| The Porsche 356 was a sports car buffs | | | | amateur racing go hand in hand. And so |
| dream. The 356 was the brain child of | | | | the Speedster is born and an instant |
| Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche. The body | | | | success with more than 4000 sold in just |
| style was the work of Erwin Komenda and | | | | 5 years. |
| the mechanical came off the VW Beetle | | | | 1955: |
| the design of Ferdinand Porsche Sr. | | | | The 1600 motor makes it to production. |
| When it first hit the market it was | | | | The 1500 GS Carrera motor which is being |
| available as a roadster, cabriolet, and | | | | developed for the race track suddenly |
| coupe and over the years it saw many | | | | finds its way into the 356 line. The A |
| changes both in power and style. You | | | | line is introduced which has several |
| might be surprised to discover that the | | | | small changes to the body style. |
| 356 Porsche was actually Porsche's first | | | | 1956: |
| production automobile and one has to | | | | The 10,000th 356 comes off the assembly |
| admit it was a great pick! | | | | line and it is celebrated at the |
| This timeline is a bit rough around the | | | | factory. |
| edges but it will give you and idea of | | | | 1957: |
| how the 356 evolved from start to | | | | More improvements saw the T2 prototype |
| finish. | | | | with the new transmission. The 644 |
| 1948: | | | | replaced the 519 with a much better |
| Just after the war Porsche located to | | | | shifter, dual nose mounts, and much |
| Austria so that they could be closer to | | | | better synchros. |
| parts suppliers. Ferry Porsche was the | | | | 1958: |
| designer of the 356. He was the son of | | | | The Carrera engine continued to see |
| Dr Ing Ferdinand Porsche who was the | | | | improvements that produced higher |
| founder of Porsche. The original car | | | | horsepower. The Convertible came to |
| used a tubular chassis with an 1100cc | | | | market replacing the Speedster and it |
| engine so it was both light and quick. | | | | was much taller and luxurious than its |
| The gearbox was designed by Frolich and | | | | predecessor. |
| Komenda designed the body of the 356. | | | | 1959: |
| The original 001 raced at the Innsbruck | | | | The last Speedster is released and the |
| city race and it won in the 1100cc class | | | | 1300 engine is also dropped. |
| on its very first run. Not surprising! | | | | 1960: |
| The original 001 sits in the Factory | | | | The 356B is given the Super 90 motor. |
| Museum. | | | | The 90 has a counterweighted crank, |
| 1949: | | | | Solex P40-II Carburetor, and sodium |
| The first 356 Cabriolet is built with | | | | filled valves. |
| alloy aluminum. | | | | 1961: |
| 1950: | | | | The hardtop is introduced and is |
| The factory moves to Zuffenhausen and | | | | instantly a hit and is fondly nicknamed |
| begins producing the 356 where they will | | | | the "Notchback". Over 1700 of these |
| stay until 1965 producing around 80,000 | | | | cars sold in less than two years. |
| cars. | | | | 1962: |
| 1951: | | | | Porsche is talking with Reutter about |
| Innovation continues to impress the | | | | the purchase of the coach maker. The |
| world with the 356 Cabriolet and the new | | | | factory launches Christophorus which is |
| split windshield. The 1.3 liter was | | | | a Porsche lifestyle magazine. |
| chrome plated with aluminum cylinders | | | | 1963: |
| and the very first synchromesh | | | | 356C is brought to market with the 95 HP |
| transmission came to be. The 356-002 | | | | SC engine. It has 4 wheel disc brakes, |
| wins hands down at the LeMans in the | | | | and it is available with an optional 12 |
| 1100cc class. | | | | volt electric system. |
| At the age of 75 Dr. Ing Ferdinand | | | | 1964: |
| Porsche Sr. died at the age of 75. By | | | | The 356 production has moved over the |
| this time 1400 people worked under the | | | | 10,000 a year number. |
| direction of Ferry Porsche. | | | | 1965 |
| 1952: | | | | The final Cabriolets come off the |
| The 1488 cc 70 HP super engine is | | | | assembly line. |
| introduced. | | | | After several evolutions the 356 came to |
| 1953: | | | | be retired in 1965 but today the car |
| A deal is made with New York's Max | | | | still remains sought after and it is |
| Hoffman which allowed for the | | | | common to find them selling for over |
| introduction of the 356 in the United | | | | $175,000. Back in the 1950s you could |
| States. It wasn't long before Hoffman | | | | buy that car new for $4000. |
| became the US importer for Porsche | | | | The 356 also made it big in the movies |
| making arrangements for the Porsche line | | | | staring in Top Gun, 48 Hrs and Another |
| to be carried around the country. This | | | | 48 Hrs. And Janis Joplin has a |
| was also the era where split windshields | | | | psychedelically painted 356C. The 356 |
| became bent windshields. | | | | underwent many changes over the years |
| 1954: | | | | some mechanical while others cosmetic |
| Hoffman convinces Porsche that they can | | | | but what remained consistent was its |
| gain more market share by producing a | | | | charm, style, sportiness, and speed. |
| stripped down version of the 356 for | | | | Still today this is a car that gets |
| less money specifically designed for the | | | | noticed. |
| west coast where fair weather and | | | | |