Porsche 356/1

Porsche No. 1 Type 356, Porsche Museum
Manufacturer	Porsche
Production	1948, only 1 made
Predecessor	none
Successor	Porsche 356
Class	Sports car (2-door)
Body style	Roadster
Layout	RMR layout
Engine	1.1 L B4, 40 hp (DIN)
Wheelbase	82.7 inch (2100 mm)
Width	65.4 inch (1660 mm)
Curb weight	585 kg (1,290 lb)
Designer	Erwin Komenda

The Porsche 356/1 was the first real Porsche car created by Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche. This prototype car was a two-seater open roadster with a mid-mounted, air-cooled flat-4 engine of 1,131 cc displacement that produced 40 horsepower (30 kW). While the body was an original design, most of the mechanicals (including engine and suspension) were derived from the Volkswagen Beetle which Ferry's father, Ferdinand Porsche, had designed.

The aluminum roadster body of the 356/1 was designed by Porsche employee Erwin Komenda in April 1948 at Gmünd and completed only a month later. Smooth and low, the 356/1 set the pattern for later 356s with one fundamental difference; the engine of the production cars was moved behind the rear axle (to reduce costs and make room for two additional seats). The car was registered by the state of Carinthia (Kärnten) with the license plate K45-286 and made its maiden voyage on June 8, 1948.

The Porsche 356/1

Only one 356/1 was made and it is on display at the Porsche Museum, Stuttgart.