Become a premium member for just $35/year and get ad-free access!
Avatar photoKarl Ludvigsen·
Porsche

Building the Porsche Beutlers

In Switzerland Ernst and Fritz Beutler made a good living from special bodies on both Volkswagen and Porsche chassis. Ultimately Porsche took a close interest in what the brothers were doing because it had 2+2 ambitions of its own.

The six cabriolets built by the Beutler brothers on Gmünd-made chassis in 1947-48 were exceptionally pretty. But that was their only Porsche-based work for the time being.

The Swiss brothers Beutler stepped on the stage of Porsche-car history at the beginning of the first act, when Gmünd-built 356s were being sent to Switzerland, some as completed coupes and some as chassis. Importer Bernhard Blank arranged to have the chassis bodied as cabriolets by panel-beater Fritz Beutler and designer Ernst Beutler at their workshops on Gwattstrasse in Thun’s southerly Dürrenast district, not far from Thun Lake.

Although they did a beautiful job in 1947-48 on half a dozen 356 cabriolets for Swiss customers, the Beutlers then left the Porsche stage, preferring bespoke coachwork for individual customers to series production, no matter how small. Relatively soon, however, they resumed activity that would lead to a renewed role in the drama of Porsche development.

No Subscription? You’re missing out

Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content.

Get Started

Related
© Stuttcars.com 2025. This site was designed and produced solely by Stuttcars.com. Stuttcars.com is not associated with Porsche AG in any manner, except for a mutual appreciation and love of the cars. All pictures and references to the Porsche name, and the car names and shapes are for reference only, and do not imply any association with Porsche AG.