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The astonishing life and legacy of Ferdinand Porsche

The auto pioneer's extraordinary career and lasting influence
Ferdinand Porsche is born in Maffersdorf, Austria-Hungary
Ferdinand Porsche's apprenticeship and obsession with electricity
Ferdinand Porsche's electric education and first job
Ferdinand Porsche impresses at Béla Egger
The Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton aka the Porsche P1
The Lohner-Porsche Elektromobil
The world's first four-wheel drive car
The world's first hybrid car
Ferdinand Porsche's ill-fated royal fan
The Lohner-Porsche Mixte flops
Ferdinand Porsche's visionary innovations
Ferdinand Porsche's early Austro-Daimler triumphs
Ferdinand Porsche excels at Austro-Daimler
Ferdinand Porsche's Mercedes-Benz models
Ferdinand Porsche's brief stint at Steyr
Ferdinand Porsche establishes his own firm
Porsche's first major order
The budget Porsche Type 12 for Zündapp
Ferdinand Porsche designs the precursor to the Volkswagen Beetle
Hitler's plan for a
Porsche creates the Type 60 prototype
Hitler orders the construction of the VW plant and the first Volkswagen is launched
Porsche's 1930s racing prowess
Porsche's controversial wartime activities
Ferdinand Porsche's later years
Volkswagen's remarkable rise
Porsche's phenomenal ascent
Ferdinand Porsche's impact on popular culture
The Porsche-Piëch family's business acumen and enormous net worth
Ferdinand Porsche's complex legacy
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INTERFOTO/Alamy Stock Photo

The auto pioneer's extraordinary career and lasting influence

Ferdinand Porsche was a visionary engineer who left an indelible stamp on the automotive world and was pivotal in shaping the modern motorcar. Beyond founding the luxury marque that bears his name, he designed the iconic Volkswagen Beetle and was responsible for several groundbreaking innovations.

However, Porsche's reputation is tarnished by his involvement with the Nazi regime and his role in World War II. Read on to discover the complex life and controversial legacy of Ferdinand Porsche. 

All dollar amounts in US dollars

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Daniel Coughlin

25 April 2025

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