In any case, the 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1 has an aluminum roadster body, designed by-Erwin Komenda. The production of the design was quite fast—it only took him one month. Komenda-was a noted designer for VW Bettle and Porsche, and he was responsible for the Porsche 550 Spyder-and the Porsche type 356. Before his death, he even worked on Porsche’s most prized car-designs—the Porsche 911. After the design was completed, it was first tested for the road in-June. The 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1 is a two-door sports car with a mid-engine design. 

That the 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1 has a mid-engine design is very telling, even those days. Back then, most cars are rear-engined; mid-engine designs are usually reserved for racing cars, since designers think the mid-engine design is not very safe for the usual driving. Does this mean that the 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1-was intended for competition rather than consumer use? Perhaps not—the 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1-was derived from the Volkswagen design, which usually employs the mid-engine and rear-engine car designs. Both Komenda and Porsche worked for Volkswagen way before the company began-producing cars. 

The 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1 became the prototype for the Porsche 356, which was the-very first production model of Porsche. There are some notable differences in the design; the 1948-Porsche 356 No. 1 is a roadster; the very first Porsche 356 is a two-door couple, followed by a two-door convertible. Still, the production model of the 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1 did not immediately-create stir from the buying public. It was already in the late 50s when the 356 became renowned for-its quality, handling, and aerodynamics—characteristics that will be key features of the-succeeding Porsche creations. Also, because of these characteristics, the 356 became a common racing-and sports car, although Porsche would get racing renown much later with a different-model. 

Indeed, the 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1 started it for Porsche. By the time the 356-ceased production in 1965, more than 70,000 units were already produced. And not only that; the-successor of the 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1 and the Porsche 356 became the most renowned sports car-ever—the Porsche 911. This only proves that without the 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1, the much-acclaimed Porsche 911 will not exist as well. 

Looking at the 1948 Porsche 356 No. 1, it is easy to see how far Porsche has-changed and improved.

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