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 McQueen 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 who loves Porsche and sports car history.
