Porsche, A Humble Beginning (1948-1954)

1948
Porsche introduces the aerodynamic “356,” named for its design project number. Through 1949, the company hand-builds the first 52 cars in a small garage in Gmund, Austria.

 

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1950
Porsche leases space in the Reutter body factory in Zuffenhausen, a Stuttgart suburb. Reutter builds bodies for the 356 and production reaches 369 for the year. Sportscar enthusiasts take notice of the lightweight, quick-handling 356. In New York, importer Max Hoffman places the first North American order for Porsches.

 

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1951
Ferdinand Porsche dies. Horsepower for the 356 jumps to 60.

 

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1953
550 Spyder road/race model proves a “giant killer” among larger, more powerful cars from Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati and Aston-Martin.

 

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1954
Speedster model introduced as low-priced, “stripped-down” version of 356. Today the 1954-1957 Speedsters are among the most sought-after Porsches by collectors