Missing For 112 Years, First Porsche Is Found In Warehouse

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: National Public Radio and Porsche

Even the famed German automaker concedes that it "may resemble an old horse-drawn carriage."

But the recently rediscovered "first Porsche in the world" — dubbed the P1 — was a technological marvel for its time. It "included a compact electric drive weighing 286 pounds," writes the automotive newssite Jalopnik, and could chug along at 22 mph.

The car was found, according to Porsche, in an Austrian warehouse where it had apparently been left untouched since 1902.



Read more: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/01/29/268186276/missing-for-112-years-first-porsche-is-found-in-warehouse

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And it's electric!

I have to admit that when I saw that there had been a Porsche barn find, I was expecting something a little ... different. At least it has an air-cooled rear engine. Purists can breathe a sigh of relief.

Important edit: No, it does not have a rear engine. The engine's in the front, and the rear wheels are steered. Sacrilege!

The First Porsche in the World - the Return of the "P1"

The Egger-Lohner C.2 electric vehicle

The first Lohner electric vehicle developed with the help of Ferdinand Porsche was presented in 1898 at an exhibition for the newly founded Austrian Automobile Club. With an electric motor installed transversely between the front wheels and steered rear wheels, this electric vehicle was still far from being ready for series production. The vehicle concept was discarded and other test vehicles were built - this time in line with the ideas developed by young Ferdinand Porsche, who favoured front wheel stub axle steering and the electric motor at the rear of a Lohner carriage. The result of Ferdinand Porsche's vision, the Egger-Lohner C.2 electric vehicle, rolled onto the streets of Vienna for the first time on June 26, 1898, and Ferdinand Porsche made sure that he would take credit for the vehicle's design in a most unusual manner: He engraved the code P1 (P for Porsche, number 1) onto all of the key components, thus giving the vehicle its unofficial name.

Porsche's First Car Found After Being Left In A Shed For 112 Years

[grasswire]

1. what a story!

Love it.

[adirondacker]

2. Cool! Porsche has come a long way.

If i was born rich, I'd have one.

[Orrex]

4. That newer model does a better job of keeping bugs out of one's teeth.

[adirondacker]

5. I often wondered why any motorcyclist would want to ride without a helmet and face shield. :)

[AtheistCrusader]

7. Free protein.

[awoke_in_2003]

8. I ride with a 3/4 helmet...

and put a face shield on only when cold. I also keep my mouth closed while riding

[adirondacker]

9. I used to ride with a 3/4 lid when I was younger and have unpleasant memories of getting smacked

in the face at 70 with a variety of beetles that take up their residence here. I rode a KLR 650 a few years ago and the first thing I invested in was a Shoei Multitec. The bugs up here are ruthless and any distractions are fatal when watching for deer.

I could see riding in the desert without one though.

[awoke_in_2003]

10. I have a touch of claustrapobia...

I have tried many times to buy a full face. I try one on, but before I can even strap it I have to take it off. I may see if hypnotherapy can fix that.

[adirondacker]

12. I fortunately don't have a problem with claustrophobia, but can understand where that can come into

play. One of the problems I had with cheaper helmets was the peripheral vision. The Multitec was extremely comfortable with excellent visibility and cooling. You can also flip the chin guard up when resting. To me it was more of a comfort thing. I can't stand to wear hats, even in winter. I've tried several helmets out, and the Shoei was the only one that was comfortable for me. With that said, different helmets fit different faces.

[House of Roberts]

3. Amazing engineering for a 22 year old.

I've owned Porsches for 32 years. A book by Karl Ludvigsen, Excellence was Expected, tells about Ferdinand Porsche's early stint at Lohner, where he also built a very early gas-electric hybrid, with electric motors in the wheel hubs. He designed a two wheel drive and a four wheel drive version of the hybrid.

[unc70]

6. Porsche by Design at NC Museum of Art

This is the final week for an incredible exhibit.

http://ncartmuseum.org/exhibition/porsche-by-design-seducing-speed

[ThoughtCriminal]

11. Turns out the valets borrowed it for a while

[Puzzledtraveller]

13. neat!

[Heather MC]

14. Most cars were electric back then but...

Gasoline won out, even though gas powered cars were dirtier and louder. imagine if electric powered cars had won

[frylock]

15. nice stance

[riversedge]

16. umm. kinda looks like santa's sled with big wheels.

[jakeXT]

17. Seinfeld should use it next time he picks up a comedian

http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/jay-leno-comedy-is-a-concealed-weapon

[adirondacker]

20. Ha! That was fun. Thanks for posting. nt

[bluedigger]

18. Must have rode like a wagon with those low profile tires.

Nice rims though.

[tammywammy]

19. Cool story! n/t

[flvegan]

21. At least it doesn't resemble a Beetle.

[Octafish]

22. Engine's still in the back.

Der Balanz.

Edit: Took the Doctor's P2 to realize they had it correct the first time, they just changed D to R.