Porsche 356: 75th Anniversary relates the full story of Porsche’s original sports car from the first Gmund coupe to today’s beloved collector car.
Ferdinand Porsche was a brilliant engineer who, prior to World War II, had been involved in a variety of significant automotive engineering developments including the first hybrid drive vehicles. From the early 1900s, Porsche was developing racing cars including the Mercedes SSK and the mighty Auto Union Grand Prix. During this period, Porsche also developed the groundbreaking Volkswagen, which would prove critical to his postwar, namesake automobile manufacturer.
The
Typ 356 was developed by Ferdinand’s son “Ferry” Porsche and introduced in 1948 . Though the rear-engine layout was based on the Volkswagen, most similarities ended there. The 356 had a unique chassis, higher performing engine, and a handsome wind-cheating body. Little known outside Germany initially, by the early 1950s the 356s were lauded for their
excellent handling, build quality, and growing volume of
competition successes .
Porsche’s 356 evolved over its 17-year life through
four distinct series: pre-A, A, B, and C , with coupes, cabriolets, Speedsters, Hardtops, and Roadsters among the many body variations. Equipped with the “Carrera” 4-cam engine, the 356 was a force in sports car racing. Dedicated competition models were developed beginning in 1953, and the Rennsport Spyders dominated road racing, endurance, and hill climb events for over a decade.
The 356 story includes a cast of fascinating characters , from those engineers who designed the cars, to race drivers who built the “giant-killer” mystique, to owners like James Dean and Janis Joplin who fell in love with the little bathtub-shaped sports cars. From titled European gentlemen in the 1950s to movie stars like Paul Newman and Steve Mc Queen in the 1960s, the first Porsches attracted enthusiasts and racers alike. Today, the car has an even wider following among collectors including Porsche fans like Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno. “356 Fascination” continues with ongoing restoration efforts, vintage racing, and an “Outlaw” movement, all enhanced by large-scale events that celebrate the car’s history.
Porsche 356 75th Anniversary tells the in-depth story and is a must-have book for anyone that loves Porsche and sports car history.
Over de auteur
Grant Larson was born in Billings, Montana and grew up in Wisconsin. A passion for cars led to studies at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, then at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. After three years at Audi in Munich, he joined Porsche as an exterior designer in 1989. He was lead designer for the Boxster prototype, as well as the Carrera GT show car, the Panamera, various 911s and special editions, race cars and most recently, the 935. He is currently Director of Special Projects at the Porsche Weissach studios. Grant has three daughters—and three 986 Boxsters—and lives with his wife in Illingen, Germany. With a passionate interest in Porsche history, he also owns a 1956 Speedster, a 1957 T-1 coupe (lightweight project) and a 1965 356 SC.
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