Meet the Type 597, Porsche’s First 4×4
Porsche has always excelled in every category, even in the early days of the brand.
Believe it or not, the Cayenne wasn’t Porsche’s first attempt at building an off-road utility vehicle. Back in 1953, the Bundeswehr, Germany’s post-war armed forces, requested a prototype for a light off-road vehicle.
Prototypes were submitted by three companies: Auto Union/DKW, Borgward/Goliath, and Porsche. The Porsche proposal, the Type 597 Jagdwagen, demonstrated a uniquely Porsche-like take on the “German Jeep” concept.
Weighing just under 2,000 pounds, the Type 597 was powered by a 50 horsepower engine adapted from the 356, mounted in the rear (naturally). It was tough and nimble off road, and was capable of cruising at an impressive 60 miles per hour. owing to its monocoque body shell and light weight, it was capable of fording small rivers and streams by literally floating on the surface.
Impressively, the Jagdwagen could scale a 65 degree incline with relative ease, owing in part to its four-wheel drive system and extra low off-road transmission gear in addition to the traditional four-speed layout.
After a long development process, Porsche was approved to begin series production in the closing months of 1957. Unfortunately, owing to budgetary concerns, the contract was ultimately awarded to Auto Union.
With just 71 units produced in total, the Type 597 Jagdwagen is one of the rarest of the early Porsches. While it’s certainly not among the most attractive, it’s among the most interesting, deserving far more than a mere footnote in history.
With around 50 still in existence, it has an impressive survival rate, owing in part to its ruggedness as well as its considerable historical significance, not only to Porsche enthusiasts but to military vehicle collectors as well.
As has almost always been the case, Porsche aims to be the best at whatever they put their minds to. The cost for such excellence won’t be low, but it will be more than reasonable for the performance achieved. unfortunately, in the military, when procurement often falls onto the lowest bidder, Porsche was a poor fit.
Join the Rennlist forums!
