A superb and rare photo of the Porsche
356 automobiles and a Volkswagen Beetle.
The Porsche 356
was the company's first production automobile. It was a lightweight and nimble
handling rear-engine rear-wheel-drive 2 door sports car available in hardtop
and convertible configurations. Design innovations continued during the years
of manufacture, contributing to its motorsports success and popularity.
Production started in 1948 at Gmünd,
Austria where
approximately 50 cars were built. In 1950 the factory relocated to Zuffenhausen, Germany and general production of
the 356 continued until April 1965, well after the replacement model 911 made
its debut in autumn 1963. Before the German invasion of Poland, Porsche
designed and built three Type 64 cars for a Berlin to Rome race in 1939 that was never run, then in
1948 the mid-engine tubular chassis 356 prototype called "No. 1". This
has led to some debate as to the "first" Porsche automobile, but the
356 is considered by Porsche to be its first production model. The 356 was
created by Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche (son of Dr. Ing. Ferdinand
Porsche, founder of the company). Like its ancestor, the Volkswagen Beetle
(which Ferdinand Porsche senior had designed), the 356 was a four-cylinder,
air-cooled, rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive car utilizing unitized pan and body
construction. While the 356's body was an original design by Porsche employee
Erwin Komenda, its mechanicals (including engine, suspension and chassis) were
derived from the Volkswagen. The first 356, was roadcertified in Austria on June 8, 1948, and used many
Volkswagen parts for manufacturing economy. Porsche quickly re-engineered and
refined the car with a focus on performance. By the late 50's many fewer parts
were shared in common between Volkswagen and Porsche. The early 356 automobile
bodies produced at Gmünd, Austria were handcrafted in
aluminum, but when production moved to Zuffenhausen,
Germany in
1950, models produced there were steel-bodied. Little noticed at its inception,
the first 356s sold primarily in Austria and Germany. From
the first prototype in 1948, it took Porsche about two years to manufacture the
first 50 automobiles. By the early 1950s the 356 had gained some renown among
enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic for
its aerodynamics, handling, and excellent build quality. It was common for
owners to race the car as well as drive it on the street. Increasing success
with its racing and road cars brought Porsche orders for over 10,000 units in
1964, and when 356 production ended in 1965 approximately 76,000 had been
produced. The basic design of the 356
remained the same throughout its lifespan, with evolutionary, functional
improvements rather than yearly superficial styling changes. Nevertheless a
variety of models in both coupe and convertible forms were produced from 1948
through 1965. Speedster cabriolets (convertibles) were offered from the start, and
in the early 1950's sometimes comprised over 50% of total production. One of
the most desirable collector models is the 356 Speedster , introduced in late
1954 after Max Hoffman, the sole US importer of Porsches, advised
the company that a lower-cost, open-top version could sell well in the American
market. With its low, raked windshield (which could be removed for weekend
racing), bucket seats and minimal folding top, the Speedster was an instant
hit, especially in Southern California.
Production of the Speedster peaked at 1,171 cars in 1957 and then started to
decline. It was replaced in late 1958 by the "Convertible D" model.
It featured a taller, more practical windshield, glass side windows and more
comfortable seats. The following year the 356B "Roadster" convertible
replaced the D model but the sports car market's love affair with top-down
motoring was fading; soft-top 356 model sales declined significantly in the
early 60s. To distinguish among the major revisions of the model, 356's are generally
classified into a few major groups. 356 coupes and "cabriolets"
(soft-top) built through 1954 are readily identifiable by their split (1948 to
1952) or bent (center-creased, 1953 to 1954) windshields. In 1955, with
numerous small but significant changes, the 356A was introduced. Its internal
factory designation, "Type 1," gave rise to its nickname
"T1" among enthusiasts. In early 1957 a second revision of
the 356A was produced, known as Type 2 (or T2). In late 1959 more significant
styling and technical refinements gave rise to the 356B (a T5 body type). The
mid 1962 356B model was changed to the T6 body type (twin deck lid grilles, an
external fuel filler in the right front fender and larger windows). A unique
"Karmann Hardtop" or "Notchback" 356B model (1961 to 1962)
was essentially a cabriolet body with the optional steel cabriolet hardtop
welded in place. The last revision of the 356 was the 356C which was introduced for
the 1964 model year. It featured disc brakes as well as an option for the most
powerful pushrod engine Porsche had ever produced, the 95 hp (71 kW)
"SC." 356 production peaked at 14,151 cars in 1964, the year that its
successor, the new 911, was introduced to the US market (it was introduced
slightly earlier in Europe). The company
continued to sell the 356C
in North America through 1965 as demand for
the model remained quite strong in the early days of the 911. The last ten
356's (cabriolets) were assembled for the Dutch police force in March 1966 as
1965 models. The 356's four-cylinder pushrod engine was later re-introduced in
Porsche's "entry-level" 912 model, offered between 1965 and 1969 in response to
customer complaints that the new 911 (at nearly twice the price of the 356) was
too expensive. Although in some ways the 912 did reprise the 356's
specifications, it would not be accurate to say the 912 was successor to the
356; when the decision was made to replace the 356, the 911 was the only car
intended to carry the Porsche name forward. Rather the 912 was an afterthought
intended to supply the lower-priced end of the market, which the faster and
heavier 911 could not do. The Porsche 356 has enjoyed much success in rallying,
the 24 hours of Le Mans,
the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio, the Carrera Panamericana, as well as a lot
of other important car racing events. Several Porsche 356s were stripped down
in weight, and were modified in order to have better performance and handling
for these races. A few notable examples include the Porsche 356 SL, and the
Porsche 356A Carrera GT. In the 1960s Porsche collaborated with Abarth and
built the Porsche 356B Carrera GTL Abarth coupé, which enjoyed some success in
motor sports.
This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects
a wonderful era of Porsche ‘s automotive history in a wonderful way. This
is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice
large format of ca. 8" x 10" (ca. 20 x 26 cm). It makes it
perfectly suitable for framing.