Porsche's poster-worthy gullwing supercar's story ended in the way no one would have wanted

The Porsche Tapiro was a head-turning concept car with gullwing doors and a sharp wedge-shaped design, but it sadly came to an unfortunate end.

Built as a collaboration with Volkswagen back in 1970, the Porsche Tapiro was a truly unique vehicle. 

Its eye-catching look was created by an Italian designer named Giorgietto Giugiaro and was based on the Porsche 914/6. 

However, the one and only prototype came to a sad end just a couple of years after it was built.

DISCOVER SBX CARS – The global premium auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie 

We’ll never see another car like the gullwing Porsche Tapiro

Over the years, Porsche has treated us to some incredible concept cars, like the 2019 911 Speedster concept and the much-hyped Mission X.

And back in the 1970s, the carmaker worked on a joint project with Volkswagen to create the Porsche Tapiro.

A concept car that was based on the chassis of the Porsche 914/6, it looked completely different from anything else out there. 

The car featured a bold, wedge-shaped design, which was ahead of its time. 

This style didn’t really become popular until later on, with the launch of cars like the Lamborghini Countach. 

It also came with gullwing doors, not just to enter and exit the car, but also over the trunk and engine bay. 

To make things even more interesting, much of the roof and sides of the Porsche Tapiro were made of glass, which allowed for a cool view of the car’s engine from outside.

So what exactly was powering the Porsche? Well, that was quite special, too. 

It was fitted with the engine from 914/6, which had been upgraded from a 2.0-liter to a 2.4-liter. 

The engine was then tuned so it could produce 220hp at 7,800rpm. 

This engine could propel the Tapiro to a speed of 152mph (245kmh). Impressive stuff.  

The car was unveiled at the 1970 Turin Auto Show, in Turin, Italy, but never went into production. 

But the prototype was bought by a car collector from Spain in 1973, who reportedly used it as his daily driver. 

Sadly, during the 1980s, the Porsche Tapiro somehow caught fire and was completely destroyed in the blaze. 

What became of the remains of the Porsche?

Although the car was completely burnt out in the fire, the charred remains were later purchased by Italdesign, the company founded by Tapiro designer Giorgetto Giugiaro.

It has since been placed on display in its Giugiaro Museum.

So, while it wasn’t exactly a happy ending for the concept car, its design hasn’t been completely lost to time.

Click the star icon next to supercarblondie.com in Google Search to stay ahead of the curve on the latest and greatest supercars, hypercars, and ground-breaking technology.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie