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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

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Porsche 356 A

Porsche 356A/1600 Super GT Speedster (1958 – 1959)

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.
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Porsche 356 A

Porsche 356 A 1600 GS Carrera GT (1958 – 1959)

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.
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Porsche 356 A

Porsche 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT (1957 – 1958)

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.
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