Evolution of The Porsche 356
Of all the automotive origin stories, few are as compelling as that of the Porsche 356. Born from the rubble and resourcefulness of post-war Europe, it was not merely a car but the embodiment of a singular vision. Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche, son of the prodigious engineer who designed the Volkswagen Beetle, famously declared, “I couldn’t find the sports car of my dreams, so I built it myself.” That dream, meticulously refined over seventeen years, became the 356—the car that laid the bedrock for one of the world’s most revered sporting marques. Its evolution is a masterclass in relentless, incremental improvement, a journey from a humble, Beetle-based curiosity to a sophisticated and world-beating GT.
The Genesis: Gmünd and the “Pre-A” (1948-1955)
The story begins not in Germany, but in a converted sawmill in Gmünd, Austria. It was here, in 1948, that Porsche KG constructed the very first car to bear the family name: the Porsche 356/1 Roadster. This mid-engined, aluminum-bodied prototype was a one-off, but it established the core principles of lightweight construction and aerodynamic efficiency. The subsequent production models, known as the Gmünd coupés, switched to a rear-engine layout for better packaging and cost-effectiveness, borrowing heavily from the Volkswagen parts bin for its engine, suspension, and transmission. Only around 50 of these exquisite, hand-hammered aluminum cars were built before the company relocated back to its home in Zuffenhausen, a district of Stuttgart, Germany, in 1950.
The move to Germany marked the beginning of series production and the era now known to enthusiasts as the “Pre-A.” To facilitate larger production numbers, Porsche contracted with the neighboring coachbuilder, Reutter, to produce steel bodies. These early Zuffenhausen cars (1950-1955) are characterized by their simple, uncluttered purity. Their most distinctive feature was the two-piece, bent windscreen with a rubber center strip, which was replaced in 1952 by a single-piece, V-shaped bent windscreen. The body was a picture of minimalism: a single, graceful curve from front to back, adorned with small “beehive” taillights and low-mounted, wafer-thin bumpers.
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The Pre-A was offered in two primary body styles: the Coupé and the Cabriolet. The engine, an air-cooled flat-four derived from the VW unit, underwent a steady evolution:
- 1100: The initial 1086cc engine produced a modest 40 horsepower.
- 1300: Capacity increased to 1286cc, lifting power to 44 hp.
- 1500: A significant jump to 1488cc brought a more sporting 60 hp in “Normal” trim.
- 1500 Super: The first high-performance variant, featuring roller-bearing crankshafts and other internal upgrades to produce a lively 70 hp.
In 1954, a legendary model joined the lineup at the behest of famed U.S. importer Max Hoffman. He argued that Porsche needed a cheaper, stripped-down, elemental sports car to compete with British roadsters in the burgeoning American market. The result was the 356 Speedster. With its low, raked, and removable windscreen, bucket seats, and minimal weather protection, it was a pure, unfiltered driving machine. The Speedster was an instant icon, cementing Porsche’s reputation in the crucial U.S. racing scene and popular culture.
A for Advancement: The 356 A (1955-1959)
By the mid-1950s, Porsche had established itself, and the 356 was ready for its first significant update. Introduced in late 1955 for the 1956 model year, the 356 A represented a major step towards refinement and performance. The most noticeable change was the adoption of a modern, curved, one-piece panoramic windscreen, which fundamentally altered the car’s profile. Inside, the dashboard was redesigned, moving away from the body-colored metal of the Pre-A to a padded, more luxurious layout. On the exterior, “teardrop” taillights replaced the earlier beehives, and the bumpers were raised slightly.
The “A” series saw a rationalization of the engine lineup around a new 1.6-liter block, while retaining the three-tiered performance structure:
- 1600 “Normal”: The base 1582cc engine produced a reliable 60 hp.
- 1600 Super: With higher compression and improved carburetors, this popular option delivered 75 hp.
- Carrera: The ultimate 356. Named after the grueling Carrera Panamericana road race, these models featured the complex and potent Type 547 four-cam engine designed by Dr. Ernst Fuhrmann. Initially displacing 1.5 liters and producing around 100-110 hp, it was a true racing engine for the road. Carreras were offered in “de Luxe” trim for street use and stripped-out “GT” trim for competition, featuring aluminum body panels and spartan interiors.
The body styles continued with the Coupé, Cabriolet, and the wildly popular Speedster. However, for the final model year of the 356 A (1959), the Speedster was replaced by the Convertible D. The “D” stood for Drauz, the coachbuilder who produced the body. It offered a compromise between the spartan Speedster and the plusher Cabriolet, featuring a taller, more practical windscreen and roll-up glass windows, making it a more comfortable daily proposition.
B for Body Change: The 356 B (1959-1963)
The 356 B, launched in late 1959, was the most significant visual redesign in the car’s history. It brought the 356’s styling firmly into the 1960s. The entire front end was re-profiled, with the headlights raised nearly four inches for better illumination and to meet new regulations. The front fenders became more pronounced, and the bumpers were raised significantly, incorporating large vertical overriders and integrated ducts for brake cooling.
The 356 B is often subdivided into two series based on body details. The initial T5 body (1959-1961) featured a rounded bonnet lid and a single grille on the engine cover. In 1962, the T6 body was introduced, distinguished by a squared-off front bonnet, a larger rear window on the coupé, an external fuel filler cap on the front right fender, and twin grilles on the engine lid for improved cooling.
The model lineup was again reshuffled. The Convertible D was replaced by the Roadster, also built by Drauz, which continued the concept of a lighter open-topped car. An unusual and short-lived variant was the Karmann Hardtop Coupé or “Notchback,” which was essentially a cabriolet body with a fixed steel roof welded in place.
The engine range was further refined, offering more power across the board:
- 1600: The new base engine now produced 60 hp with a more robust design.
- 1600 Super: Known simply as the “Super,” it provided 75 hp.
- 1600 Super 90: A new pinnacle for the pushrod engine lineup, the “S90” delivered a thrilling 90 hp thanks to Solex P40-II carburetors and a counter-weighted crankshaft.
- Carrera 2 / 2000 GS: The four-cam engine was bored and stroked to 2.0 liters (1966cc), now producing a formidable 130 hp. This was the fastest and most powerful road-going 356 ever built.
C for Culmination: The 356 C (1963-1965)
The final iteration of the 356, the C-series, arrived in mid-1963. Visually, it was nearly identical to the preceding T6-bodied 356 B, with the most obvious change being new, flatter hubcaps that concealed the wheel lugs. The true evolution of the 356 C was mechanical, representing the peak of the model’s development.
The most significant upgrade was the adoption of ATE four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment across the entire range. This was a monumental improvement, giving the 356 braking power that matched its performance and putting it ahead of many of its contemporaries.
Porsche simplified the model and engine lineup, dropping the Roadster and the 60 hp base engine. The choices were now clear and performance-oriented:
- 356 C (Coupé/Cabriolet): Equipped with the 75 hp engine, essentially a continuation of the previous “Super” tune.
- 356 SC (Coupé/Cabriolet): The new high-performance pushrod model, replacing the S90. With improved cylinder heads and carburetors, it produced a potent 95 hp, making it the most powerful two-valve 356 ever offered.
- Carrera 2: The 130 hp, 2.0-liter four-cam beast remained available for discerning customers seeking ultimate performance.
Production of the 356 C Coupé and Cabriolet officially wound down in 1965, as the company’s full attention turned to its revolutionary successor, the 911. A handful of 356 C cabriolets were built in early 1966 for the Dutch police, marking the final end of an era.
The Enduring Legacy
The evolution of the Porsche 356 is a story of constant, thoughtful refinement. From the 40-horsepower, aluminum-bodied Gmünd Coupé to the 95-horsepower, disc-braked 356 SC, every change was purposeful. Each new series—A, B, and C—was a tangible step forward in performance, comfort, and usability, yet the car never lost its essential character: its lightweight agility, the distinctive thrum of its air-cooled engine, and its intimate connection between driver and road. Over its 17-year production run, more than 76,000 examples were built. The 356 not only established Porsche as a dominant force in the sports car world but also created a blueprint for engineering integrity and driving pleasure that defines the brand to this day. It was the dream Ferry Porsche built, and it became a legend.
