porsche type 64, panamera, and type 356

I bag on Germans but I get to. I’m German. Third American-born generation. There are things I really dig about Germany, mostly automotive: Mercedes-Benz gull-wings, Volkswagen microbuses, BMW R-model motorbikes, and Porsches.

1938 porsche type 64

According to literature provided by the Porsche Museum, “the Type 64 is of very special significance to the history of the Porsche brand: Built in 1938/39 under the guidance of Ferdinand Porsche, this unique car already had all the features that make sports cars from Zuffenhausen so very special the world over to this day: lightweight construction and superior aerodynamics, exceptional performance, reliable technology, and that unique design so characteristic of a Porsche.”

Originally developed for the Berlin-Rome long-distance race, the Type 64 never entered a race in its lifetime because Hitler was a jerk, Mussolini bit his weenie, and the 64 never worked. But the car marks an essential milestone en route to the first car to wear the Porsche name; the 356 built in 1948.

As you can see by the auto’s lines, the Type 64’s streamlined aluminum body has influenced Porsche’s current sports cars including the 911 to the Panamera.

2010 porsche panamera type 970

Every once in a while I find a pic of the following hot rod Porsche 356 and posted one in a friday’s post of cool stuff a few months ago. Last night I found three more killer shots.

Yay.

Get the best of bikerMetric directly in your inbox, once a week, every week.