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Porsche 356
Brand Country
Germany
Class
S
Years of production
1950 - 1955
Generations
1
Body type
Coupe
More 2 photo
In the world of classic sports cars, few models hold as significant a place as the Porsche 356. The model that started the legendary lineage of Porsche sports cars, the 356 was first produced in 1948, marking Porsche's foray into car production. It was the brainchild of Ferry Porsche, son of founder Ferdinand Porsche, who wanted to build a sports car that was light, nimble, and fun to drive.
Aesthetically, the Porsche 356 sports a distinctively sleek, rounded design, bearing a resemblance to the Volkswagen Beetle – not surprising given Ferdinand Porsche's role in the design of the Beetle. The body, however, was entirely Porsche, handcrafted in aluminum, and later, steel.
Powering the Porsche 356 is a rear-mounted, air-cooled, flat-four engine, a design that has since become synonymous with Porsche. Early models featured a 1.1-liter engine producing 40 horsepower. However, as the model evolved, the engine displacement increased, and by the time production ended, the 356 was available with up to a 2.0-liter engine producing 130 horsepower in the 356 Carrera 2 variant. Read more