Springtime Porsche Rides
Porsche isn’t just about iconic automobiles and motorsports excellence. This trio of unusual rides is pure proof of that.
When you think of Porsche, you undoubtedly think of internal-combustion powered automobiles. After all, the iconic automaker has built nothing short of the finest road vehicles over its illustrious existence. Of course, we all know that Porsche also used to build things like tractors. But did you also know that they’ve stamped their name on several other kinds of rides? The kind that don’t have engines?
Three of the more prominent examples of these oddball Porsches are on display at the always amazing Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. And given that it’s springtime in most of the U.S., we thought now was the perfect time to highlight these human (and gravity) powered rides.
The first of the trio is none other than the 2003 Porsche Gravity Racer “Soapboard” Soapbox Surfer. Along with a team of engineers, Porsche Design Studio Director Roland Heiler created the racer to compete in the Extreme Gravity Racing Series. The charity event was originally created to raise funds for foster children. But it’s since evolved into a showcase for SoCal car design studios.
Heiler is an avid surfer, which explains the surfboard-like design. He and his team of engineers used advanced CAD software and lightweight aerospace materials to construct the Soapboard. And it proved successful, going on to win the race by a full “car” length.
Porsche might not have a reputation for building soapbox cars, but it has been producing bicycles since 1990. This “off-road” 1996 Porsche FS bike is one of a limited series of the first production bikes offered to the public. The FS models featured an aluminum frame and shock absorbers. At the time, most considered the FS one of the most technologically advanced bicycles in existence. Porsche painted this particular FS to match Jeff Zwart‘s Pikes Peak Porsche racer of the late ’90s.
Rounding out our unique spring trio is a more winter-focused 1971 Arova-Porsche 212 Skibob. Ferdinand Porsche designed the Skibob himself. But the Swiss Arova group handled the construction. Buyers could purchase one directly from their local dealership in either red or blue. With a fiberglass body, dual shocks in the front and rear, and skis that attached to the rider’s boots, the Skibob was a load of fun in the powder.
Despite this, the Skibob also made a competent water cruiser. And even better, owners could assemble or disassemble it in under a minute. Fully collapsed, it fit neatly in the trunk of a Porsche for convenient winter/summer fun.
This incredible trio of unique Porsches is just a small sample of the amazing machines you can see at the Petersen Automotive Museum. For more information on their other exhibits and upcoming events, head over here.
Photos for Rennlist by David M. Ciminelli