Vehicle Description
In the 1930s, the government of Germany, led by the dubious German
Labor Front, felt that most German automobiles had becomes far too
expensive and complex to be attainable by the average citizen and
they felt that it was critical to have a fully mobile society. They
set about designing a car that could be cheaply built and easily
purchased by the average German worker, and with the assistance of
the genius engineer Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, the purpose-built,
air-cooled Volkswagen was born. Alongside the Volkswagen, Dr.
Porsche also built several prototypes of the Volksschlepper, a
small tractor that farmers on small family plots could purchase
easily and increase their productivity - in short, an agricultural
equivalent to the people's car. The initial prototypes of the
tractor featured petrol power, but it was quickly decided that an
air-cooled diesel was better suited for the tractor's duties. The
project was given the green light by the German government in 1937,
however production of Porsche's diesel engine did not officially
begin until 1950, when the idea of government sponsored
cars-for-the-people was dead. But the Porsche-Diesel engine lived
on, first with the Allgaier-Porsche AP17, an aluminum tractor with
a two-cylinder, 18 horsepower version of Porsche's engine. By 1954,
demand was strong enough to require a larger facility and the newly
incorporated Porsche Diesel Motorenbau GmbH (a subsidiary of
industrial giant Mannesmann AG) moved into the renovated
Dornier-Zeppelin aircraft plant. The new line consisted of four
models - Junior, Standard, Super and Master - that ranged from 15
to 50 horsepower. The signature red paint and rounded styling
debuted with the newly branded Porsche-Diesel tractors. Further
improvements were made along the way, with even more choices for
power and chassis combinations. Ultimately, over 120,000
Porsche-Diesel tractors would be sold worldwide, and the company
went so far as to establish a North American subsidiary in Easton,
Pennsylvania. But the scale of American farming wasn't well suited
to the smaller Porsche, and the sheer volume of established
competitors meant that only 1,000 units found buyers, mostly to
small East Coast farms and orchards. Despite the worldwide success
of the Porsche-Diesel, parent company Mannessmann AG discontinued
the entire range in 1963, and the Porsche name was out of
agriculture for good. This 1960 Porsche Diesel Junior is an
excellent example of the 109 model (serial number 109-14911); which
was the slightly larger of the two Junior models produced. It is
powered by a 53 cubic inch single-cylinder, air-cooled engine of 15
horsepower. It is a lovely and well-restored example correctly
finished in traditional Porsche-Diesel red with cream wheels, the
signature livery of the entire Porsche tractor line. The paint
quality is excellent on both the body and chassis, and the sheet
metal on the fenders and distinct rounded nose is straight and in
excellent condition. All original controls and levers remain intact
and appear to be in good order. It rides on a set of correct
cream-colored wheels that show high-quality finishing and are shod
with excellent rubber. The Junior is first and foremost a tool for
work in conditions that required the utmost in dependability, so
creature comforts and trim are essentially non-existent. But
despite its rugged simplicity, it is still a great looking machine,
with pleasing, simple style and plenty of character. The
collectability of all things Porsche has drawn renewed attention to
these wonderful little tractors, and it now seems that most serious
Porsche collections have to include at least one of these
air-cooled diesel workhorses. Equally, enthusiasts of classic
tractors appreciate the Porsche Junior for its functionality as
much as for its classic style. This is a lovely example of the
breed, beautifully presented in correct colors and ready for action
in the on the show field or farm field.
