Yes... you read that right. Porsche’s first mid-engine car was the 356... and here it is:
![Illustration for article titled Porsches first mid-engine car... the 356](./k2rebrumloep7spqi9hu.png)
![Illustration for article titled Porsches first mid-engine car... the 356](./avwpniqespmvxz6k3s7o.png)
![Illustration for article titled Porsches first mid-engine car... the 356](./gxqw1jjoo32pmatw8bg5.png)
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Specifically, this is Porsche 356 #1... built in Gmünd, Austria in 1948.
It’s also the first car with the Porsche brand name.
And the 1131cc H4 was good for about 35HP.
This is literally a one-off build.
All the others that came after had the engine behind the rear axle.
Have a look at the rear of these 356 “pre-A” examples and see how it compares. Here is a 1954 model:
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![Illustration for article titled Porsches first mid-engine car... the 356](./qomotehc96vdxlapdxpl.jpg)
And a 1952 model:
![Illustration for article titled Porsches first mid-engine car... the 356](./ljxdch54p8wqcqtxxduu.png)
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And 356 #2 that was built in 1948:
![Illustration for article titled Porsches first mid-engine car... the 356](./jxdvib7cbpeshggc3iim.png)