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PICTURE OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE 2023
It was 75 years ago that Ferdinand Porsche produced “No. 1,” the first sportscar to carry his name
Across the decades I have photographed almost every Porsche model, including a large number of prototypes and concept cars – but the legendary “Number 1,” the first to bear the name Porsche, holds a very special place in my archive.
In 1930, Ferdinand Porsche had set up his own engineering office.
He was developing the Volkswagen (which would become known as the “Beetle”), and in 1938, he became general manager of Volkswagen’s factory.
It was at this time that he nurtured the idea of building a sportscar that would essentially be a sportier version of the Volkswagen. And so, he designed a test car for a race that was supposed to be held in 1939, but which never came about: the “Berlin-Rome Car.”
>> Porsche 356 highlights – from the “Berlin-Rome Car” to the 1960s
Towards the end of WWII, Ferdinand Porsche moved back to Southern Austria, to Kärnten.
There, in a camouflaged building in Gmünd, engineers spent their time tinkering on some idling jeeps, and in the late 40s, their work culminated in sportscar “No. 1,” the first vehicle to bear the series name 356.
Number 1 received authorization on June 8, 1948
Ferdinand Porsche, his son Ferry, chief developer Karl Rabe, and designer Erwin Komenda gave the prototype a sporty tubular steel frame and a handcrafted aluminum body, using technology that basically came from the VW Beetle. It was
585 kilograms light
3.86 meters long
35 hp strong
130 kilometers per hour fast
It was the progenitor of all the Porsche sportscars to come over the years
Here are more shots from this series. You can even order a copy of any of these images by clicking on the button.
Porsche was over the moon about his car. He test-drove it again and again on a nearby mountain called the Katschberg, just a few kilometers away – apparently so often, that at one point, he broke the rear wheel suspension.
>> From the Arlberg Classic to the London-Brighton to the Mille Miglia – my six favorite Classic Car Rallies
The same year that he received authorization to manufacture the car, Porsche sold the Roadster to Volkswagen’s Swiss importer to finance the purchase of the raw materials he needed to produce his first car.
“Number 1” roamed around much of Europe until it finally found its way back to Porsche, where it was fully restored.
For Porsche’s 70th anniversary, I had the 1948 prototype in the studio. The new paintjob hadn’t even dried fully.
And now, on the 75th anniversary of “Number 1,” you can order a print of this fantastically beautiful car, which is my Picture of the Month.
899 euros
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