Professor Ferdinand Porsche
initially started the company called "Dr. ing. h. c. F. Porsche GmbH" in 1931, with
main offices at Königstrasse in the center of Stuttgart. The company offered motor vehicle
development work and consulting, and did not initially build any cars under its
own name. One of the first assignments the new company received was from the
German government to design a car for the people, a "Volkswagen" in
German. The first Porsche, the Porsche 64, was developed in 1939 using many
components from the Volkswagen Beetle. After World War II, Ferdinand Porsche's
son, Ferry Porsche, decided to build his own car because he could not find an
existing car that he would be interested in buying. The first models of what
was to become the 356 were built in a small sawmill in Gmünd, Austria
and had aluminum bodywork: the modern Porsche company was born. The prototype
car was shown to German auto dealers, and when pre-orders reached a set
threshold, production was begun. Many regard the 356 as the first Porsche
simply because it was the first model sold by the fledgling company. Porsche
commissioned Zuffenhausen-based company Reutter Carosseri, which had previously
collaborated with Porsche on Volkswagen Beetle prototypes, to produce the 356's
steel body. Porsche constructed an assembly plant across the street from Reutter
Carosseri; that assembly plant is now known as Porschestrasse. The 356 was road
certified in 1948. Not long afterwards, on January 30, 1951, Ferdinand Porsche
died from complications following a stroke. In post-war Germany parts were generally in short
supply, so the 356 automobile used components from the Volkswagen Beetle
including its engine, gearbox, and suspension. The 356, however, had several
evolutionary stages, A, B, and C, while in production and many VW parts were
replaced by Porsche-made parts. The last 356s were powered by entirely
Porsche-designed engines. The sleek bodywork was designed by Erwin Komenda who
also had designed the body of the Beetle. Porsche's signature designs have,
from the beginning, featured air-cooled rear-engine configurations (like the
Beetle), rare for other car manufacturers, but producing automobiles that are
very well balanced. In 1964, after some success in motor-racing, namely with
the Porsche 550 Spyder, the company launched the Porsche 911 another air-cooled,
rear-engined sports car, this time with a 6-cylinder "boxer" engine.
The team to lay out the body shell design was led by Ferry Porsche's eldest
son, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (F. A.). The design phase for the 911 caused
internal problems with Erwin Komenda who led the body design department until
then. F. A. Porsche complained Komenda made changes to the design not being
approved by him. Company leader Ferry Porsche took his son's drawings to
neighbouring body shell manufacturer Reuter bringing the design to the 1963
state. Reuter's workshop was later acquired by Porsche (so-called Werk II).
Afterward Reuter became a seat manufacturer, today known as Keiper-Recaro.
This is a very
nice and very rare photo that reflects a wonderful era of Porsche ‘s automotive
history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this
photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 10"
(ca. 20 x 26 cm).
It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.