Reutter

Key facts

Founded

1906¹ Independently researched

Founder

Wilhelm Reutter¹ Independently researched

Headquarters

Stuttgart, Germany¹ Independently researched

Status

1963 (body plant sold to Porsche; seat business continued as Recaro)¹ Independently researched

History

Wilhelm Reutter founded his own coachbuilding business in Stuttgart in 1906. In October 1949 Ferry Porsche ordered 500 bodies and frames for the Porsche 356, and Reutter also supplied seats, trim and electrical and heating systems. The 10,000th 356 body left the line in March 1956. In 1963 the shareholders sold the body plant to Porsche, with about 950 employees transferring; the roughly 250 remaining staff made seats under the name Recaro, derived from Reutter Carosserie.

Milestones

1. 1949
   Ferry Porsche ordered 500 bodies and frames for the Porsche 356.¹
2. 1956
   The 10,000th Porsche 356 body left the Reutter line.¹
3. 1963
   The body plant was sold to Porsche; the remainder continued as Recaro.¹

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Recaro Automotive Seating and Porsche Sports Cars: 70 Years of Shared History Level C The Speed Journal

   • October 1949 order of 500 bodies and frames
   • March 1956, 10,000th body
   • sale of body plant; Recaro from December 1963
   • "founded his own business" in 1906; Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co.
   • Wilhelm Reutter wanted to build automobile bodies rather than horse-drawn carriages
   • Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co.
   • shareholders voted to sell the car body plant to Porsche; from December 1963 seats under the Recaro name
   • Recaro Automotive Seating and Porsche Sports Cars: 70 Years of Shared History (company history)

   Accessed 2026-11-13