| Sold from 1948 through 1965, the Porsche 356 was | | | | Gun". The production of Speedster peaked at 1,171 |
| Porsche's first production automobile. Although many | | | | cars in 1957. It was replaced 1959 by the Convertible D |
| think of the Porsche 64 as being the first automobile | | | | model. This model featured a taller, more practical |
| produced by the German company, the 64 was never | | | | windshield, glass side windows, and more comfortable |
| mass-produced. It was only an operable concept car | | | | seats. |
| and testing platform for the company's design ideas. | | | | Even as the mechanical side of the Porsche improved |
| The 364, created by Ferdinand Porsche and his son | | | | year after year, the basic shape of Porsche 356 |
| Ferry Porsche, was designed by Erwin Komenda. Its | | | | remained the same and was easily recognized. The |
| engine features were derived from the Volkswagen | | | | last 356B Roadster was built in early 1963, but the |
| Beetle, which was also designed by the senior Mr. | | | | coupe and cabriolet models were produced every |
| Porsche. | | | | year up to 1965. The final model built was the 356C, |
| Initially the models available were a coupe, cabriolet | | | | featuring disc brakes and the most powerful pushrod |
| (luxury convertible) and a roadster (a stripped down | | | | engine Porsche so far: the 95HP "SC". |
| convertible). The Porsche 356 underwent several | | | | Porsche 356 production peaked at 14,151 cars in 1965, |
| changes before being withdrawn in 1965. The most | | | | the same year that Porsche introduced the 911. The |
| sought-after variants of the car were the 356 | | | | company continued to sell the 356C in North America |
| "Carrera" (which often sold for over $150,000), the | | | | through the end of 1965 as a lower-cost option to the |
| "Super 90" and the famous "Speedster". The original | | | | higher-performance 911. When the customers |
| selling price for a Porsche was around $4,000 in the | | | | continued to complain about the high the price of the |
| 1950s. | | | | 911, which was almost twice the price of the 356, |
| It was in 1954 that Max Hoffman, the only importer of | | | | Porsche started producing the 912. This car utilized the |
| Porsches into United States, told Porsche that he | | | | 356 engine and was sold between 1965 and 1969. |
| needed a lower cost, racier version of the 356 to | | | | 56 years after the beginning of its production, Sports |
| entice the American driver. To this end the company | | | | Car International named the 356C as number ten on its |
| created the 356 "Speedster". It became a instant hit, | | | | list of Top Sports cars of the 60's. Having stood the |
| featuring a low, raked windshield (easily removable for | | | | test of time, the 356 is a well respected and coveted |
| weekend racing), bucket seats, and minimal folding top. | | | | car among collectors today. Thousands of 356 |
| Today this car is still widely coveted and premium | | | | owners worldwide maintain the tradition, preserving |
| examples of the model have sold for over $100,000. It | | | | their cars and through them the legacy of Porsche |
| has also been used in several films, including "48 | | | | engineering excellence. |
| Hours", its sequel -- "Another 48 Hours", and "Top | | | | |