Long before Porsche became synonymous with high-performance sports cars, the visionary engineer Ferdinand Porsche crafted a groundbreaking vehicle known as the Type 64, or the VW Aerocoupe. Designed in 1939 for a daring 1,500-kilometer race from Berlin to Rome, this car symbolized innovation and speed. However, the outbreak of World War II abruptly canceled the race, and only three Type 64 prototypes were ever produced. Today, these rare vehicles are shrouded in history and mystery, with only one surviving the chaos of the war.
The Fate of the Three Prototypes
The first Type 64, identified as Chassis No. 1, was a marvel of ultra-streamlined aluminum design. Unfortunately, it met a tragic end shortly after its creation when it was crashed by a managing director of the German Labor Front. Instead of being preserved as a historic artifact, this pioneering car was dismantled for parts, and its structural frame was lost forever.
Chassis No. 2 had a more tumultuous journey. Stored at the Porsche family estate in Zell am See, Austria, it was discovered by advancing American troops near the war’s end. Unaware of its value, the soldiers notoriously chopped off its roof to convert it into a convertible and drove it until the engine failed. Ultimately, this prototype was scrapped and crushed, erasing another piece of automotive heritage.
Remarkably, only Chassis No. 3 survived intact, preserving a vital link to Porsche’s pre-war innovation and serving as a testament to the brand’s enduring legacy. The story of the lost Type 64s underscores the fragile nature of automotive history and the perils that great designs sometimes face.
Legacy of the Type 64
The Porsche Type 64 stands as a symbol of what might have been—a pioneering spirit halted by the tides of global conflict. Its streamlined design and engineering foresight laid foundations that would later influence Porsche’s iconic vehicles. While two of the original three prototypes were lost to history, their story remains a poignant reminder of innovation interrupted and the resilience of automotive passion.
