Porsche History

[Harry R Glesner III <hglesner@ast.lmco.com>]

Glen: 
et al:
   Ferdinan Porsche worked for many different companys from Astro Damler to Benz 
in Stutgart. The engineering firm that was established "about" 1932 (need to 
check my library) was independent and continues as independent today. That 
engineering firm designed cars for NSU, Wanderer (sp? sorry),and designed the VW 
Beetle for the Nazis. Not to mention the 16 cylinder Auto Union Grand Prix car. 
The original prototypes were built in the Porsche famile garage. The follow on 
prototype cars were built by Benz in Stutgart, these are the cars that the SS 
had to try to drive into the ground i.e. make fail, and the cars didn't fail. 
For me one of the most interesting cars was the 60k10 the Berlin/Rome race car. 
A very aerodynamic aluminum body on a VW chassis. Since the race was to be run 
in September of 1939, it was never run. Three of the cars were build one became 
Ferdinan's on personal car, one was left as Zel am Zee and distroyed by the 
Americans there after the war (had to much fun with it, and broke their toy) the 
third is said to just have been lost during the war. I personally feel this was 
the first real Porsche sports car and not the Gumund cars.
   The history of this company is a wonderful read, to think such a small band 
of automotive revolutionaries produced so much change. From 23 million Beetles, 
the 356, 911,906,908, 917, 962, 959 to the 996 and Boxter, the future look most 
bright.
   Dr Pech is the grandson of Ferdinan Porsche's sister, and had much to do with 
Porsche rise to power in international motorsport. Then went on to Audi coming 
up with the quattro consept and  rally program. He will lead VW/Audi onto many 
great things to come.
   
Rick Glesner
Littleton, Colorado
USA