The 356 is the first car listed in the Porsche catalogue, in 1948. Designed by Ferry Porsche on the mechanical basis of the Beetle developed by his father Ferdinand. The latter wanted a small sports car with an advantageous weight/power ratio and at an affordable price. The first version of the Porsche 356, called pre-A, is equipped with the 4-cylinder flat engine designed by VW, slightly modified to reach 40hp and placed in the rear central position. Its body, initially entirely in aluminum, is placed on a tubular frame. Offered as a coupé and cabriolet from its launch in 1948, its power and cubic capacity increased over the years to reach 70hp in 1955 with the 356 1500 S (100hp on the 356 1500 GS Carrera model, a version derived from the competition). The same year, the 356 was available in a new body: the 356 pre-A Speedster. From 1956, the Porsche 356 evolved with a few stylistic improvements and a gain in equipment, it was the 356 A. We note the appearance, among other things, of chrome strips, a new hood handle and a new dashboard. The flat 4 engine remains in place in the 1300 and 1300 S version, on the other hand the 1500 gives way to the new 1600 and 1600 S of 60hp and 75hp. In 1958, the Speedster version disappeared, replaced by the convertible D: manufactured by Drauz. Version B of the Porsche 356 arrives in 1960 for 3 years. Ever more advanced, it offers better visibility with its larger windshield, more safety with the adoption of disc brakes and more power since the 4-cylinder 1600cc now delivers 90hp. For the first time in 1962, the 356 Carrera 2 version was assigned a 2.0l of 130hp! The fourth and final version of the 356, the C, was produced from 1964 to 1965. It was a limited evolution of all the latest versions of the B, with no major changes. The 1600 SC (Super C) replaces the 1600 S and gains 5hp, the Carrera 2.0l 130hp version remains in the catalogue. It was in 1965 that the Porsche 356 bowed out, after 77,361 units produced, of which it is estimated that barely half remain today... which is a lot and a lot at the same time.
