Miguel Sánchez
Photographs: Corporate Archives Porsche AG
We've said it many times: "Purists don't pay bills". And it is that, although it costs to accept it, many extreme sports cars only manage to get ahead thanks to the diversification of products. In that sense, the best example is the Porsche 911. Just naming it evokes the most established sports saga in all of European motorsports. An undeniable myth that, despite eight generations, still retains its clearest and most original hallmark: the engine hanging behind the rear axle. A car that, while being the most celebrated by the brand's purists, I would never have survived without the earnings brought in by the 928, 944 or Panamera.
All of them severely criticized by the narrow-minded fans, who saw in the 928 a sacrilege for its front engine and an offense in the Panamera for its four doors. However, what many of them don't know is that the 911 has its origin in what was to be a four-seater Porsche. Yes, an interesting fact that helps to put distance for all kinds of affirmations as emphatic as little argued. And it is that, at the beginning of the 50 Porsche contemplated the possibility of expanding the range of the 356 with two models - sedan and convertible - with long wheelbase and four real seats.
For this they had the help of Reutter. The historic Sttutgart bodybuilder who had already done some interesting work on aluminum in the 1951s. Joining forces, in XNUMX they began the process that should lead to the creation of two prototypes for each of these four-seater Porsche. However, and due to reasons of commercial strategy, the Type530 project only got to see the light of the two units planned for the sedan. But be careful, because investigating the history of its chassis number we come to a very interesting discovery.
TYPE530. THE FOUR SEAT PORSCHE THAT WANTED TO DIVERSIFY THE MARKET
At the beginning of the 50s, Porsche's accounts were established due to its projection in the American market. So things, in Sttutgart they thought how to diversify the range to cover more segments. An interesting business idea, which would help profits along with the income from the consultancy that Porsche exercised developing products for other brands. In this context, and based on the successful 356, the idea arose to create the first four-seater Porsche.
In fact, the first two. And is that the project consisted of lengthening the chassis of the 356 to body a sedan and a convertible with four real seats. Undoubtedly an interesting concept, since beyond creating a new model, everything revolved around offering two more variants of the only series vehicle produced by the brand until the arrival of the 911. At this point, and wrapped in the utmost secrecy , Reutter and Porsche hold the first meetings in 1951. In fact, on November 9, Porsche commissioned engineers Franz Xaver Reimpiess and August Klie to represent the brand in front of Walter Beierbach, Reutter's chief designer.
Working at a fierce pace, they manage to have the designs finished by the following month. Something that we corroborate by examining the internal note issued on December 29, in which Porsche gives order to assemble "as fast as possible". Of course, giving priority to the sedan since, in fact, the order to build the convertible would not arrive until January 29 of the following year. Just a month later. Decision that came by technical criteria, since the windows gave many headaches in terms of fit and aerodynamics.
FROM FOUR-SEAT PORSCHE PROTOTYPE TO 911 EMBRYO
Seeking to create the first four-seater Porsche, the 356's chassis wheelbase was lengthened to 2.400 millimeters. At which point we arrive at a very interesting number: 12201. That of the frame with which, mounting a 1-liter four-cylinder engine, the only prototype of the four proposed was completed. The four-seater Porsche sedan you see in the photos. The only one that saw the light fully operational, since in the spring of 1952 Porsche decided to cancel the Type530 project for two reasons.
The first comes from certain market studies that ultimately did not bode well for a sedan. Something in which they were possibly not wrong. In fact, as a sample is what happened to Alpine with its A110 GT4. The second lies in the agreement that Porsche signed with Studebaker in early 1952, con el objetivo de develop a four-door model for the American company. And, as we said before, for Porsche its consulting service to other brands was as important as its own range. Given this situation, the normal thing is what ended up happening: development of the Type530 was canceled, ending with the possible serialization of this four-seater Porsche.
However, the history of the 12201 chassis follows an interesting course. Sent to the Porsche factory, it is used months later by Alexander Porsche - Ferry's son and grandson of the founder - as the basis for building the 695. Better known as the T7 prototype. Against his father's wishes, Alexander undertook the construction of the T7 already thinking about the 911. So check out where the Type530 chassis ended up. A most ironic finish for all those who reject the four-seater Porsche believing they defend the essence of the 911. Since the T7 -considered a 911 prototype- is a 2 + 2 despite having cut the chassis 100mm compared to the Type530 . Surprises
P.S: this article would not have been possible without the kindness of Tobias Mauler. Worker of Porsche Museum that diligently sent us all the necessary documentation for it. All photos are courtesy of the Porsche Historical Archive / Corporate Archives Porsche AG
