__TOC__ ==History== Prior to World War II Porsche designed and built three Type 64 cars for a 1939 Berlin-to-Rome race that was cancelled.
Production started in 1948 at Gmünd, Austria, where Porsche built approximately 50 cars.
Of the 76,000 originally produced, approximately half survive. The original price in 1948 for the 356 coupe was US$3,750.
In 1948 the mid-engine, tubular chassis 356 prototype called "No.
To make the car lighter, to have an engine with more horsepower…that was the first two-seater that we built in Carinthia (Gmünd)". The first 356 was road certified in Austria on June 8, 1948, and was entered in a race in Innsbruck, where it won its class.
It took Porsche two years, starting with the first prototype in 1948, to manufacture the first 50 automobiles.
The new prototype was called Porsche 542 or Studebaker Z-87. ==Body styles== The 356 originated as a coupé only 1948–1955.
In 1950 the factory relocated to Zuffenhausen, Germany, and general production of the 356 continued until April 1965, well after the replacement model 911 made its September 1964 debut.
Volkswagen and Porsche shared fewer parts as the 1950s progressed.
Porsche handcrafted the early 356 automobile bodies at Gmünd in aluminum, but when production moved to Zuffenhausen, Germany, in 1950, models produced there were steel-bodied.
By the early 1950s the 356 had gained some renown among enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic for its aerodynamics, handling, and excellent build quality.
The following year the 356 B "roadster" convertible replaced the D model but the sports car market's love affair with top-down motoring was fading; soft-top 356 model sales declined significantly in the early 1960s. Cabriolet models (convertibles with a full windshield and padded top) were offered from the start, and in the early 1950s sometimes comprised over 50% of total production.
The class win at Le Mans in 1951 was a factor.
In 1951, 1,300 and 1,500 cc engines with considerably more power were introduced.
The 356 coupés and "cabriolets" (soft-tops) built through 1955 are readily identifiable by their split (1948 to 1952) or bent (centre-creased, 1953 to 1955) windscreens.
In late 1952 the split windscreen was replaced by a slightly V-shaped, single windshield, which fit into the same shape opening.
The 356 coupés and "cabriolets" (soft-tops) built through 1955 are readily identifiable by their split (1948 to 1952) or bent (centre-creased, 1953 to 1955) windscreens.
The last ten 356s (cabriolets) were assembled for the Dutch police force in March 1966 as 1965 models. === 530 === In 1953 Studebaker contacted Porsche to develop a new engine, but they developed an entire car that was a four-seat version of the 356.
They introduced the four-cam racing "Carrera" engine, a totally new design and unique to Porsche sports cars, in late 1954.
One of the most desirable collector models is the 356 "Speedster", introduced in late 1954 after Max Hoffman advised the company that a lower-cost, somewhat spartan open-top version could sell well in the American market.
The 356 coupés and "cabriolets" (soft-tops) built through 1955 are readily identifiable by their split (1948 to 1952) or bent (centre-creased, 1953 to 1955) windscreens.
In late 1955 the 356 A appeared, with a curved windshield.
This name was used only in 1955 and today this version is especially valued.
Today all of the earliest Porsches are highly coveted by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, based on their design, reliability and sporting performance. ===356 A=== In late 1955, with numerous small but significant changes, the 356 A was introduced.
In the US, 1,200 early 356s had been badged as the "Continental" and then a further 156 from autumn 1955 to January 1956 as an even rarer T1 "European" variant after which it reverted to its numerical 356 designation.
The four-cam "Carrera" engine appeared in late 1955 as an extra cost option on the 356 A, and remained available through the 356 model run. ==Legacy== The 356 has always been popular with the motor press.
A few notable examples include the Porsche 356 SL, and the Porsche 356 A Carrera GT. In the early 1960s Porsche collaborated with Abarth and built the Porsche 356 B Carrera GTL Abarth coupé, which enjoyed some success in motor sports. ==First Carrera car== Number 53456, the first 356 Carrera ever produced (a modified 3 May, 1955 exemplar owned by Porsche engineer Reinhard Schmidt as first owner), was analyzed in February 2018 by Quattroruote's subsidiary Ruoteclassiche.
For 1956, the equivalent version was briefly sold as the "European".
In the US, 1,200 early 356s had been badged as the "Continental" and then a further 156 from autumn 1955 to January 1956 as an even rarer T1 "European" variant after which it reverted to its numerical 356 designation.
In early 1957 a second revision of the 356 A was produced, known as Type 2 (or T2).
Production of the Speedster peaked at 1,171 cars in 1957 and then started to decline.
It was replaced in late 1958 by the "convertible D" model.
In late 1959 the T5 356 B appeared; followed by the redesigned T6 series 356 B in 1962.
The following year the 356 B "roadster" convertible replaced the D model but the sports car market's love affair with top-down motoring was fading; soft-top 356 model sales declined significantly in the early 1960s. Cabriolet models (convertibles with a full windshield and padded top) were offered from the start, and in the early 1950s sometimes comprised over 50% of total production.
In 2004, Sports Car International ranked the 356 C tenth on their list of top sports cars of the 1960s.
A few notable examples include the Porsche 356 SL, and the Porsche 356 A Carrera GT. In the early 1960s Porsche collaborated with Abarth and built the Porsche 356 B Carrera GTL Abarth coupé, which enjoyed some success in motor sports. ==First Carrera car== Number 53456, the first 356 Carrera ever produced (a modified 3 May, 1955 exemplar owned by Porsche engineer Reinhard Schmidt as first owner), was analyzed in February 2018 by Quattroruote's subsidiary Ruoteclassiche.
A unique "Karmann hardtop" or "notchback" 356 B model was produced in 1961 and 1962.
The 1961 production run (T5) was essentially a cabriolet body with the optional steel cabriolet hardtop welded in place.
A unique "Karmann hardtop" or "notchback" 356 B model was produced in 1961 and 1962, essentially a cabriolet-style body with a permanent metal roof. ==Engine== Porsche designers decided to build the 356's air-cooled pushrod OHV flat-four around the engine case they had originally designed for the Volkswagen Beetle.
In late 1959 the T5 356 B appeared; followed by the redesigned T6 series 356 B in 1962.
A unique "Karmann hardtop" or "notchback" 356 B model was produced in 1961 and 1962.
The 1962 line (T6 production) was a very different design in that the new T6 notchback coupé body did not start life as a cabriolet, but with its own production design.
A unique "Karmann hardtop" or "notchback" 356 B model was produced in 1961 and 1962, essentially a cabriolet-style body with a permanent metal roof. ==Engine== Porsche designers decided to build the 356's air-cooled pushrod OHV flat-four around the engine case they had originally designed for the Volkswagen Beetle.
Porsche contracted Reutter to build the steel bodies and eventually bought the Reutter company in 1963.
In 1950 the factory relocated to Zuffenhausen, Germany, and general production of the 356 continued until April 1965, well after the replacement model 911 made its September 1964 debut.
Increasing success with its racing and road cars brought Porsche orders for over 10,000 units in 1964, and by the time 356 production ended in 1965 approximately 76,000 had been produced. The 356 was built in four distinct series, the original ("pre-A"), followed by the 356 A, 356 B, and finally the 356 C.
Both years of these models have taken the name "Karmann notchback". ===356 C=== The last revision of the 356 was the 356 C introduced for the 1964 model year.
Production of the 356 peaked at 14,151 cars in 1964, the year that its successor, the new 911, was introduced to the US market (it was introduced slightly earlier in Europe).
In 1950 the factory relocated to Zuffenhausen, Germany, and general production of the 356 continued until April 1965, well after the replacement model 911 made its September 1964 debut.
Increasing success with its racing and road cars brought Porsche orders for over 10,000 units in 1964, and by the time 356 production ended in 1965 approximately 76,000 had been produced. The 356 was built in four distinct series, the original ("pre-A"), followed by the 356 A, 356 B, and finally the 356 C.
The final version was the 356 C, little changed from the late T6 B cars but disc brakes replaced the drums. Prior to completion of 356 production, Porsche had developed a higher-revving 616/36 version of the 356's four-cylinder pushrod engine for installation in a new 912 model that commenced production in April 1965.
The company continued to sell the 356 C in North America through 1965 as demand for the model remained quite strong in the early days of the heavier and more "civilized" 911.
The last ten 356s (cabriolets) were assembled for the Dutch police force in March 1966 as 1965 models. === 530 === In 1953 Studebaker contacted Porsche to develop a new engine, but they developed an entire car that was a four-seat version of the 356.
Over time a variety of other styles appeared, including roadster, convertible, cabriolet, and a very rare split-roof. The basic design of the 356 remained the same throughout the end of its lifespan in 1965, with evolutionary, functional improvements rather than annual superficial styling changes. The car was built of a unibody construction, making restoration difficult for cars that were kept in rust-prone climates.
The last ten 356s (cabriolets) were assembled for the Dutch police force in March 1966 as 1965 models. === 530 === In 1953 Studebaker contacted Porsche to develop a new engine, but they developed an entire car that was a four-seat version of the 356.
Ferry Porsche described the thinking behind the development of the 356 in an interview with the editor of "Panorama", the PCA magazine, in September 1972.
In 2004, Sports Car International ranked the 356 C tenth on their list of top sports cars of the 1960s.
, the most expensive 356 to sell was the daily driver of rocker Janis Joplin that was sold in New York by RM Sotheby's for $1,760,000 (£1,163,630) in 2015. Thousands of owners worldwide maintain the 356 tradition, preserving their cars and driving them regularly.
A few notable examples include the Porsche 356 SL, and the Porsche 356 A Carrera GT. In the early 1960s Porsche collaborated with Abarth and built the Porsche 356 B Carrera GTL Abarth coupé, which enjoyed some success in motor sports. ==First Carrera car== Number 53456, the first 356 Carrera ever produced (a modified 3 May, 1955 exemplar owned by Porsche engineer Reinhard Schmidt as first owner), was analyzed in February 2018 by Quattroruote's subsidiary Ruoteclassiche.
All text is taken from Wikipedia. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License .
Page generated on 2021-08-05