanics were borrowed and modified from Volkswagen, including a performance-enhanced four-cylinder flat engine placed in front of the rear axle. This unique model set the foundation for Porsche’s design philosophy.
While the “No. 1” was a singular prototype, the subsequent series-production versions, starting in 1950, featured a rear-mounted engine and a steel body. This transition set the stage for the future of Porsche’s iconic sports cars.
Specifications
- Model Year: 1948
- Engine: 4-Cyl. Boxer
- Displacement: 1131 ccm
- Power Output: 26 kW (35 HP)
- Top Speed: 135 km/h
