Porsche 542

The Porsche 542, also called the Studebaker Z-87, was a prototype that Porsche made for Studebaker in 1953. The first prototype, the Porsche 530, a four-seat version of the 356, was rejected. The new prototype was a sedan with independent suspension at the front and rear, unusual for the time, and a 3.0 litre 120 degree V6, also unusual for 1953, which Porsche developed in two forms, an air-cooled 542L and a water-cooled 542W. The water-cooled engine proved more practical, lighter and slightly stronger at 105 horsepower. The finished car and engines were due to ship to Studebaker in 1953 or early 1954, but Studebaker was busy saving the company, and it was only after the 1956 merger with Packard that it looked at them. By then the design was dated, and John DeLorean judged that it would not appeal to American buyers.