The Porsche 356, designed by Ferry Porsche, was based on the Volkswagen his father created, featuring a platform chassis, rear-mounted air-cooled engine, and torsion bar independent suspension. Shortly after the release of the original 356 coupe, a cabriolet followed. In 1952, Porsche produced 15 roadsters at the suggestion of US...
Porsche 356 A
Many significant improvements were incorporated in the Porsche 356 A in late 1955 and continued in subsequent models. The chassis was changed, which made the cars easier to work on, the dash was modified to the three-instrument cluster that continued throughout 356 production, and the windshield was changed from the “bent windshield to a curved one. This new generation was introduced with the internal factory designation “Type 1” (also known as the “T1”) and initially offered three body styles: Coupe, Cabriolet, and Speedster (later replaced by the Convertible D). The suspension was improved a great deal, making the 356A and later models handle and ride much better than the pre-As. Engine displacement options included both 1300 and 1600 cc motors, both of which were also offered as more powerful “S” variants. There was also a high-performance variant denoted as the 356 A Carrera, getting the special race-derived 1500 cc four-cam engine developed for the Porsche 550 Spyder. In early 1957 a second revision of the 356 A was introduced, known as Type 2 (or T2) 356 A, which featured minor cosmetic changes, including a new dashboard and teardrop taillights. See our Porsche 356 Research Hub
While the staff here at Stuttcars can never get enough of Porsche’s latest GT3s and 963 prototypes, there’s true reverence for the sports car that founded the company, the 356. It’s true beauty in its simplicity, the 356 has earned a spot in collections the world over with a reputation...
Carrera Speedster In 1955, less than a year after the 356 Speedster model was introduced, Porsche built the first example equipped with the competition-derived four-cam Carrera engine. The result was a brilliant dual-purpose sports car, and the Carrera Speedster continued to be improved and refined throughout production. For 1957, Porsche...
Introduced in late 1954, the Porsche 356 A Speedster continued as a stripped-down, affordable, sports-oriented convertible within the 356 A generation. Featuring a removable cut-down windshield, a lightweight detachable top, and side curtains instead of roll-up windows found in the 356 A Cabriolet, the Speedster embodied simplicity. Initially powered by...
A rare Emory Motorsports restomod 1958 Porsche 356A is currently up for auction on Bring A Trailer and is said to be the fifth Emory Special built. Emory Motorsports is a company that makes the best Porsche “Outlaw” cars. The attention to detail is stunning and there are few more...
Emory Motorsports is a company that makes the best Porsche “Outlaw” cars. The attention to detail is stunning and there are few more beautiful machines to exist. This particular model based on a 1959 Porsche 356A is no exception to Emory Motorsports’ reputation. It’s immaculate and absolutely gorgeous. The car...
It’s really hard not to love this Porsche 356 A Carrera Speedster! Photo Credit: Ted7 (@iamted7)...
“Best of the Best” 356A Carrera Facts 1957 Porsche 356A (T1) Carrera 1500 GT/GT chassis no.100369 Exterior color: Silver Metallic/ 5706 interior color: Black ODOMETER: 2,690 miles Engine N0. 90724 Transmission No. 14902 Numbers Matching Highlights The first steel-bodied Carrera GS GT imported into the U.S. Numbers-matching engine #90824 (not...
Collecting Cars is currently offering a 1957 Porsche 356 A Speedster that was purchased and owned for 50 years by the famous co-creator of Woodstock Music & Art Festival, Michael Lang. Michael Lang started out as an owner of a head shop that was based in Coconut Grove, Florida. After...
Join Road Scholars’ Cam Ingram and Udo Reisinger as they take the 1958 Porsche 356A Coupe on its final post restoration test drive....
Produced in 1959 only, the Porsche 356 Convertible D was the replacement for the 356 A Speedster. In many ways this reflected Porsches desire to make more expensive and premium models. As a result, the $3,695 Convertible was much more expensive than the Speedster it replaced. As such the new car featured roll-up...
Episode One: The Porsche 356 Summary Welcome to The Audiobahn, the Stuttcars.com podcast focused on all things Porsche. In our first series, we’re exploring the history of venerable 911: its history, origins, achievements, and future. In our first-ever Audiobahn episode, we’re starting with where the 911 began: the Porsche 356. Read...
The Porsche 356A Speedster is a beautiful car and an important part of Porsche’s long motoring history. There’s a 1958 version of the car for sale at Bring A Trailer right now. This Porsche has remained under the ownership of a single family from 1967 to 2022 and joined the 1987 La Carrera...
This is no ordinary Porsche “I’ve had so many great times in it, all over the world. Even the Eskimos like it!” As you may have guessed, this is no ordinary Porsche; Lorenzo has owned his 356-A since he was 21, and in his over 50 years of ownership he...
Porsche 356 Production & Chassis Numbers (1950 – 1965) The evolution of the 356 was constant throughout its production history. Changes were introduced in the middle of a model year, necessitating inspection of the manufacturing year as well as the sales model year to really understand the total production numbers....
Porsche 356 Engine Codes There are several important numbers to identify a 356 engine. The first, and most obvious one, is the serial number, which uniquely identifies each engine. It is on the “third piece” of the case, or timing cover, below the generator stand (or on the generator stand...
1957 – 1958 Porsche 356A/1500GS Carrera GT Speedster Pictures & Gallery...
1959 Porsche 356A/1600GS Carrera de Luxe Cabriolet Pictures & Gallery...
1959 Porsche 356A/1600GS Carrera de Luxe Coupé Pictures & Gallery...
1959 Porsche 356A/1600 Super Convertible D Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1959 Porsche 356A/1600 Super Speedster Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1959 Porsche 356A/1600 Super Cabriolet Pictures & Gallery ...
1956 – 1959 Porsche 356A/1600 Super Coupe Pictures & Gallery ...
1956 – 1957 Porsche 356A/1300 Super Speedster Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1957 Porsche 356A/1300 Super Cabriolet Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1957 Porsche 356A/1300 Super Coupe Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1957 Porsche 356A/1300 Speedster Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1957 Porsche 356A/1300 Cabriolet Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1957 Porsche 356A/1300 Coupe Pictures & Gallery...
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POV Drive In An 1800cc Twin Plug 356A Speedster Sit back, turn up the volume and enjoy...
Molly ready for the Peking to Paris rally in 2007 © David & Julie Harrison She was manufactured in 1958, and much of her early life is unrecorded. But in 2004, a customer of Gantspeed Engineering, Lincolnshire, England, asked the workshop’s owner, Robert Gant, to find him a right-hand drive...
An Automotive Icon One of the most iconic Porsches of all time is the 356A Cabriolet and now you have a chance to own one if you want it bad enough. The 356A Cabriolet you see here is currently for sale at Bring A Trailer. The car is a 1958...
POV Drive In 356A Speedster This 1956 Porsche 356A Speedster is completely original and unrestored making it incredibly rare. It has 37,800 original miles on the odometer and it’s looking for a new home....
A True Porsche Specimen The Porsche 356A Speedster is a beautiful car and an important part of Porsche’s long motoring history. There’s a 1958 version of the car for sale at Bring A Trailer right now. The current bid is at $205,000 and the auction ends in seven days. If...
Shifting the Recipe a Bit Rod Emory of Emory Motorsports has revealed the 1959½ Speedster. It’s the latest evolution of the company’s vision for its Outlaw 356 Porsches. The Transitional Speedster you see here came to be from a 356 coupe that had sustained significant roof damage. The roof was...
One of the Best ‘Outlaws’ on the Planet Emory Motorsports is a company that makes the best Porsche “Outlaw” cars. The attention to detail is stunning and there are few more beautiful machines to exist. Now there is a 1959 Porsche 356A sunroof coupe for sale on Bring a Trailer....
A 1997 Porsche Boxster (left) and a 1958 Porsche 356 A Speedster (right) The day dawned bright and clear with little sign of any clouds, a typical Highveld winter’s day. After an early morning meeting for coffee, the small group consisting of two owner/drivers, a journalist (myself), a photographer and...
The Auratium Green 356 A Type 2 Please turn on Closed Captions to enjoy this film in English. This is the story of following a trail of gas into the a tractor barn. It is a story of a family legacy of mechanical inclination and a desire to learn from...
1953 Porsche 356 America After decades collecting dust in a storage building in the California desert, a 1953 Porsche 356 America coupe is returned to the road and reunited with the 93-year-old original owner. 2018 Winner of the Los Angeles Movie Awards Best Documentary Short. A film by Red Guitar,...
1957 Porsche 356A Outlaw Chuck Olenyk turned this coulda-been shoulda-been coupe into a classic speedster with all factory parts – by himself in his home garage!...
1956 Porsche 356A is a “Sunroof Coupe” This 1956 Porsche 356A is a “Sunroof Coupe” that has been owned by the current owner since 1990. It is powered by the original 1600CC engine making approximately 85 horsepower and, as a restored driver example, is a delight to wheel around....
1956 – 1958 Porsche 356A/1500GS Carrera Speedster Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1959 Porsche 356A/1600 Coupe Pictures & Gallery...
1959 Porsche 356A/1600 Convertible D Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1959 Porsche 356A/1600 Cabriolet Pictures & Gallery...
1957 – 1958 Porsche 356A/1500GS Carrera GT Coupé Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1959 Porsche 356A/1500GS Carrera Cabriolet Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1959 Porsche 356A/1500GS Carrera Coupe Pictures & Gallery...
The original Porsche Carrera Zagato Speedster, the first Zagato bodied Porsche of the brand’s history, was built in 1958 for French gentleman driver and expert Porsche pilot Claude Storez, one of the best French pilots of that time. He started his career in early 50s and became soon a skilled pilot. In late ’57 he was looking for the “ultimate” 356 for the 1958 races season. He put an order to Porsche AG for a 356 A Speedster (the lightest version available) with a Carrera engine and GS specs (the most powerful at that time).
1958 – 1959 Porsche 356A/1600GS Carrera GT Coupé Pictures & Gallery...
1958 – 1959 Porsche 356A/1600 Super GT Speedster Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1958 Porsche 356A/1600 Speedster Pictures & Gallery ...
Of all the Carreras, the 1959 de Luxe was best suited for the road. Not only was it the most luxurious 356, but it was also was the only year to get the large 1600cc 4-cam engine. The Type 692/2 engine was a much different engine than the 1500cc unit it replaced. The newer unit used plain main bearings instead of roller bearings. Furthermore, the distributors were moved to the end of the crankshaft and the engine shroud was better attached to the 356A body. With twin Solex carburetors, the somewhat detuned version offered 105 bhp @ 6500 rpm.
Available in all body styles, the Porsche 356 A Carrera featured the race car-derived 1500 cc four-cam engine (type 547) developed for the Porsche 550 Spyder. Rated up to 110 hp, it was the top performance 356 A model available. Variants included the Carrera 1500GS and Carrera 1500GT, differentiated by their horsepower. In 1958, Porsche updated the Carrera engines (now type 692), increasing the displacement up to 1600 cc and output increased to 105 and 110 hp respectively. In 1959 horsepower for the GT increased again to 115.
Despite looking outwardly similar to the preceding models, Porsche thoroughly updated their 356 line in 1956 and called their new model the 356A. At the core, this included a larger 1600 cc engine, but also a curved-glass windshield and a thoroughly revised suspension. At the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show in September of 1955, Porsche released the 356A/1600 to the world with cabriolet, coupe and speedster bodies from Reutter. The 356A/1600 was a great performer, good for a sprint to 60 mph in 13.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 109 mph.
Despite looking outwardly similar to the preceding models, Porsche thoroughly updated their 356 line in 1956 and called their new model the 356A. At the core, this included a larger 1600 cc engine, but also a curved-glass windshield and a thoroughly revised suspension. At the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show in September of 1955, Porsche released the 356A/1600 to the world with cabriolet, coupe and speedster bodies from Reutter. Produced in 1959 only, the Porsche 356 Convertible D was the replacement for the 356 A Speedster, which was discontinued after 1958.
From the outside, the 356A kept to the Porsche mantra of stepwise evolution. The new model was outwardly identical to the previous version except for the wider tires, a small rub-strip below the doors, a fully-curved front window and enamel paint replacing lacquer previously used. The 356 A came with an all-alloy air-cooled Flat 4 engine in four states of tune, with the 1300 having Type 589/2 engine with 60 bhp and 65 lb-ft of torque.
From the outside, the 356A kept to the Porsche mantra of stepwise evolution. The new model was outwardly identical to the previous version except for the wider tires, a small rub-strip below the doors, a fully-curved front window and enamel paint replacing lacquer previously used. The 356 A came with an all-alloy air-cooled Flat 4 engine in four states of tune, with the 1300 having Type 506/2 engine with 44 bhp and 60 lb-ft.
A Drive In A 1956 Porsche 356A T1 Speedster Starting any classic car is special. There is the sensation that something distinct and superior is taking place because of the rituals observed and details you notice. On this 1956 Porsche 356A T1 Speedster for example the windscreen is removable, the...
A handful of push-rod 356As were delivered from the factory with a lightweight package that was usually reserved for the Carrera race cars. Called GTs, these got the stripped out interior, aluminum doors, a large fuel tank and Porsche ATE disc brakes. As few as four Speedsters came equipped this way. Since the four-cam was only a marginal improvement in power, the regular 1600 Super was more than enough for the small car.
Following the Pre-A prototypes and a run of quad-cams with the 1500cc engine, the 1600 Carrera GT was a performance 356 that used a larger version of the Porsche 550 Spyder's potent engine. As early as 1958, some Carreras were fitted with a larger engine known as the Type 692. The new unit featured a larger displacement which was better suited for the 1600cc class. Furthermore, it was improved considerably adopting plain bearings and new ignition system.
In May of 1957, Porsche offered two distinct versions of the Carrera, one called the de Luxe for the street and this model, the Gran Turismo, for the track. The main difference between the two models was weight. The Carrera GT was a purpose-built car with little on board amenities. For instance, no heater was fitted giving the car its 'icebox' nickname. Furthermore, the interior was stripped of sound deadening, side windows were replaced by pull-up Perspex units and only simple door panels were fitted.