Model-356

356C 1600 SC ~ 1965-1965
Overview The mid-range 356C was the 1600 SC. The main difference from the entry-level car being a more powerful, higher compression version of the 1.6-litre overhead valve engine that produced 95bhp at a heady 5800rpm. To give a sportier ride, Koni dampers were fitted in place of the Boge items..Read More
356C 2000 GS Carrera 2 ~ 1964-1964
Overview This short-lived successor to the 356B 2000 GS Carrera 2 was essentially the same car, albeit with minor changes to the body, interior and suspension, in line with the rest of the range. As with the rest of the range, disc brakes were fitted as standard. How to spot..Read More
356C 1600 ~ 1964-1965
Overview The final incarnation of the entry-level 356 was 356C. This used essentially the same body shell as the previous model. The 1.6-litre overhead valve engine was updated to produce a modest but useful 75bhp. For the first time, all-round disc brakes were standard on the 356, while the suspension..Read More
356B 2000 GS Carrera 2 ~ 1962-1963
Overview The successor to the 1600 GS Carrera GT was produced for homologation into the GT racing class. It fitted with a new 2.0-litre overhead camshaft engine that developed 130bhp. The body and interior was based on that of the lesser 356B cars. All but the first Carrera 2s were..Read More
356B 2000 GS-GT Carrera 2 ~ 1962-1963
Overview This lightweight version of the Carrera 2 used essentially the same body and interior as the previous Carrera GT, complete with lightweight aluminium panels and plastic windows. The main difference being the new 2.0-litre overhead camshaft engine that was tuned to produce 140bhp. This, combined with the light weight,..Read More
356B Carrera GTL Abarth ~ 1960-1960
Overview Porsche commissioned a small number of lightweight 356B racecars from Abarth, the Turin-based racing specialist. The restyled bodywork was made from aluminium and sleeker and more aerodynamic than the standard 356. The interior was stripped out to save weight, too. The GTL was powered by an uprated 1600 engine..Read More
356B 1600 Super ~ 1960-1963
Overview This more powerful 356B boasted an output of 75bhp, up 15bhp on the entry-level car thanks mainly to an increased compression ratio. Visually, it was upgraded in line with the entry-level B; the front bumper and headlamps were higher, while the indicators lenses protruded further and the handle on..Read More
356B 1600 ~ 1960-1963
Overview The 356 was heavily revised for 1960. Visually, the front bumper and headlamps were higher, while the indicators lenses protruded further and the handle on the bonnet became wider. New vents under the front bumper fed air to the brakes. The cabin boasted a new three-spoked steering wheel, shorter..Read More
356B 1600 GS Carrera GT Coupe ~ 1960-1961
Overview This is a very rare car; it is believed that just 40 were produced for Porsche by the Reutter coachworks company. The main body was made from steel but was then fitted with lightweight aluminium doors, boot and engine lids, and seat frames. Also to save weight, the front..Read More
356B 1660 Roadster ~ 1960-1962
Overview Essentially the successor to the 356A Speedster, the Roadster had the same mechanical’s as the 356B 1660, and the same body updates, but with a lightweight hood and simpler, race-orientated interior. How to spot Raised front bumper and headlamps. Wide bonnet handle. Vents under front bumper. Simple, unlined hood...Read More
356B 1600 Super 90 Roadster ~ 1960-1962
Overview The top of the range Roadster with the 90bhp engine of the Super 90, making it a fun and fast car in its day. In other ways, it was identical to the 1600 Roadster, with the 356B body body updates, plus a lightweight hood and simpler, race-orientated interior. How..Read More
356B 1600 Super 90 ~ 1960-1963
Overview This was the most powerful 356B with, as its name suggest, an output of 90bhp thanks mainly to an increased compression ratio and the use of two twin-choke Solex carburettors. Visually, it was upgraded in line with the entry-level B; the front bumper and headlamps were higher, while the..Read More
356B 1600 Super Roadster ~ 1960-1963
Overview This more powerful 356B Roadster boasted an output of 75bhp, up 15bhp on the entry-level car thanks mainly to an increased compression ratio. In other ways, it was identical to the 1600 Roadster, with the 356B body body updates, plus a lightweight hood and simpler, race-orientated interior. How to..Read More
356A 1600S Convertible D ~ 1959-1959
Overview This car replaced the 1600S Speedster and was in production for just one year. Mechanically, it was the same as the 1600S but in a Convertible body made by Drauz. How to spot Taller windscreen than Speedster conventional wind-up side windows and hood larger rear window Chrome side strip..Read More
356A 1600GS Carrera de Luxe ~ 1959-1959
Overview For the last year of production, Porsche increased the GS engine to 1588cc and that meant the power rose to 105bhp. How to spot Carrera badges on front wings and rear end no side stripes Variations The 1600GS Carrera de Luxe was available in Coupe, Cabriolet, Hardtop-Coupe and Hardtop/Cabriolet..Read More
356A 1600GS Carrera GT de Luxe ~ 1959-1959
Overview This incarnation of the Carrera GT used the 1588cc engine but uprated to produce 115bhp. Weight was saved by using aluminium doors, bonnet and engine lid. This was a more race-orientated car than the standard 1600GS. How to spot Carrera badges on front wings and rear end no overriders..Read More
356A 1600 Convertible D ~ 1959-1959
Overview For 1959, the Speedster was replaced by the less-evocatively named Convertible D (for Drauz, the coachbuilder that made the bodies). The D was, though, a more practical car, with a taller windscreen, wind-up windows and a better hood. It had the same dash as the Speedster but with more..Read More
356A 1500GS Carrera de Luxe Speedster ~ 1958-1958
Overview For 1958, Porsche made the Speedster more desirable with more comfortable seats and a better interior specification How to spot Speedster badges on front wings and rear end chrome side stripe Specification Capacity: 1498cc Compression ratio: 9.0:1 Maximum Power: 100bhp @ 6200rpm Maximum Torque: 119Nm @ 5200rpm Brakes: Front: 280x40mm drums; rear: 280x40mm drums..Read More
356A 1500GS Carrera de Luxe ~ 1958-1958
Overview For 1958, Porsche made the previously racy GS Carrera a more luxurious car, adding more comfortable seats (front and rear) and equipment, but at the expense of lightness and performance. How to spot Carrera badges on front wings and engine cover overriders front and rear Variations The 356A 1500..Read More
356A 1500GS Carrera GT Speedster ~ 1957-1958
Overview This exciting car had the ultimate 356A engine in the sleek and lightweight Speedster bodyshell How to spot Low screen and hood extra small louvres each side of the main engine cover vent no overriders Specification Capacity: 1498cc Compression ratio: 9.0:1 Maximum Power: 110bhp @ 6400rpm Maximum Torque: 124Nm @ 5200rpm Brakes: Front: 280x40mm..Read More
356A 1600S Speedster ~ 1956-1958
Overview This was an updated version of the 356A Speedster fitted with the more powerful 75bhp Super engine. In other respects, it was the same as the standard 1600 Speedster How to Spot Cut-down windscreen simple hood and side-curtains Speedster rear badge Specification Capacity: 1582cc Compression ratio: 8.5:1 Maximum Power: 75bhp @ 5000rpm..Read More
356A 1600 ~ 1956-1959
Overview By the mid-1950s, the larger 1600cc engine made a lot more sense than the under powered 1300 and this model went on to become the entry-level 356 after the 1300 was discontinued in 1957. How to Spot One-piece curved windscreen Porsche crest incorporated into the bonnet handle Variations The..Read More
356A 1600S ~ 1956-1959
Overview The 356A S or Super was similar to the basic 1600 car but with a more powerful engine that produced 75bhp, thanks to a higher compression ratio of 8.5:1 and different carburettors. How to Spot One-piece curved windscreen Porsche crest incorporated into the bonnet handle Variations The 356A 1600..Read More
356A 1300 Super ~ 1956-1957
Overview The short-lived 1.3-litre 356A was also offered in Super form. Raising the compression ratio from 6.5:1 to 7.5:1 led to a useful increase in power from 44 to 60bhp. This had a dramatic impact on performance, with the 0-62mph time being cut from 22 to 17 seconds. How to..Read More
356A 1500GS Carrera ~ 1956-1957
Overview This was one of the ultimate 356s. Fitted with a revvy double-overhead cam engine that produced an amazing, for its day, 100bhp at a heady 6200rpm, this was a seriously exciting car. How to Spot Carrera badges on front wings and engine cover racing-style bucket seats Variations The 356A..Read More
356A 1500GS Carrera GT ~ 1956-1957
Overview A lighter and more powerful Carrera, thanks to aluminium doors, bonnet and engine cover, plastic rear windows, plus an updated engine that developed 110bhp. It was available with front seats only. How to Spot Carrera badging extra small louvres each side of the main engine cover vent no overriders..Read More
356A 1500GS Carrera Speedster ~ 1956-1957
Overview The combination of the buzzy 1500cc race-orientated engine and sleek Speedster bodywork made this an exciting addition to the 356 range for a short period. How to Spot Low-slung roof over reduced-height windscreen simple side curtains optional hardtop Specification Capacity: 1498cc Compression ratio: 9.0:1 Maximum Power: 100bhp @ 6200rpm Maximum Torque: 119Nm @..Read More
356A 1600 Speedster ~ 1956-1958
Overview The A version of the Speedster now used a similar dash to the rest of the range, with three equal-sized dials, although the ignition switch remained to the right of the steering column. In other respects, too, the Speedster was updated in line with the rest of the range,..Read More
356A 1300 ~ 1956-1957
Overview The September 1955 Frankfurt motor show saw the unveiling of a much-improved version of the 356. Dubbed the 356A, this new model could be immediately be recognised by its smoothly curved windscreen, while inside there was a new dashboard. The entry-level model was the 1300 which produced a by..Read More
356 1500 Speedster ~ 1955-1955
Overview Porsche introduced the Speedster name for the first time in 1995. Designed primarily for the US market this was a car with a lower windscreen, simple hood and side-curtains in place of wind-up windows. It was a fun car for use in warm, dry climates. The interior was different,..Read More
356 1500 Super Speedster ~ 1955-1955
Overview Introduced at the same time as the standard Speedster, this Super version used the more powerful 70bhp engine but was, in other respects, identical to its sibling. How to Spot Low windscreen with simple, low-slung hood. Chrome side stripes. Speedster script on engine cover. Specification Capacity: 1488cc Compression ratio: 6.5:1 Maximum..Read More
356 1300S ~ 1954-1955
Overview The 356 1300S was unveiled at the Paris Salon in October 1953. It boasted a 1300cc engine that produced 60bhp. For the 1954 model year, all 356s were treated to additional sound insulation, more comfortable seats, passenger seat belts and two coat hooks; Porsche was realising that, to widen..Read More
356 1500 ~ 1953-1955
Overview The 356 1500 was revised for 1953 with a new engine that was actually less powerful than the old one, produces 55bhp compared to 60bhp. The brakes, meanwhile, were updated with larger drums all round. The bumpers were enlarged, moved away from the body and fitted with overriders for..Read More
356 1500S ~ 1953-1955
Overview The 1953 356 range was treated to a new gearbox with full synchromesh, larger drum brakes, road tail-lights (two on each side) and restyled bumpers. Inside the now-famous Porsche crest appeared for the first time, on the steering wheel boss. The 1500S was a new additional to the range...Read More
356 1500 ~ 1952-1952
Overview In 1952, the 356 was updated with a new, single-piece windscreen, larger front bonnet handle and rubber-inlaid bumpers. Inside, there were new, green-digited instruments and a speedometer was now standard. Also new this year was the option of a larger 1500cc engine that lifted power to 60bhp. This was..Read More
356 1500 America Roadster ~ 1952-1953
Overview This limited edition 356 was built exclusively for the US market and featured a lightweight aluminium bodyshell and simple hood and seats. In some ways, it drew styling inspiration of the very first 356 of 1948. The combination of lightweight and a 70bhp engine made this rare car a..Read More
356 1300 ~ 1951-1955
Overview Initially only available with an 1100cc engine, in 1951 Porsche offered the 356 with a more powerful 1300cc engine, facilitated by changing the bore and stroke from 64×73.5mm to 64x80mm. However, at the same time, the compression ratio fell from 7.0:1 to 6.5:1, so the power only increased by..Read More
356 1100 ~ 1950-1953
Overview The very first Porsches were hand-built in an old sawmill in the Austrian town of Gmund, and each one was different. However, in 1950 production moved to Stuttgart in Germany and the cars became more standardised. Various models were produced over the years and the first, now known as..Read More