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