Porsche 356
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Porsche 356 | |
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| Manufacturer: | Porsche |
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| Production: | 1948-1965 |
| Predecessor: | none |
| Successor: | Porsche 911 |
| Class: | Sports car |
| Body style: | 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible, 2-door speedster |
| Platform: | RR |
| Engine: | 1.1 L B4, 40 hp (DIN) 1.3 L B4, 44-60 hp (DIN) 1.5 L B4, 55-70 hp (DIN) 1.5 L DOHC-B4, 100-110 hp (DIN) 1.6 L B4, 60-95 hp (DIN) 1.6 L DOHC-B4, 105-115 hp (DIN) 2.0 L DOHC-B4, 130 hp (DIN) |
| Wheelbase: | 82.7 inch (2100 mm) |
| Length: | 152.4-157.9 inch (3870-4010 mm) |
| Width: | 65.4 inch (1660 mm) |
| Height: | 48.0-51.8 inch (1220-1310 mm) |
| Curb weight: | 1700-2296 lbs (770-1040 kg) |
| Designer: | Erwin Komenda |
The Porsche 356 was a sports car produced from 1948 through 1965. It was Porsche's first production automobile.
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[edit] History
The 356 was the first production sports car bearing the Porsche name.[1][2] Designer Ferdinand Porsche also created the pre-war Type 64 and a mid-engine prototype called "Number 1", which has led to confusion as to which car was truly the "first" Porsche automobile.
The 356 was created by Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche (son of Dr. Ing. Ferdinand Porsche, founder of the company). Like its ancestor, the Volkswagen Beetle (which Ferdinand Porsche Sr. had designed), the 356 was a four-cylinder, air-cooled, rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive car. While the 356's body was an original design by Porsche employee Erwin Komenda, its mechanicals (including engine, suspension and chassis) were all derived from the Volkswagen. Early 356 prototypes were bodied in aluminum, but this proved impractical for production, and all subsequent 356's were steel-bodied. [3]
The first Porsche 356 was debuted on June 8, 1948, using many Volkswagen parts for manufacturing economy. However, Porsche quickly refined the car with a focus on performance, so that by the late 50's few parts were shared in common between the two marques. Little noticed at its inception in 1948, by the early 1950's the 356 had gained some renown among enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic for its exceptional aerodynamics and handling, as well as excellent build quality. It was common for owners to race 356s as well as drive them on the street.
[edit] Variants
| Porsche 356 Production | |
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| Type | Quantity |
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| 356 (1950-55) | 7,627 |
| 356A (1955-59) | 21,045 |
| 356B (1959-63) | 30,963 |
| 356C (1963-65) | 16,668 |
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| Total | 76,303 |
Though the basics of the 356 remained the same throughout its lifespan, both coupe and convertible (known variously as convertible, speedster, roadster, and cabriolet) models were produced every year up to 1965.
The 356 Speedster was introduced in late 1954 after Max Hoffman, the sole US importer of Porsches, advised the company that a lower-cost, open-top version could sell well in the American market. With its low, raked windshield (which could be removed for weekend racing), bucket seats, and minimal folding top, the Speedster was an instant hit, especially in Southern California. Production of the Speedster peaked at 1,171 cars in 1957, and it was replaced in 1959 by the Convertible D model, which featured a taller, more practical windshield, glass side windows, and more comfortable seats.
The final revision, the 356C, featured disc brakes and two engine options, including the most powerful pushrod engine Porsche ever produced: the 95-hp "SC". 356 production peaked at 14,151 cars in 1964, the year that the new 911 model went on the market. The company continued to sell the 356C in North America through 1965, as demand for the model remained quite strong in the early days of the 911.
The 356's four-cylinder pushrod engine was later re-introduced in Porsche's "entry-level" 912 model, which was produced between 1965 and 1969 in response to customer complaints that the new 911 (at almost twice the price of the 356) was too expensive. Although in some ways the 912 did reprise the 356 in terms of specifications, it would not be accurate to say the 912 was successor to the 356: when the decision was made to replace the 356, the 911 was the only car intended to carry the Porsche name forward. Rather, the 912 was an afterthought intended to supply the lower end of the market Porsche had created, which the larger, faster and heavier 911 could not do.
The 356 has always been quite popular with the motor press, and in 2004 Sports Car International ranked the 356C tenth on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s. Today, the Porsche 356 is a highly-regarded collector car. The Porsche 356 Carrera (with a special racing engine), Super 90 and Speedster models are today among the most desirable versions. The original selling price of a late 1950s Porsche was around USD$4,000, which was also the price of a new Cadillac; today, these models regularly sell at auction for between USD$20,000 and USD$100,000.
Worldwide, thousands of owners maintain the 356 tradition, preserving their cars and driving them regularly.
[edit] 356 in Pop Culture
356s have appeared in a number of Hollywood movies, including the 48 Hours series, Top Gun and Doc Hollywood, among others.
[edit] References
- ^ Porsche History - Milestones. Retrieved on 2006-11-08.
- ^ The First True Production Porsche. Retrieved on 2006-11-08.
- ^ 356 Registry. 356 Timeline. Retrieved on November 8, 2006.
- Wood, J (1997). Porsche: The Legend. Paragon. ISBN 0-7525-2072-5.
[edit] See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- Porsche 550 Spyder
- Lake Underwood - USA racecar driver who made this model popular
[edit] External links
- World's largest online replica Speedster club
- replica Porsche 356 Convertible D - Enthusiast Site
- The 356 Registry
- 356CAR Northern California Club
- The Southern California 356 Club
- General 356 information
- 356 Carrera Cabriolet
- Porsche Convertible D Registry
- 356Burgh
- 356 Porsche UK
- Porsche 356 Photo gallery
| Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG - | ||
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