A superb and rare photo of the Porsche 356 Gmund
Coupe of 1949 . This
image was taken as part of the introduction campaign of the 1949 model year.
The Porsche 356 Gmund Coupe was named after the location where it was
fabricated, in the Austrian town of Gmund.
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. 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.
Professor Ferdinand
Porsche initially started the
company called "Dr. ing. h. c. F. Porsche
GmbH" in 1931, with main offices at Königstrasse in the center of Stuttgart. The company
offered motor vehicle development work and consulting, and did not initially
build any cars under its own name. One of the first assignments the new company
received was from the German government to design a car for the people, a
"Volkswagen" in German. The first Porsche, the Porsche 64, was
developed in 1939 using many components from the Volkswagen Beetle. After World
War II, Ferdinand Porsche's son, Ferry Porsche, decided to build his own car
because he could not find an existing car that he would be interested in
buying. The first models of what was to become the 356 were built in a small
sawmill in Gmünd, Austria and had
aluminum bodywork: the modern Porsche company was born. The prototype car was
shown to German auto dealers, and when pre-orders reached a set threshold,
production was begun. Many regard the 356 as the first Porsche simply because
it was the first model sold by the fledgling company. Porsche commissioned
Zuffenhausen-based company Reutter Carosseri, which had previously collaborated
with Porsche on Volkswagen Beetle prototypes, to produce the 356's steel body.
Porsche constructed an assembly plant across the street from Reutter Carosseri;
that assembly plant is now known as Porschestrasse. The 356 was road certified
in 1948. Not long afterwards, on January 30,
1951, Ferdinand Porsche died from complications following a
stroke. In post-war Germany parts were
generally in short supply, so the 356 automobile used components from the Volkswagen
Beetle including its engine, gearbox, and suspension. The 356, however, had
several evolutionary stages, A, B, and C, while in production and many VW parts
were replaced by Porsche-made parts. The last 356s were powered by entirely
Porsche-designed engines. The sleek bodywork was designed by Erwin Komenda who
also had designed the body of the Beetle. Porsche's signature designs have,
from the beginning, featured air-cooled rear-engine configurations (like the
Beetle), rare for other car manufacturers, but producing automobiles that are
very well balanced. In 1964, after some success in motor-racing, namely with
the Porsche 550 Spyder, the company launched the Porsche 911 another
air-cooled, rear-engined sports car, this time with a 6-cylinder "boxer"
engine. The team to lay out the body shell design was led by Ferry Porsche's
eldest son, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (F. A.). The design phase for the 911
caused internal problems with Erwin Komenda who led the body design department
until then. F. A. Porsche complained Komenda made changes to the design not
being approved by him. Company leader Ferry Porsche took his son's drawings to
neighbouring body shell manufacturer Reuter bringing the design to the 1963
state. Reuter's workshop was later acquired by Porsche (so-called Werk II).
Afterward Reuter became a seat manufacturer, today known as Keiper-Recaro.
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 27 cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.