Porsche 597 Jagdwagen

Porsche designed the Type 597 Jagdwagen; Hunting Car with the combined elements of both the Schwimmwagen and the Keubelwagen. The vehicle was designed and built in the unlikeliest of places, in the race shop alongside 356GT's and 550 Spyders. Pronounced ‘Yahgt-vahgen', no two 597's were exactly alike. Visually similar to the original Keubelwagen, the 597's body was made of stamped steel with heavy embossings for additional rigidity. The first four cars to ever be produced were actually fully amphibious, equipped with a folding propeller and came complete with canoe paddles as original accessories from the factory. The rest of the models produced were not amphibious, but could still ford deep water with the aid of special equipment. The radios, lights and other military equipment were powered by two 12-volt batteries and a dynamo.

The Jagdwagen featured a detuned 356A engine that produced 55hp. Like the VW's and the Porsches of the period, the induced air-cooled flat-four taken from the Porsche 356 situated in the rear of the vehicles. Originally it featured an amended version of the 1.5 liter with a later increase to 1.6 in the 1-model. It came with low-compression pistons similar to the Porsche industrial wagon and a single Zenith carburetor. Through an unconventional four-wheel drive system, the power was put to the ground which offered shift-on-the-fly convenience. The Porsche 597 Jagdwagen could climb an impressive 65-degree angle. The suspension was extremely firm riding, and not an especially comfortable ride at that as very few creature comforts were added. The 597 weighed 990 kilograms and featured a top speed of approximately 100 kilometers per hour.
As unique as this vehicle was, unfortunately another company, the German carmaker DKW (later absorbed by Audi) was chosen instead to equip the German army with their entry, the DKW Munga. The Jagdwagen was considered too expensive and ‘terribly over-engineered'. In actuality the 597, typical of all Porsches, was just too technologically advanced for its time. The Munga was a very ‘throw-away vehicle' with a basic three cylinder, two stroke engine. Porsche was convinced that their entry had not been picked due to politics. Porsche couldn't easily supply the sheer numbers of units needed in proposed timescale.

Porsche tried to recover from its considerable investment into the vehicle by offering the Jagdwagen to the public, but not many were introduced. No other car like this was sold anywhere in Europe, so the customer base was stagnant. As a last effort, the Jagdwagen was marketed to consumers a personal hunting vehicle for sportsmen, which is why the name roughly translates into ‘hunting car'. In 1958 production of the Jagdwagen ceased with only a total of 71 units ever being produced.

The production of the 597 Jagdwagen was definitely an interesting development by Porsche unlike anything they had ever produced. Extremely expensive, the development costs for the vehicle amounted to approximately 1.8 million Deutsche marks. Some talks were made in August 1959 that an updated vehicle would be developed based on the 597 platform. It would feature a strengthened chassis, extended wheel base of 2,400mm that would be available in five different body-styles. Unfortunately this project never made it into production.

Porsche 550 RS Spyder

Porsche 550 RS Spyder

Porsche 550 RS Spyder

Porsche 550 RS Spyder

The original two 550's were prepared for the Carrera Panamerica race in 1953. Adorned with sponsor stickers and livery the two cars easily dominated the 1500 cc class. Jose Herrate's 550-02 emerged victorious though 550-01, driven by Jaroslav Juhan, was the faster of the two but forced to retire due to mechanical difficulties. The following year 550-04, outfitted with the Fuhrmann quad-cam engine, was entered into the Carrera Panamerica race where it finished third overall and first in class. In honor of these accomplishments, the 356 models outfitted with the Fuhrmann engine were now dubbed 'Carrera'.

In total there were around 90 examples of 550 RS Spyders created with 78 being sectioned for public use. In 1956 Porsche introduced the 550A which looked nearly identical to its predecessor but featured many mechanical improvements including a spaceframe chassis coupled to a Fuhrmann four-cam 547 engine capable of producing over 130 horsepower. It featured a five speed manual gearbox and multi-link suspension which greatly improved the handling while reducing over-steer.

The Porsche 550 was a very successful car that showcased the capabilities and creativity of Porsche. Throughout the years to come, new Porsches were created that were bigger, better, and faster, and continued the tradition on the racing circuits of this historic pedigree.

1954 Porsche Racing Special

Pupulidy was at the 1952 Bridgehampton Race where Porsche importer Max Hoffman debuted a Glockler Porsche prototype mid-engine spyder. Early in 1953, Pupulidy began work on a similar car. It was given a tubular steel ladder frame and stamped with the ID 'PUP1' into the frame rail. Progress was slow, and it was not completed by the start of the 1954 racing season. Max Hoffman offered Pupulidy a damaged Volkswagen donor car. With this new project car, the Pup was put aside. He built a car using the VW pan and fitted with the traditional rear engine set-up.

During the winter, work resumed on the Pup, with friend John Wuff. The fiberglass body (a second body had been built by this point), tube frame, and components were sent to Frick Motors for completion. When it was completed, it was sent to the back of the shop and abandoned, as Emil was now racing a Porsche Carrera Speedster.

PUP1 was discovered in 1958 by Butch Strunk. It was purchased and put on the northeast racing circuit, as well as used in hillclimbs. It was purchased in the 1960s by SCCA Howard Gilmore, who retained the car for two decades. In was sold to Matt Williman in 1988 who continued to expand upon its racing career.

In 2002, it was purchased by its current owner, who began a nut-and-bolt concours-type restoration. Upon completion, it raced for three consecutive years at the Monterey Historics. It earned a first place trophy at the Tucson Porsche Club Concours.

The engine is a Porsche 356 racing engine with Carillo rods, Scat crank, titanium valves, Solex 40 PII carburetors and custom exhaust system. There is a 356 four-speed transmission with vented gearbox and C/R gears. Four-wheel 356 drum brakes with PF carbon linings provide the stopping power. With all the fluids, this racing special weighs just 1200 pounds.

1953 Porsche Phoenix

Porsche Phoenix

Porsche Phoenix

Porsche Phoenix

Porsche Phoenix

Porsche Phoenix

The Phoenix was a complete and running one-off prototype of a Brooks Stevens designed car. It was used to demonstrate to investors and to engineering staff all aspects of the working automobile. It featured production casting for the unique suspension, handmade trim in multiple areas, sophisticated stampings in the platform and framework, and complete unique bodywork.
The engine that was used in the car and in fact, the only engine to ever power a Paxton was a Porsche engine. This engine was a rare Hirth crank motor taken directly from a 356. The car was bought and driven to So Cal by a staff member and the motor was removed. Other parts were used, including the gearbox and some suspension components, however the majority of the cars features were handmade.
The interior of the car was mostly leather and featured a two tone blue scheme with the most striking feature being the central instrument 'pod' of circular design. The steering wheel 'floated' within the circular design. Under the hood there was ample room for luggage and spare tire. The car was made of fiberglass.

1953 Porsche 550 Coupe

Porsche 550 Coupe

Porsche 550 Coupe

Porsche 550 Coupe

Porsche 550 Coupe

Porsche 550 Coupe

The first Porsche 550, outfitted with a Roadster body, had its racing debut at the Eiffel Races at Nurburging. Piloted by Helm Glockler, the Porsche immediately proved its capabilities. Unfortunately, the weather was poor and there were problems with a carburetor but it was not enough from keeping Glockler and the 550 from winning the race. Even with strong competition, its first race had been victorious. Porsche turned his sights onto the grueling but prestigious 24 Hours of LeMans endurance race.

LeMans is a high speed track and manufacturers often build custom bodies for their cars to take advantage of better aerodynamics to achieve higher speeds. Two cars were prepared by Porsche for the race, both with coupe bodies. They were entered into the 1101-1500 cc class and by the end of the race had easily beaten the competition. Overall, they had finished 15th and 16th. Porsche 550-02 driven by Richard Frankenberg and Paul Frere were awarded the class victory. The cars were later raced in two German competition events.

Ernst Furhmann continued on his engine development project, under strict direction to stay in the 1500 cc limit. He borrowed from one of his previous designs; a flat-12 engine used in the Cisitalia Grand Prix car. It had a large bore and a small stroke. Instead of using the overhead valve configuration of the 356's, he went with an overhead camshaft design where each set of two cylinders had two overhead camshafts driven by shafts. When the new engine was complete, it was placed in a new 550 chassis which had continued the evolution of design, strength, rigidity, and weight reduction. It was still a tubular frame but had been modified through knowledge gained from testing and racing. A new body was created, designed by Erwin Komenda and in similar fashion to the original bodies of the other 550's.

This newly developed 550 was first shown to the public at the 1953 Hockenheim Grand Prix where it was unable to match the speeds of the 550 Coupe. It was raced a week later at a hillclimb where it scored a respectable third place finish. A month later a fifth 550 was on display at the Paris Motorshow where it was accompanied by news that the 550 RS Spyder would soon enter production and be available in 1954. The show car had a few luxurious that were void on the other racers, such as a full windshield with wipers, seating for two, convertible top, and the convenience of a lockable glove-box. Porsche worked hard on getting the 550's ready for racing during 1953 and 1954. Near the close of 1954, the vehicles were ready. In the hands of capable privateers, the 550's quickly began amassing many victories often beating the larger engine competition. One of the owners of a 550 Spyder, serial number 550-0055, was the legendary James Dean who nicknamed his machine 'Little Bastard.' On September 30th, 1955 at the intersection of Highways 466 and 41, James Dean's life came to a close while driving the 550 Spyder

1950 Porsche 356 Coupe

1950 Porsche 356 Coupe

1950 Porsche 356 Coupe

1950 Porsche 356 Coupe

During the war Ferdinand 'Ferry' Porsche and a handful of his proven, faithful employees had started work on development number 356 in their workshops moved to the town of Gmünd in Kärnten. The first design drawings were completed on 17 July 1947 and on 8 June 1948 the Kärnten state government issued a special permit homologating the car. Returning home after being held by the French as a prisoner of war and bailed out of custody by his family, Professor Dr.-Ing.h.c.Ferdinand Porsche, Ferry's father, stated right away that 'every single bolt was just right'. No 1 was then followed by a small series of 52 additional cars built in Gmünd, production in Stuttgart from 1950 - 1965 subsequently amounting to 78,000 units of the 356 model Porsche No 1, a mid-engined roadster, is completed and homologated in the Austrian town of Gmünd. The engine displaces 1131 cc and develops maximum output of 35 bhp(26 kW). The first few 356 coupes are made of light alloy.
The Porsche 1500 S ('Super') was launched in 1952 and was capable of producing 70 bhp.

In 1953, the Porsceh 1300 S producing 60 horsepower was added to the Porsche line-up. This was also the year the Porsche was introduced to the United States. The split windshields are also replaced by bent windshields during this year.

1954 marked the production of the first 200 Porsche Speedsters.

In 1955, the Speedster becomes a genuine sales success. Production of the 356 A series starts in autumn with the proven 1300 and 1300 S power units soon joined by the 1600(1582 cc, 60 bhp/44 kW), 1600 S (1582 cc, 75 bhp/55 kW) and 1500 GS -the first Carrera marking the introduction of the new sports engine with four overhead camshafts - (1498 cc, 100 bhp/74 kW). The 1100-ccengines are dropped from the range.

During the 1956 model year, Porsche produces its 10,000th 356 model.

In 1957, the sporting and Spartan Porsche 1500 GS Carrera is joined by the more comfortable 1500GS de Luxe model.

In 1958, output of the Porsche 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT is boosted to 110 bhp/81 kW. The Speedster is replaced by the Convertable with a larger windscreen and winding windows at the side. The 1300-cc engines are dropped from the range.

In 1959, the Carrera receives extra power and is now called the 1600 GS-GT, with the sports version offering more output (1588 cc, 115 bhp/85 kW) than the de Luxe model (105 bhp/77 kW). The 356 B series is introduced in autumn, the Convertible D being renamed the Roadster.

1949 Porsche 356/2

Porsche 356/2

This vehicle, chassis number 356/2-040, was built in the spring of 1949, and is the oldest original condition Porsche in the world. It is one of less than 50 hand built all aluminum cars produced in Porsche's first 'factory' - a converted sawmill in Gmund, Austria (hence its name). Subsequently, manufacturing was transferred to Stuttgart, Germany, where it remains to this day.

Immediately, chassis #040 was put into service by Porsche as a highly documented development car, and was used as a rolling 'testbed' for factory experiments with aerodynamics and mechanical components, many of which were later used in the very successful 356 SL racecars at LeMans. Special racing features incorporated into this vehicle as a stronger aluminum engine (the standard cars used magnesium), raised shift linkage, and the first use of hydraulic brakes in a Porsche.

Sold in 1953 by Louisa Piech (Ferdinand Porsche's daughter and the sister of Ferry Porsche) to Otto Mathe, the well known 'one-armed' racer from Innsbruck, Austria. In 1996, after Mr. Mathe's passing, it was sold to Austrian enthusiast, Franz Rathkolb. It was purchased by Jerry Seinfeld in 2003.

Porsche 356

Porsche 356

Porsche 356

Porsche 356

Porsche 356

This Porsche 356 is the very first real Porsche car created by Ferdinand 'Ferry' Porsche. This prototype two seater open roadster, known as 'Porsche Number 1,' has a mid-mounted, air-cooled flat-4 engine displacing 1,131cc. 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 this car was designed by Porsche employee Erwin Komenda in April 1948 and was completed in just one month. Smooth and low, Porsche Number 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 356 was a sports car designed by Porsche that sold from 1948 through 1964 and was Porsche's first production automobile. A prototype for the 356, the 'Number 1' had a mid-engine. The name for the 356 was chosen as it was the 356th project off the Porsche design desk. In 1949, production officially began in Stuttgart, Germany.

Porsche Cayenne Lumma Design

Porsche Cayenne Lumma Design

Porsche Cayenne Lumma Design

LUMMA Design provided the somewhat reserved appearance of the Cayenne with a tailor-made sports suit that radiates self-confidence. It comprises a new front spoiler with a deep drawn cup spoiler sword and additional carbon applications that give the Porsche an aggressive agile look. The added LED daytime running lights and the fog lights unit emphasise this self-contained design.

The new sporty bonnet, which is made from high-performance materials such as carbon and Kevlar, also demands to be recognised. The gill-like air inlets provide the best heat dissipation from the engine compartment, and the elevated windscreen wiper cover reduces the aerodynamic drag.

The bold wing extensions continue the aerodynamic optimisation of the Cayenne. The side skirts steady the airflow and guide the air through a specially designed channel to the rear brakes, thus ensuring a stable and optimum operating temperature. Customized openings in the door fixtures provide additional cooling. They continue seamlessly between the wider wheelhouse of the front and rear wheels. The total aerodynamic package makes the CLR 550 GT a force to be reckoned with on the road.

This impression is further reinforced by the massive light alloy wheels. LUMMA Design uses forged 11x23 inch aluminium rims with a deep wheel hub.

The individual shape of the rear end is also impressive. The heart of this design is the rear spoiler with its integrated carbon diffuser. Incorporated into the centre of the spoiler are the three stainless steel tailpipes, giving it the distinctive look of the design. Only LUMMA Design offers the visual appearance of a centre pipe flanked by two smaller ones. What's more, the roof edge spoiler and the tear-off edge on the tailgate, both made of carbon, provide additional power.

Porsche Cayenne 2

Porsche Cayenne 2

Porsche Cayenne 2

Porsche Cayenne rebuilding into the stylized dashing off-road coupe TOPCAR has successfully participated with its Porsche Cayenne Advantage and Porsche Cayenne Vantage GTR at the largest and most prestigious car tuning exhibition in Europe - Essen Motor Show. Due to the great majority of renovated cars it proves that the idea has been appreciated and managed to gain customers’ confidence.

In this connection, it is remarkable that the new Porsche Cayenne is going to be in a great demand and in fact to be a great opportunity to create the new Advantage and Vantage GTR renovated series.

Having gained the positive response all over the world for the Porsche Panamera aerodynamic body kit TOPCAR is on its way to develop a fresh package for the new Porsche Cayenne in three various manners:

Porsche Cayenne Advantage 2
Porsche Cayenne Vantage GTR 2
Porsche Cayenne Vantage 2
Porsche Cayenne Advantage 2

The Porsche Cayenne Advantage 2 project is designed to have your Cayenne stylized into dashing off-road coupe. Due to the idea of the rebuilding car body and installing Porsche 911 headlights your Porsche will gain a new look with the traditional Porsche styling cues.

Porsche 911 GT2

Porsche 911 GT2
Porsche 911 GT2
Porsche 911 GT2
Porsche 911 GT2

The Switzer GT2 R911S takes the firm's well-proven P800 GT2 package and pushes it further. Using race fuel, the R911 delivers well over eight hundred horsepower at the rear wheels, equating to roughly 50% more power than Porsche's GT2 RS, with Switzer's MONSTER intercoolers ensuring consistent engine performance lap after lap.

With a (conservative) 911 hp on tap, virtually nothing in the world can pass Switzer's R911S GT2 in a straight line. To maintain that advantage in the corners, Switzer's R911S features a Switzer-specific titanium inverted-front-strut, remote-reservoir suspension engineered by the track experts at JRZ. This isn't "racing-style" suspension; the hardware is a true JRZ racing setup that has been torture-tested in the Patron GT3 Cup and Grand-Am Rolex GT series – barely tamed for the street with a few easy knob-twists. Each one of Switzer's R911S cars will be feature hand-selected spring and damping rates, specifically catering to each client's track experience and level of aggression.

Switzer's R911S already offers a power-to-weight ratio which simply eviscerates Porsche's newest factory flagship - but for the customer who has to cut every last ounce of extra mass from the car, Switzer offers the R911S Carbon - an exclusive suite of lightweight carbon-fiber body panels that sheds weight from the R911S and lowers the car's center of gravity for maximum performance in advanced-level trackday and time-attack sessions. Developed by the low-mass experts at Seibon, the carbon panels are the final nail in the coffin for Porsche's factory GT2 RS.

Porsche:Panamera 4

Panamera 4

Panamera 4

The new Panamera models feature an all-new, Porsche-designed 3.6-liter, 90-degree V6 engine with Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) that develops 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Built on the same line as the normally aspirated and twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 engines found in the Panamera S, 4S and Turbo, this new engine propels the Panamera and Panamera 4 from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 and 5.8 seconds, respectively (5.8 and 5.6 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package Plus option). Top test track speeds are 160 and 159 mph, respectively.

As a whole, these new models provide high levels of performance, agility and comfort and the same safety systems found in the V8 Panameras, yet they return even better fuel economy figures than the already efficient Panamera S, 4S and Turbo. The Panamera achieves 18 mpg city/27 highway while the all-wheel-drive Panamera 4 delivers 18 mpg city/26 highway, numbers that are no doubt appealing to consumers who demand driving excitement and fuel efficiency.

The Panamera and Panamera 4 MSRPs are $74,400 and $78,900, excluding destination.

Porsche Intelligent Performance = no gas guzzler penalty Like every Porsche, the Panamera and Panamera 4 were developed according to the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy -- more performance on less fuel, increased efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. U.S. models come standard with the revolutionary Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed double-clutch gearbox and the Auto Start Stop function that saves fuel and reduces emissions by turning the engine off when it is not needed, such as sitting at a stop light. Like all Porsches except the 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS, neither is subject to a gas-guzzler tax. And both meet the strict EU5 emission standard in Europe and the LEV standard in the United States.

Porsche has always focused on superior efficiency and performance, and in the case of these new Panamera models these long-held tenets are not mutually exclusive. One example is consistent lightweight construction with the axles, doors, hood, front fenders and tailgate all made of aluminum. Likewise, the Porsche V6 is about 66 lbs. lighter than the V8, which contributes to the low overall curb weight of just 3,880 lbs. (1,730 kg) for the Panamera with the PDK transmission.

Like the proven V8 models, both the Panamera and the Panamera 4, as genuine Gran Turismos, combine a sporting character with a high standard of comfort and everyday driving qualities. Steel suspension is standard, and variable dampers and adaptive air suspension with additional air volume on demand are optional. This provides a wide range of suspension qualities and features, with a high level of motoring comfort on the one hand and extremely sporting driving dynamics on the other. Other standard equipment includes an electric moonroof and power liftgate, the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with navigation, Bi-Xenon™ headlights, Bluetooth® telephone connectivity, and the universal audio interface to connect an external audio source such as an iPod or a USB stick with the PCM system.

MANSORY Porsche Panamera Turbo

MANSORY Porsche Panamera Turbo

MANSORY Porsche Panamera Turbo
MANSORY Porsche Panamera Turbo

MANSORY modification into a dynamic highlight: the new front skirt with adapted LED daytime running lights in combination with the striking bonnet made of carbon fibre give the front section a distinctive character.

Masculine broadenings for the wings and doors perfectly harmonise with the new side skirts. At the back of this four-door-car, an enormous carbon diffuser and the centrally located double end pipes of the sports exhaust system render a thrilling atmosphere. MANSORY decorates the originally hydraulic rear with carbon applications or entirely replaces it with a static wing profile made of carbon. The engineers produce the new aerodynamics components in high-strength polyurethane (PU-RIM) and Prepreg-Autoclav-Carbon, the characteristic material for MANSORY.

In addition to the exciting look, the MANSORY engine department developed a powerful performance enhancement for the 4.8 litre turbo engine. The power pack contains an amended engine electronics, larger turbo chargers and a stainless steel sports exhaust system. Thanks to these modifications, the engine output rises to an astonishing 690 hp / 507 kW (serial: 500 hp / 368 kW) and pushes the torque to 700 Nm at 4800 r.p.m. Therefore, the 4WD-automobile accelerates from 0 to 100 km/ in only four seconds and achieves a top speed of 328 km/h (serial: 303 km/h).

The wheel-tyre combination has been especially designed for Porsche and renders sufficient grip: The latest development and highlight in the offered rim programme is an especially light 22-inch forged wheel in turbine design. At the front axle, the 9 inch wide wheels carry the high performance wheels Dunlop SP SportMaxx in the dimension 265/30ZR22 while the rear 10-inch wide wheels are equipped with tyres measuring 295/25ZR22.

Porsche Panamera Rivage GT 970

Porsche Panamera Rivage GT 970

Porsche Panamera Rivage GT 970

Porsche Panamera is getting quite famous in the aftermarket customization area and the German experts at Hofele are presenting us their latest masterpiece, based exactly on that ride. Dubbed Hofele Rivage GT 970, the masterful conversion boasts bolder yet unobtrusive new body-styling backed by massive 22-inch five-spoke design Chrono rims, a high-speed sport brakes kit as well as a lowering module.