| Even though the Porsche 64 is considered by many to | | | | The original 356 was featured in many Hollywood films |
| be the first car produced by the company it was really | | | | and now brings over $100,000 at auto specialty |
| only a test car and was never built as a production | | | | auctions and through private dealers, if you are lucky |
| automobile, in fact only three were built. The 364 was | | | | enough to find one. |
| built by Ferdinand and Ferry Porsche after design by | | | | Even though minor modifications were made to it, the |
| Erwin Komenda, while getting its engine modeled after | | | | basic shape of the Porsche 356 stayed unchanged |
| the VW Beetle. | | | | and its signature look was easily distinguished from |
| The 356 was offered in the beginning as a coupe, a | | | | others. The coupe and cabriolet editions were made |
| cabriolet, and a roadster and before being taken off | | | | each year until 1965 but the last 356 Roadster was |
| the market in 1965 it underwent several modifications. | | | | made two years earlier. |
| The models that were the most wanted were the | | | | In 1964 when Porsche introduced the popular 911, 356 |
| Super 90, the Speedster, and the 356 Carrera which | | | | vehicle production was at 14,151 and the company |
| often fetches over $150,000 now. The original selling | | | | offered the 356 through 1965 as a lower cost |
| price for a Porsche in the latter 1950's was only | | | | alternative to the more pricey 911 which was twice |
| $4,000. | | | | that of the 356. Due to the complaining of customers |
| Max Hoffman was the only Porsche importer in the | | | | that the price of the 911 was too high the company |
| United States back then and wanted a lower priced, | | | | came out with the 912 which featured the cheaper |
| speedy version to market to Americans. So in 1954 | | | | engine of the 356 and it was sold until 1969. |
| the company manufactured the 356 Speedster with a | | | | Currently the Porsche 356 is a desirable and |
| removable windshield, bucket seats, and a very basic | | | | respected collector classic and was named on the top |
| folding top. The Speedster production peaked at 1,171 | | | | 10 list of the best sports cars of the 1960's by Sports |
| cars in 1957 and was replaced in 1959 by the | | | | Car International. Today thousands of Porsche 356 |
| Convertible model D which featured a taller and more | | | | owners carry on the tradition with well preserved |
| practical windshield as well as more comfortable | | | | vehicles that are driven on a regular basis. |
| seating. | | | | |