Rare jeep designed for the German Army with a top speed of only 60MPH sells for £175,000
The bulky 50bhp 4x4 is one of the rarest Porsches in existence
A PORSCHE sold for £175,000 when it went under the hammer – despite being branded the world’s ugliest.
The 597 Jadwagen was built for the German army in 1953 in the hope it would become a direct rival to models produced by Jeep and Land Rover.
But production of the vehicle, which translates as ‘hunting car’, was halted in 1958 after the Germans ditched it for the cheaper DKW Munga.
It was regarded as a flop and only 71 were ever built, making it one of the rarest Porsches in existence.
But its bulky exterior and bare interior is the complete opposite to the sleek and flashy Porsche designs seen on the road today.
It is also much slower – the 4×4 has just 50bhp and a top speed of around 60mph.
The Jagdwagen, which is completely amphibious, proved more popular with private buyers and only 22 were used by the military.
This car was purchased by a private buyer in 1957 before making its way overseas and being bought by its last owner in Japan four years ago.
Yesterday it was sold for £175,000 at auction held by Bonhams at the Goodwood Revival event in West Sussex.
A Bonhams spokesman said: “This vehicle was the ideal acquisition for the Porsche collector who thought they had everything.
“The car runs and drives well and comes in very good condition.
“It was offered for sale because the vendor thought its too precious to use on his country estate, although that is what it’s designed for.”
The all-terrain vehicle can climb gradients as steep as 65 per cent and, due to its buoyant design, the car is amphibious.
The disappointment of Porsche’s venture into 4x4s likely took its toll as the manufacturer did not return with another until half a century later when it released the Cayenne.
Weighing 2,200lbs, the vehicle has a five-speed manual gearbox and can shift between two and four wheel drive.
A Jagdwagen belonging to American actor Jerry Seinfeld was bought for £250,000 earlier this year.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368