1963 Porsche 901 Coupe

Porsche's second series-production car began as the 901; its numerical reference changed to the 911 with the sale of the first production cars in late fall of 1964. Among the 901 prototypes, this is prototype number 6, which was showcased at the 1964 Geneva Auto Salon. It was the first prototype to feature the new dashboard that became the actual 901 dashboard. Like its predecessor, the eventual production car was destined to be a rear-engined 2+2, but it was more comfortable and quicker, powered by a 2.0-liter flat-six. After its debut, this prototype was driven for a time by Ferdinand Piech, the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche. Piech was then a mechanical engineering graduate in his early years with Porsche, but he would rise to become Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group. Thereafter this prototype passed through the hands of Hans Mezger, and Walter Vetter, who crashed it. Alois Ruf purchased the damaged car in 1964, fixed it - and has kept what was his first Porsche to this day.