Porsche Was Not Always Exclusively About Cars

The famous German brand Porsche did not start as a car manufacturer. In fact, its history goes far beyond sports cars and racing legends.

Initially, founder Ferdinand worked for several brands before becoming independent. Eventually, he created a technical design office, known today as Porsche Engineering. Through this office, he offered engineering services across a wide range of industries.

The renowned engineer collaborated with major names in the automotive world, including Carl Benz. He began his career at Lohner as a coachbuilder, where he designed his first vehicles. Later, he moved to Austro-Daimler and built a small coupé called the Sascha, which achieved notable sporting success.

At Mercedes, Porsche took charge of developing the company’s first supercharged engines, known as Mercedes Compressor. Under his leadership, iconic models such as the Mercedes S, SS, and SSK were created.

After a brief period at Steyr, Ferdinand founded his design office in Stuttgart. This step marked the foundation of Porsche Engineering and laid the groundwork for the future Porsche brand.

Since then, working on third-party projects has remained a core pillar of Porsche’s business. The brand expanded far beyond cars, contributing to tractors, engines for other manufacturers, vehicle design, trains, and even tanks.

Porsche also participated in government projects, including the development of the Volkswagen Beetle, often referred to as the “eternal Porsche.”

Porsche During World War II

During World War II, worked on several military projects. These included the Tiger tank and multiple military versions of the Volkswagen, such as all-terrain and amphibious vehicles.

After the war ended, relocated its technical office to Austria. At that time, automotive projects were scarce. As a result, the company produced water pumps, winches, ski lifts, mower attachments, and tractors.

Notably, the first Porsche vehicle was a tractor.

During this period, French authorities imprisoned Ferdinand, along with his son Ferry and son-in-law Anton Piëch. His partial release came through collaboration on the development of the Renault 4/4.

Ferry Porsche, released after six months, restarted the engineering office and pushed the company forward.

The Birth of the Porsche Brand

Later, the Italian company Cisitalia brought Porsche back into the automotive world. It commissioned a four-wheel-drive Grand Prix car and a two-seat mid-engine sports car. Also designed a tractor and a water turbine as part of the deal.

With the income from these projects, Ferry Porsche revived a small sports car concept originally designed for Volkswagen. This effort led to the creation of the Porsche 356, the brand’s first production car.

The Porsche brand emerged out of necessity, helping save the family business.

Work for third parties continued to support Porsche’s growth. Developments for the Beetle and the five German marks paid by VW for each unit produced helped finance the company’s expansion.

Through Porsche Engineering, the company collaborated again with Mercedes. This partnership resulted in the Mercedes E 500 V8, a true product of both brands.

Engineering Beyond Cars

Porsche’s projects span a remarkable range. They include forklifts for Linde and air cab concepts developed through Porsche Consulting.

The company even built a Formula 1 engine. The famous TAG Porsche engine, installed in McLaren cars, powered world championship victories with Niki Lauda and Alain Prost.

Beyond motorsport, contributed to light aircraft, helped design the cockpit of the Airbus A310, and developed the engine for the Harley-Davidson V-Rod. It also engineered a compact underwater vehicle known as the Cayago Seabod.

And you—did you know all this about Porsche?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

✅ Was Porsche always a car manufacturer?
➡️ No. Began as an engineering and design office, working on industrial, mechanical, and automotive projects before producing cars.

✅ What was the first vehicle made by Porsche?
➡️ The first vehicle was a tractor, built during the post–World War II period.

✅ What is Porsche Engineering?
➡️ Engineering is the company’s consulting and technical division, offering engineering services to third parties since its founding.

✅ Did Porsche help design the Volkswagen Beetle?
➡️ Yes. Ferdinand played a major role in developing the Volkswagen Beetle.

✅ Has Porsche worked outside the automotive industry?
➡️ Yes. Has worked on aircraft, trains, military vehicles, motorcycles, industrial equipment, and underwater vehicles.

✅ Did Porsche ever build a Formula 1 engine?
➡️ Yes. Developed the TAG Porsche F1 engine, which helped McLaren win championships with Niki Lauda and Alain Prost.

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