At the age of 23, Ferdinand Porsche created four examples of the Porsche P1 model. In that era, electric cars outperformed internal combustion engine vehicles in most respects, so the debut work of the famous engineer was indeed an electric car.
Like other vehicles of that period, the first "Porsche" outwardly resembled a horseless carriage, supplemented by a steering wheel. Power was transmitted to the rear drive axle through a system of gears, and the range was enough for 50 kilometers.
This carriage had quite respectable power for its time — 3 hp. Ferdinand also had one interesting feature: for a short time, the engine output could be increased by almost double — by 2 hp. Thanks to this, the Porsche P1 accelerated to 35.5 km/h.
Looking at this design, it is hard to believe that in 1899 the P1 started in a 40-kilometer electric car race and was among the few participants who managed to reach the finish line!
The discovered rarity was handed over to restorers, after which it will take its place in the Porsche museum exhibition in Stuttgart.
