The Porsche 356 marked the beginning of Porsche as a manufacturer of cars carrying its own name. Before this, the company was primarily involved in engineering and design work for other manufacturers. The first Porsche-branded car appeared in 1948 under Ferry Porsche, the son of company founder Ferdinand Porsche.
Porsche was based in Gmünd, Austria, during this early period. The first car, now known as the 356/1 or 356 No. 1, differed considerably from the production models that came afterwards. It was an open two-seater with its engine positioned in the middle of the car. The cars that followed, known as the 356/2, adopted the rear-engine arrangement that became associated with Porsche for decades. The early Austrian-built cars were constructed with aluminium bodies.
Manufacturing later moved from Gmünd to Stuttgart in Germany. With the change came a different approach to construction. Producing hand-shaped aluminium panels was not suitable for larger-scale manufacture, so steel body panels were adopted instead. These early German-built cars are generally grouped together today under the name “Pre-A,” although Porsche did not originally use this as their model designation.
The windscreen provides one of the easiest ways of distinguishing some of these early cars. The first examples used two separate pieces of glass, while later Pre-A cars received a single windscreen with a noticeable bend in its centre.
Porsche continued to refine the 356 throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. The car was never completely redesigned from one generation to the next. Instead, its development consisted of regular mechanical, structural and styling improvements. These changes eventually produced the 356 A, B and C.
The Early 356 and Pre-A
Cars built between the beginning of 356 production and the introduction of the 356 A in 1955 are now normally described as Pre-A models.
Production was still very limited during the Gmünd period, with the bodies made from aluminium. After Porsche returned to Stuttgart, Reutter became responsible for producing the bodies and steel replaced aluminium for normal production.
The earliest 356 engines had a capacity of approximately 1100 cc and were closely related to Volkswagen components. Porsche gradually developed the engine range as the car matured. The 1300 and 1500 versions appeared in 1951, providing considerably better performance than the original engine. A higher-performance 1300 S, with the “S” standing for Super, was introduced in 1953. By this point, the original 1100 version was being phased out.
An unusual model from this period was the America Roadster. Produced in very small numbers in 1953, it used an aluminium body and was intended as a particularly lightweight sporting version of the 356. Its rarity and construction have made it one of the more sought-after early 356 variants.
Another important development came with the arrival of the Speedster. Introduced in late 1954, it was designed as a simpler sports car with less equipment than the regular 356. Its most obvious features were its low windscreen, basic removable roof and side curtains instead of wind-up door windows. A 1500 cc engine producing around 55 hp was available. Exact figures for the earliest Speedsters are uncertain, although some estimates put Pre-A Speedster production at approximately 200 cars.
The Carrera and Four-Cam Engine
The Carrera name identified some of the most specialised versions of the 356. Instead of the normal pushrod engines fitted to most cars, Carrera models used Porsche's much more sophisticated four-cam engine, which had been developed with competition in mind.
The first Pre-A Carreras used a 1500 cc version producing approximately 110 hp. The engine could be installed in different 356 body styles, including the coupé, cabriolet and Speedster. Production was extremely limited during this early period, with approximately 97 engines believed to have been produced between 1954 and early 1955.
Carrera development did not end with the Pre-A. Four-cam engines continued to appear in later generations, initially in 1.5- and 1.6-litre capacities. Eventually, the concept reached 2.0 litres with the Carrera 2, which was available during the later 356 B T6 period and with the 356 C.
This represented a considerable development from the small 1.1-litre engine used in the earliest cars.
The 356 A
A more clearly defined new version arrived towards the end of 1955 with the 356 A. The first 356 A was known internally as Type 1, which is the reason these cars are commonly called T1 models today.
The overall shape remained recognisably that of the 356, but numerous details were changed. One noticeable improvement was the windscreen. The unusual bent glass of the later Pre-A was replaced by a conventionally curved screen. Changes were also made inside the car, including a redesigned dashboard with a padded upper surface.
Porsche continued to offer several body styles, including the coupé, cabriolet and Speedster. The engine range included 1300 cc and 1600 cc units, with the 1600 becoming the more widely used engine. A more powerful Super specification was also offered.
Further revisions resulted in the T2 version in 1957.
The Speedster remained part of the range during much of the 356 A period and became especially successful in the United States. Its simple construction and relatively low weight made it suitable for club racing and other motorsport activities. A small number were also equipped with Carrera engines. Total Speedster production during the 356 A period is generally estimated at 3,944 cars.
By 1959, Porsche had moved away from the deliberately basic nature of the Speedster. Its replacement was the Convertible D, built by Drauz. Although still an open and relatively sporting 356, it was more practical. It had wind-up windows, a better folding roof and a taller windscreen. A total of 1,330 were produced before it was replaced by the 356 B Roadster.
The 356 B and the T5/T6 Change
The next stage of the car's development began in late 1959 with the introduction of the 356 B.
Early B models are identified by their T5 body. During this period Porsche also produced an unusual Karmann-built hardtop version. Because of its roof and rear body shape, this model became commonly known as the “notchback.” It was produced in 1961 and 1962.
One of the largest visual revisions in the entire life of the 356 came during the B generation rather than with the introduction of a completely new model. During 1962, Porsche changed from the T5 to the T6 body.
The T6 can be distinguished by several details. The engine cover received two ventilation grilles, the fuel filler was moved so that it could be reached externally through the right-hand front wing, and coupés received a larger rear window.
Despite these fairly obvious differences, the revised car remained a 356 B. The T6 body would later continue into the 356 C.
The Final Version: 356 C
The 356 C arrived in late 1963 and became the final major version of the model.
Visually, it remained closely related to the T6 version of the 356 B. The important difference was underneath the car. Porsche fitted disc brakes to all four wheels, replacing the earlier braking arrangement and giving the C one of the most significant mechanical upgrades introduced during the life of the 356.
Customers could also choose the 356 SC, which offered a more powerful version of Porsche's conventional pushrod engine. At the more specialised end of the range was the Carrera 2 and its 2.0-litre four-cam engine.
By this stage, the 356 had developed considerably from the relatively simple cars built in Austria in the late 1940s. Engine capacity, performance, braking and general refinement had all progressed, while the fundamental layout and recognisable shape had been retained.
The End of 356 Production
The 356 did not disappear because buyers had lost interest in it. Production actually reached 14,151 cars in 1964, the highest annual figure for the model.
Porsche's plans, however, had already moved towards a new generation of sports car. The model originally developed under the designation 901 became the 911 and was intended to take over the role occupied by the 356.
Series production therefore shifted towards the new car during the latter part of 1964. The changeover was gradual rather than immediate, particularly in North America, where demand for the 356 remained strong enough for the 356 C to continue being sold into 1965.
From the aluminium-bodied cars made in Gmünd to the disc-braked 356 C, the 356 had remained in development for well over a decade. What began as Porsche's first production sports car ultimately developed through the Pre-A, A, B and C periods before making way for the 911.
Les Leston Steering Wheels
Period accessories and optional equipment also formed part of the 356 story. Les Leston steering wheels were available for Porsche 356 models and became a recognised period feature on these cars. Their wood-rimmed construction gave the interior a more sporting appearance and they are now particularly associated with the type of competition-influenced accessories fitted to sports cars of the period.
For owners restoring or maintaining a 356 today, an original or period-correct Les Leston steering wheel can therefore be an appropriate addition to the car, particularly where maintaining a period appearance is important.
