Some people are surprised to learn that their favorite supercar brands also produce vehicles that are more at home in a field. The first Lamborghinis, for example, were tractors, and are still manufactured today. Then there’s Aston Martin, which was acquired by Sir David Brown, founder of a company of the same name that began manufacturing tractors with Harry Ferguson in 1936. Porsche falls under the same category. Their older tractors are quite rare and quite expensive if they’re in good condition. Late last year, a lovingly restored 1959 Porsche Master 419 went on the market for $66,550. Following World War II, Porsche was one of only two companies allowed to produce tractors in Germany. One of the more interesting models produced during these years was the Porsche P312 — also known as the Kaffeelug or "coffee train" — manufactured for coffee farmers in Brazil. It was modified at the factory to run on gasoline, possibly due to concerns on the part of the coffee farmers about the impact of diesel fumes on the flavor of their coffee. Around 300 of these unusual machines were made. Looking more like a submarine or an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile than a tractor, it was specialized for working in tight coffee rows, designed to move between plants smoothly. Very few original P312 tractors survive, making them highly sought-after restoration projects.
