Whatever the actual merits or otherwise of the Porsche Junior, the very fact it exists and strikes such a contrast to what we might now regard as standard Porsche fare is to be celebrated. True, some aspects of its design are as traditional Porsche as they come – four wheels, rear-wheel drive, an air-cooled engine and open air bodywork are all characteristics shared with the very earliest Porsches, but in other regards it must be regarded as something of a departure.
The eagle-eyed among you will note, for instance, the ultra-sporting monoposto central driving position, with even less protection from the elements than that afforded by a Speedster. Less easy to see is the engine, which despite a pedigree as blue-blooded as any – like the rest of the machine, it was the work of none other than Dr Ferdinand Porsche – is to a radically different specification.
This is a single cylinder motor displacing a mighty 822cc. It is also of an entirely modular design, enabling 1.6-litre, 2.4-litre and 3.2-litre engines with two, three and four cylinders respectively to be created with almost all moving parts common to all. These larger models are known as ‘Standard’, ‘Super’ and ‘Master’. The internal dimensions of the naturally aspirated engine are notably undersquare, with a bore and stroke of 95mm and 116mm. And while this does limit available power – the maximum is quoted as 14bhp at 2250rpm – the reward is a level of low down torque you might not at first suspect.
