What the 1939 Type 64 Porsche Is and Why It Matters
The 1939 Type 64 Porsche is the earliest Porsche-branded automobile and an important link between the engineering background of Ferdinand Porsche and early German racing practice. Built primarily as a development mule and high-speed research platform for what would become the Volkswagen Beetle, Type 64 also underpinned Auto Union's early streamlined racing efforts. It is not a production model, but a series of two or three bespoke road and track machines derived from the contemporaneous Volkswagen components. Understanding Type 64 clarifies Porsche’s design continuity, prewar innovation, and the technical lineage that shaped later Auto Union racers.
Origins and Development Context
In the late 1930s, Ferdinand Porsche’s design office in Stuttgart was deeply involved in refining the so-called Volkswagenwagen, which would later become the Beetle. The Type 64 cars emerged from this work, created in 1938–1939 as lightweight, aerodynamic testbeds. The project was connected to the 1938 Berlin–Rome race, for which streamlined versions of the car were prepared. While never intended for series production, Type 64 embodied key innovations—backbone chassis, rear-engine layout, and Volkswagen-sourced mechanicals—that would define Porsche engineering for decades.
Key Development Drivers
- Volkswagen Beetle refinement and durability testing
- High-speed aerodynamics research for streamlined touring and racing
- Prestige entries in long-distance events such as the 1938 Berlin–Rome race
Technical Specifications and Build Details
Type 64 used a modified Volkswagen Beetle chassis and air-cooled flat-four engine, enlarged to approximately 1,131 cc and tuned for higher output. The cars employed a manual transaxle layout, rear-wheel drive, and a ladder-type backbone chassis wrapped in lightweight aluminum bodywork. Exact numbers are difficult to pin down, but historians generally recognize two or three distinct bodies and chassis, with a small production run for competition and demonstration purposes. The focus on low drag and high efficiency made Type 64 an early example of systematic aerodynamic optimization in Porsche design.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Air-cooled flat-four, derived from Volkswagen Beetle | Manufacturer and period technical documents |
| Displacement | Approximately 1,131 cc | Archived technical notes |
| Layout | Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive via transaxle | Factory drawings and period road tests |
| Chassis | Backbone chassis with ladder reinforcement | Porsche and Auto Union archives |
| Body | Lightweight aluminum, streamlined shapes | Period photographs and technical reports |
| Estimated Output | Around 30–40 hp, with higher rpm than standard Beetle | Contemporary test data |
Relationship to Auto Union and Racing
Auto Union—the conglomerate that included Audi’s predecessors—drew heavily on Porsche engineering in the late 1930s. The Type 64 chassis and drivetrain informed Auto Union’s early streamlined racing cars, establishing a direct technical lineage. At the 1938 Berlin–Rome race, streamlined Porsche-derived cars showcased the benefits of low drag and robust Volkswagen-based mechanics. Although not a race winner, the Type 64 program provided crucial data on stability, cooling, and tire behavior at speed, shaping subsequent Grand Prix designs. The project sits at the intersection of Porsche’s commercial Beetle work and Auto Union’s competitive ambitions.
Notable Features in Racing Context
- Compact, rigid backbone chassis for torsional stiffness
- Rear-mounted engine for optimal weight distribution at speed
- Käfer-based powertrain, proven reliable over long distances
- Carefully shaped bodywork to reduce drag coefficient
Performance Characteristics and Driving Dynamics
With around 30–40 horsepower from its tuned flat-four, the Type 64 was modest by modern standards but respectable for the late 1930s. The rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout concentrated mass behind the axles, improving traction on loose surfaces but making high-speed handling sensitive. Aerodynamic efficiency allowed for higher top speeds and reduced driver fatigue on long events, such as the multi-day Berlin–Rome race. Braking relied on drum brakes all around, typical of the period, while the lightweight aluminum body helped keep curb weight in check.
Legacy and Influence on Later Porsche Models
Type 64 is widely regarded as the conceptual ancestor of the Porsche 356 and, by extension, the entire Porsche sports car lineage. Its lessons in packaging a rear-engine, air-cooled drivetrain within a lightweight, aerodynamic envelope informed decisions on the 356, 550 Spyder, and early 911 concepts. The emphasis on durability, efficiency, and torsional rigidity carried forward into every generation of Porsche road cars and racing prototypes. Even as Porsche later embraced water-cooled layouts and mid-engine configurations, the underlying philosophy of combining technical conservatism with incremental innovation can be traced back to Type 64.
Lasting Technical Themes
- Continuity of rear-engine, air-cooled layout in early Porsche road cars
- Use of proven Beetle components to reduce development risk and cost
- Systematic focus on aerodynamics as a performance and efficiency tool
- Evolution of the backbone chassis into later Porsche racing designs
Preservation and Collector Interest
Today, surviving examples of Type 64 are exceedingly rare and are treated as significant pieces of Porsche heritage rather than mainstream sports cars. Most known specimens are in museum collections or private holdings of major Porsche and Auto Union archives. Because Type 64 bridges prewar engineering and postwar sports car development, it attracts strong interest from historians, concours entrants, and collectors who value technical innovation and continuity. Market valuations are highly variable and depend on authenticity, documentation, and the degree of originality, making verified provenance essential for any serious study or acquisition consideration.
Conclusion
The 1939 Type 64 Porsche is best understood as a pivotal development car that translated Beetle-derived engineering into streamlined, high-speed research and racing applications. Its chassis, powertrain, and aerodynamic solutions directly shaped Auto Union’s early racing machines and established design principles that would guide Porsche for generations. Because it represents the earliest expression of Porsche’s core layout and philosophy, Type 64 remains a foundational artifact in the brand’s technical history, worthy of detailed study by enthusiasts, engineers, and historians alike.