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