1962 PORSCHE 356 B CABRIOLET

In 1900 the german Dr. Ferdinand Porsche created, aged 25, the Löhner-Porsche with four electric motors mounted on its four wheels. He established the “Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH” in Stuttgart in 1931. His first action was the project to build a prototype people’s car as requested by Hitler in 1934. This became the Porsche Typ 60 design that formed the first Volkswagen body in 1935.

The 356 model, which Ferdinand Porsche began to develop in 1947, was manufactured by his son Ferry Porsche in Austria from 1948. In 1949 the Reutter Company in Stuttgart began the manufacturing of 356 bodies. The mechanical system, brakes, rear axle, transmission and engine as well as the body engineering of this model was identical to Volkswagen. Its style resembled other sports cars and, despite its short length, the British Jaguar XK 120’s body style.

The first 356/1100 model was introduced in 1949 with a 66.2 cu.in. 40 bhp 4-cylinder boxer Volkswagen engine, an aluminum body, and was offered in cabriolet and coupe styles. Featuring fully independent suspension and a very high price, the vehicle was improved in April 1951 with a 79.2 cu.in. engine, and in October 1952 power was again raised with a 91.4 cu.in. engine offered in 55, 60 and 70 bhp versions. The first Speedster model was introduced in September 1954 with a 91.4 cu.in. engine. From 1955 to 1956, the 356 A (T1) with 79.2, 91.4 and 97.5 cu.in. engines, and the first 1500 GS Carrera, were marketed. The T5 with a 97.5 cu.in. engine and the T6 356 B sold a total of 30,963 numbers over five years of production. Selling 8,205 in 1962, the price of the T6 356 B Cabriolet in our Museum was 15,400 DM at the time.