Porsche 356 Cars – The Ever Classic Porsche

Porsche 356 cars, built from 1948 to 1965 (data for 1960-type S90)

Built by: Dr. lng.h.c. F. Porsche KG., West Germany.

Engine: Four cylinders, horizontally opposed, in three-bearing, light-alloy block/crankcase, and air cooled. Bore and stroke 82.5mm by 74mm, 1582cc (3.2in × 2.91in, 96.5cu.in).Two light-alloy cylinder heads. Two overhead valves per cylinder, operated by pushrods and rockers from single camshaft, centrally mounted in crankcase. Two downdraught Zenith carburetors. Maximum power 90bhp (net) at 5,500rpm. Maximum torque 89lb.ft at 4,300rpm.

Transmission: Single-dry-plate clutch, and four-speed, all-synchromesh manual gearbox, both in unit with rear-mounted engine. Engine behind line of rear wheels and gearbox ahead of it. Remote-control central gear-change. Spiral-bevel final drive and exposed, universally jointed drive shafts to rear wheels.

Chassis: Pressed-steel punt-type chassis frame, topped by pressed-steel and light-alloy-panelled coupé or convertible bodyshells. Independent VW-type front suspension by trailing arms, transverse torsion bars andante-roll bar. Independent rear suspension by swinging half–axles, radius arms and transverse torsion bars. Telescopic dampers. Worm-and-roller steering. Four-wheel, hydraulically operated drum brakes. 15in pressed-steel-disc wheels. 5.60 × 15in tires.

Dimensions: Wheelbase 6ft 10.7in (210cm), track (front) 4ft 3.4in (130.5cm), track (rear) 4ft 2.1in (127cm). overall length 13ft 1.9in (401cm). Unladen weight 1,985lb (900kg).

History:

Dr. Porsche had been in the center of modern motor car development since Edwardian times, but it was son Ferry who laid out the bare bones of the Porsche car project after World War II. Using VW Beetle mechanical equipment – engines, transmissions and suspensions – Porsche built their very first car in 1948 and this had the engine ahead of the rear wheel line. However, all production cars reverted to the familiar VW-style layout, with the air-cooled flat-four engine overhanging the rear wheels.

Type 356, incidentally, indicated that this was the 356th project undertaken by the Porsche design office since its formation in 1930. Early Porsches were 1100s, with very nearly standard VW engines, but they very rapidly found success in motor racing and proved to be surprisingly strong rally cars.

Production was well under way by 1950, when steel-bodied cars were phased in at the new Zuffenhausen works, to replace the original light-alloy. Enlargement began in 1951 when the 1,286cc car was announced, 1,488cc Porsches were revealed in 1951 and the first 1,582cc car followed in 1955. This engine, developed from its original 60bhp output to 95bhp in 1965, was standardized for the last ten years of the 356’s life. In all this time there was only one significant restyling operation – in 1959 when headlamps and bumpers were raised, the windscreen enlarged and trim updated. The Porsche’s shape was always aerodynamically efficient, and the last of the Super 90s was good for 115mph, with excellent fuel economy. Although the 356 carried on until 1965, it was effectively replaced by the 911 series, which went into series production in 1964.

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