Porsche 901: the car that became the 911

The Porsche 901 is the 911 before it had its name. Most of what people search for under “901” falls into three groups: the prototypes, the first production cars, and the type-901 parts that carried the name for years afterward. This page separates them.

What was the Porsche 901?

The Porsche 901 was the successor to the 356: a larger, six-cylinder, 2+2 coupé designed under the direction of Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche. It was unveiled at the Frankfurt IAA on 12 September 1963 and went into series production at Zuffenhausen in September 1964.

Its shape grew out of the Type 754 T7 body study of 1959, shortened from a four-seater into a sportier car. The question of who deserves credit for that shape is covered in who designed the Porsche 911.

Porsche 901 specifications

What were the Porsche 901 prototypes?

The 901 prototypes were thirteen pre-production cars, seven built in 1963 and six in 1964, numbered from replacement chassis 13321. They carried nicknames such as Sturmvogel, Fledermaus, Blaumeise, Zitronenfalter, Barbarossa and Quickblau. Three survive. Every car is listed with its purpose and fate on the 901 prototype chassis page.

How many cars were built as Porsche 901?

About 82 cars were built as 901s between 14 September and 16 November 1964. Peugeot then objected to the name, and Porsche sold the car as the 911. Why that happened is explained in why it is called the Porsche 911.

What are “901” parts?

“901” parts are components carrying Porsche’s internal type number, not prototype parts. Engines were typed 901/01 and later variants, and five-speed gearboxes carried 901 type designations into the late 1960s. A gearbox stamped 901 belongs to a normal early 911 or 912. The 901 transmission guide lists the variants.

How do you check an early 901-era car?

You check an early 901-era car by starting with the chassis number. Prototypes carry 133xx numbers; production cars built in 1964 run from 300001 to 300235; 1965 continued from 300236. Then compare engine number and gearbox type against a factory record.

1. Decode the chassis number on the Porsche VIN decoder.
2. Order a factory record through the process in the Certificate of Authenticity guide.
3. Confirm engine and gearbox numbers match the record.
4. Have a specialist inspect the body for replaced panels and restamping.

Why do 901 claims attract myths?

901 claims attract myths because the story has real gaps: several prototypes disappeared, sources disagree on details, and the 901 name survived on parts. The best-known example is the $21 million “911 T prototype”, a 1971 car presented as a lost 901. The documented record fills most of those gaps quickly.