Description
Road & Track was very clear about it in November 1952: “… after a drive in the new Porsche, you are forced to admit that this is the car of the future. That seems, at first, a rather strong statement, but the impression of the car has left a completely new driving experience for the test editors. It is safe to say that no car in the history of Road & Track has provided so many different and new driving sensations.”
Although Ferdinand Porsche was already active in the automotive sector in the early 1930s, it would not be until 1949 that his name would appear on a car. While many people start small, it turns out that Porsche, looking back, first put its name on a model that went down as one of the greatest sports cars of all time, the 356.
The first models were built in collaboration with Reutter coachbuilders at the old location in Stuttgart. Since 1955, production has taken place at the Zuffenhausen factory. The Porsche 356 is built on a platform-type chassis with the air-cooled engine in the rear of course. That, along with a torsion bar and fully independent suspension, made the car feel even sportier than the chassis would suggest. This basically came from Volkswagen.
Continuous development of the model meant a better car every year, initially with a 1, 100 cc four-cylinder and later a 1, 300, 1, 500 and 1, 600 variant. In 1952, the two-piece windscreen made way for a curved one and the gearbox was synchronized from that moment on. After a few years, Porsche released the 356B, recognizable by changed details, such as the higher-placed bumpers that give the car a more modern appearance. Such a 356B, in the popular 1600 variant, is what you see here in the photos.
The car was completely restored a few years ago and, as befits a car in this class, it was done to the highest standard. The carriage has been completely bare and then professionally rebuilt and given Fjordrgüne paint. In combination with the red-brown leather interior, it makes for an amazing combination. The bodywork is particularly sleek, imperfections are foreign to the car. The wheels with beautiful chrome covers, hidden deep in the body, are in new condition. The rear, with the characteristic drop-shaped taillights and the single grille in the hood, is also extremely beautiful. The exhausts that flow into the bottom of the bumper rosettes are a very nice detail.
Looking further inside, the eye is drawn to a beautifully restored interior. The leather Speedster bucket seats in red-brown leather, the matching lacquered dashboard with the brilliant black dials with mint green print: the interior of the 356 is truly very special. The beige carpets and the very beautiful Nardi steering wheel complete the party.
The Porsche Geburtsurkunde is clear about it: This 1600, sold in Jacksonville, USA, has the original exterior color with which the car was delivered on February 20, 1961 via Brumosn Porsche Car Corporation. The engine is a reconditioned 1600 with beautiful open air filters from K&N for a nice characteristic sound. What an incredibly wonderful experience to be on the road with this very smooth and dynamically driving 356!
This 356 is in excellent condition and is truly perfect both optically and technically. Together with the stack of invoices, appraisal report, Porsche Geburtsurkunde and many other things such as club magazines and documentation, a great 356 to enjoy and enjoy.
