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| withdrawn in 1965.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