PORSCHE’S FIRST OFF-ROAD VEHICLE In 1954, nearly 50 years before Porsche introduced their brand-saving, coffer-stuffing Cayenne sport utility vehicle, there was the Type 597.

This rarely seen and mostly overlooked project—which was undertaken in pursuit of a massive light truck RFP from the German Army—offers a truly fascinating glimpse into Porsche’s immediate post-war vehicle development process.

With many components (recycled and newly developed) exhibiting a functional mélange of the marque’s expertise in both sports car and tractor production, the Type 597 is regarded by some as Porsche’s most interesting, and not entirely incongruous, creation.

NEW FOR SOME, BUT NOT FERDINAND Even though this was the Stuttgart company’s first attempt at an offroad vehicle, the same could certainly not be said of its founder’s experience in the matter.

It is important to note that some years earlier, Ferdinand Porsche was directly involved with the development of the ubiquitous Type 82 Kübelwa...