| The Porsche 356 was a sports car buffs dream. The | | | | go hand in hand. And so the Speedster is born and an |
| 356 was the brain child of Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche. | | | | instant success with more than 4000 sold in just 5 |
| The body style was the work of Erwin Komenda and | | | | years.1955: |
| the mechanical came off the VW Beetle the design of | | | | The 1600 motor makes it to production. The 1500 GS |
| Ferdinand Porsche Sr.When it first hit the market it | | | | Carrera motor which is being developed for the race |
| was available as a roadster, cabriolet, and coupe and | | | | track suddenly finds its way into the 356 line. The A |
| over the years it saw many changes both in power | | | | line is introduced which has several small changes to |
| and style. You might be surprised to discover that the | | | | the body style.1956: |
| 356 Porsche was actually Porsche's first production | | | | The 10,000th 356 comes off the assembly line and it |
| automobile and one has to admit it was a great | | | | is celebrated at the factory.1957: |
| pick!This timeline is a bit rough around the edges but it | | | | More improvements saw the T2 prototype with the |
| will give you and idea of how the 356 evolved from | | | | new transmission. The 644 replaced the 519 with a |
| start to finish.1948: | | | | much better shifter, dual nose mounts, and much better |
| Just after the war Porsche located to Austria so that | | | | synchros.1958: |
| they could be closer to parts suppliers. Ferry Porsche | | | | The Carrera engine continued to see improvements |
| was the designer of the 356. He was the son of Dr | | | | that produced higher horsepower. The Convertible |
| Ing Ferdinand Porsche who was the founder of | | | | came to market replacing the Speedster and it was |
| Porsche. The original car used a tubular chassis with | | | | much taller and luxurious than its predecessor.1959: |
| an 1100cc engine so it was both light and quick. The | | | | The last Speedster is released and the 1300 engine is |
| gearbox was designed by Frolich and Komenda | | | | also dropped.1960: |
| designed the body of the 356.The original 001 raced at | | | | The 356B is given the Super 90 motor. The 90 has a |
| the Innsbruck city race and it won in the 1100cc class | | | | counterweighted crank, Solex P40-II Carburetor, and |
| on its very first run. Not surprising! The original 001 sits | | | | sodium filled valves.1961: |
| in the Factory Museum.1949: | | | | The hardtop is introduced and is instantly a hit and is |
| The first 356 Cabriolet is built with alloy aluminum.1950: | | | | fondly nicknamed the "Notchback". Over 1700 of these |
| The factory moves to Zuffenhausen and begins | | | | cars sold in less than two years.1962: |
| producing the 356 where they will stay until 1965 | | | | Porsche is talking with Reutter about the purchase of |
| producing around 80,000 cars.1951: | | | | the coach maker. The factory launches Christophorus |
| Innovation continues to impress the world with the 356 | | | | which is a Porsche lifestyle magazine.1963: |
| Cabriolet and the new split windshield. The 1.3 liter was | | | | 356C is brought to market with the 95 HP SC engine. |
| chrome plated with aluminum cylinders and the very | | | | It has 4 wheel disc brakes, and it is available with an |
| first synchromesh transmission came to be. The | | | | optional 12 volt electric system.1964: |
| 356-002 wins hands down at the LeMans in the | | | | The 356 production has moved over the 10,000 a |
| 1100cc class.At the age of 75 Dr. Ing Ferdinand | | | | year number.1965: |
| Porsche Sr. died at the age of 75. By this time 1400 | | | | The final Cabriolets come off the assembly line.After |
| people worked under the direction of Ferry | | | | several evolutions the 356 came to be retired in 1965 |
| Porsche.1952: | | | | but today the car still remains sought after and it is |
| The 1488 cc 70 HP super engine is introduced.1953: | | | | common to find them selling for over $175,000. Back in |
| A deal is made with New York's Max Hoffman which | | | | the 1950s you could buy that car new for $4000.The |
| allowed for the introduction of the 356 in the United | | | | 356 also made it big in the movies staring in Top Gun, |
| States. It wasn't long before Hoffman became the US | | | | 48 Hrs and Another 48 Hrs. And Janis Joplin has a |
| importer for Porsche making arrangements for the | | | | psychedelically painted 356C. The 356 underwent |
| Porsche line to be carried around the country. This | | | | many changes over the years some mechanical while |
| was also the era where split windshields became bent | | | | others cosmetic but what remained consistent was its |
| windshields.1954: | | | | charm, style, sportiness, and speed. Still today this is a |
| Hoffman convinces Porsche that they can gain more | | | | car that gets noticed.Wayne has been owned and |
| market share by producing a stripped down version of | | | | ridden Porsches for 15 years. Visit his Porsche site at |
| the 356 for less money specifically designed for the | | | | to learn more about Porsche 944. |
| west coast where fair weather and amateur racing | | | | |