First Vehicle Ferdinand Porsche Ever Worked on Is on Display

Very Beginning

The Porsche Museum is routinely filled with some of the coolest and most historically significant models from the automaker's entire history, both new and old, as well as everything in between. But in the world of Porsche, no vehicle is as old as the museum's latest display - the Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton, otherwise known as the Porsche P1.

Photos: Porsche

Historically Significant

Far ahead of its time, the P1 is a mid-motor electric vehicle conceived in 1898, and it also happens to be the oldest surviving vehicle that Ferdinand Porsche ever worked on. As such, the Porsche Museum has placed this piece of history right up front near the entrance as a permanent exhibit.

Photos: Porsche

Ahead of Its Time

The P1 is powered by an electric motor created by Porsche himself that is dubbed the "Octagon," which churns out 2.9 horsepower and helps it reach a top speed of 22 mph. It's mounted ahead of the rear axle, while the whole thing is steered via the front wheels. Range comes in at around 49 miles, thanks to a series of Tudor batteries.

Photos: Porsche

Past to Present

Porsche spent over a year planning this special exhibit for the P1, which it calls "one of the most important vehicles in the company's collection," for obvious reasons. In front of the vehicle sits an infinity mirror, which is intended to make the P1 look like it's "traveling from the past into the present."

Photos: Porsche

Porsche DNA

LED lighting and the large mirror make it seem as if the P1 is heading through a time portal, while a cosmic-like soundtrack plays in the background for added effect. The purpose of this new exhibit is to "tell the story of Porsche DNA," and it seems to do that masterfully.

Photos: Porsche

Drawn In

"Many visitors have never associated the horseless carriage with electric mobility," said Porsche Museum curator Iris Haker. "Now we've created a real wow effect. Every visitor is drawn into Porsche's electric beginnings thanks to 'infinity mirror' technology that has never been used before."

Photos: Porsche

Worth a Visit

As one might imagine, this very cool exhibit has attracted its fair share of attention thus far, and it certainly gives us yet another reason to revisit the Porsche Museum, which is constantly changing for the better.

Photos: Porsche

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