Based on Ferry Porsche’s ideas, the first car bearing the Porsche name was constructed in the Austrian town of Gmünd. On June 8, 1948, the 356 “No. 1” Roadster received its general operating permit. This is generally considered to be the birth date of the Porsche brand. The aluminium body and steel lattice tube frame were created by Porsche. The mechanics were borrowed from Volkswagen and modified. A performance-enhanced four-cylinder flat engine from VW was located in front of the rear axle. The “No. 1” remained a truly one-off unit, as the series-production version was fitted with a rear-mounted engine and, from 1950 onwards, a steel body.
Specifications
Model Year
1948
Engine
4-Cyl. Boxer
Displacement
1131 ccm
Power Output
26 kW (35 HP)
Top Speed
135 km/h
Astrid Böttinger
Spokesperson Heritage and Porsche Museum
Team Coordinator Communications
Fifty-five years ago, Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann won the first of a total of 19 overall victories for Porsche in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Today, the British-born Attwood celebrates his 85th birthday.