Porsche Typ 64: The Rare Classic That Shaped an Iconic Legacy

Legacy Machine - Before the world knew Porsche as the creator of sleek, high-performance sports cars, the brand’s story quietly began with a vehicle that was never meant for the showroom floor. Long before the roar of engines echoed through racetracks bearing the Porsche emblem, one car laid the foundation for everything that followed. This car wasn’t born from the desire to impress collectors or dominate luxury markets—it was built with a vision of pushing boundaries and blending form with function in ways the world had never seen. That car was the Porsche Typ 64.

The Porsche Typ 64, fully built in 1939, was the first Porsche car and was personally designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche.(Picture from: CarVaganza)

Built in 1939, the Porsche Typ 64 wasn’t just the first vehicle to carry the Porsche name—it was the origin of an engineering legacy. Designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche himself, the car took its roots from the humble Volkswagen Beetle, which he also helped create. But this was no ordinary Beetle derivative. With aerodynamic curves and a racing spirit baked into its very form, the Typ 64 was meant to compete in a road race from Berlin to Rome. However, that dream was cut short. Just as the car was ready, war erupted in Europe, and the event was scrapped before a wheel could turn in competition.

The third unit of the 1939 Porsche Typ 64 (shown here in the center before restoration) was kept by Ferry Porsche, who had it restored to its original condition by Pininfarina in 1947, then sold it in 1949 to motorcycle racer Otto Mathé. (Picture from: Ojonoticias)

Only three Typ 64s were ever made. Of those, the first was destroyed in an accident before the race could even take place. The remaining two cars were kept by the Porsche family during the war years, serving as private vehicles for Dr. Porsche and his son, Ferry. These cars were more than machines—they were symbols of innovation preserved through chaos. 

The 1939 Porsche Typ 64, driven by Austrian racer Otto Mathé, proved its capabilities by winning the 1950 Alpine Rally. (Picture from: Ojonoticias)

Sadly, not all survived unscathed. The second unit was discovered by American soldiers after the war, its roof cut off and the rest eventually left in ruins. But the third car, with chassis number 38/41, endured. It passed into Ferry Porsche’s care, and in 1948, when the Porsche brand officially emerged with its first production model, the 356, it was this car that bore the Porsche script on its nose. From that moment, the Typ 64 became more than a prototype—it became the very first car to wear the Porsche nameplate.

The Porsche Typ 64, rooted in the humble Volkswagen Beetle, was no ordinary derivative, featuring aerodynamic curves and a racing spirit built for the Berlin-to-Rome road race. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)

After the company’s foundation, the Typ 64 found its way to Austrian motorcycle racer Otto Mathé, who not only raced it but also cherished and preserved it until his death in 1995. The car later went to Thomas Gruber, a renowned Porsche expert and close friend of Mathé. Despite its early struggles and quiet origins, the Typ 64 lived on through the hands of people who deeply understood its importance. 

The Porsche Typ 64 offers a glimpse into 1930s automotive craftsmanship through its uniquely styled interior and dashboard layout. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)

In 2019, the car made headlines again when RM Sotheby’s announced it would be auctioned at Monterey Car Week in California. Though no price estimate was officially released, many believed the vehicle could fetch around $20 million, possibly becoming the most valuable Porsche in existence. In preparation for the auction, a promotional film was made featuring champion driver and filmmaker Jeff Zwart alongside Porsche factory racer Patrick Long. They brought the Typ 64 to the Willow Springs Raceway, and what they discovered behind the wheel surprised even them.

The 1939 Porsche Typ 64 is powered by an upgraded 1,100 cc engine that produces between 32 and 40 horsepower. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)

Long was taken aback by the car’s modern feel despite its age. He spoke of its handling, aerodynamics, and weight distribution—all elements that reminded him of today’s Porsche 911. The seat position even gave him the sensation of being a fighter pilot. For a car over 80 years old, the Typ 64 felt alive, precise, and astonishingly relevant.

The 1939 Porsche Typ 64, with its featherlight weight of just 618.7 kilograms, delivered performance that was impressive for its time. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)

Technically, the car remains fascinating. Though based on the VW Beetle chassis, the frame was heavily reinforced and paired with an upgraded 1,100cc engine producing between 32 and 40 horsepower. That might sound modest today, but considering the car’s featherlight weight of just 618.7 kilograms, the performance was more than respectable for its time. And its design? Purpose-built for speed, carved by the wind, and crafted by a man who would unknowingly shape the future of sports cars.

What makes the Typ 64 so compelling isn’t just its rarity or value. It’s the way it bridges the past and future of automotive engineering. Without it, there would be no 356, no 911, and perhaps no Porsche as we know it today. This car is a quiet reminder that innovation sometimes begins with a whisper, not a bang. A whisper that would one day become the roar of engines on circuits around the world. *** [EKA [22082019] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORAUTHORITY | OJONOTICIAS | CONIFERA IN X ]hone.

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