Porsche 356 Pre-A
The first generation of the Porsche 356 is referred to as the Porsche 356 Pre-A and runs from 1948 through 1955. Starting life with a batch of aluminum bodied cars that were hand produced in Gmund, Austria, by 1950 the company had moved production of the bodies to coachbuilder Reutter and was in full production. Available as both Coupe and a Cabriolet, the 356 started out with an 1100 cc flat-4 that was an evolution of the VW engine. Over the next few years, Porsche gave the 356 1300 cc and 1500 cc engines with more power. In 1953, the 1300 S or “Super” was introduced, and the 1100 cc engine was dropped from the lineup. In 1954, the Speedster was introduced as a stripped down roadster. In 1955, we saw the intro of the race inspired 1500 cc, 110 hp, four-cam motor for the 356 Carrera. See our Porsche 356 Research Hub
Porsche 356/2 “Gmünd” Coupe (1948 – 1951)
With lessons learned from 356 No. 1, Porsche developed the 356/2 as a production-ready version.
Porsche 356 SL Gmünd Coupe (1951)
In 1950, eleven remaining Gmund chassis were assembled after the factory returned to Germany and converted to SL racing spec
Porsche 356 1500 “Pre-A” (1952 – 1955)
The 1500 was Porsche’s newest engine which was quickly fitted with 40 PIBC Solex carburetors
Porsche 356 1300 “Pre-A” (1951 – 1955)
In 1951, a bigger 1.3-litre Type 506 engine was announced. It marked the first significant move away from the original Volkswagen unit.
1951 Porsche 356 Split-Window Coupe
An early cornerstone of the sports car industry comes to light
Porsche 356 1500 “Pre-A” Carrera (4-cam) (1955)
The 356 gets a race inspired 1500 cc four cam motor
Porsche’s 356 1500cc Super: The 1½-Liter Adventure
The quest for performance.
1952 Porsche 356 ‘America Roadster’
Max Hoffman convinced Porsche it needed a lightweight convertible to compete with Jaguar and Austin-Healey.
Porsche 356/2 “Gmünd” Cabriolet (1948 – 1951)
Of the 52 cars made in Gmünd, only eight were built up as cabriolets.
Porsche 356/1 (1948)
The first Porsche, chasssis 356-001, was produced in Gmünd as two-seat roadster using VW parts.
Porsche 356 1500 “Pre-A” Super Speedster (1955)
The ‘super’ version had more horsepower (70 vs the standard 60) and the powerful ‘type 528 engine’
Porsche’s 356 SL at Le Mans
Earning respect to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Porsche 356 1100 “Pre-A” (1950 – 1954)
The first Stuttgart-built 356 have later been called as 356 Pre-A.
Porsche 356 1500 “Pre-A” Speedster (1954 – 1955)
Max Hoffmann convinced Porsche to built the 356 Speedster. A cheaper and more sporting alternative to the Coupe and Cab.
Porsche 356 SL Roadster (1951)
Before the 1952 races at Torrey Pines, von Neumann had Emil Diedt remove the coupe's roof, creating in effect the first Carrera Speedster.
Porsche 356 1300 Super “Pre-A” (1954 – 1955)
In 1953, the 1300 S or "Super" was introduced, and the 1,100 cc engine was dropped.
Porsche 356 1500 Super “Pre-A” (1953 – 1955)
Porsche's competition department reworked the 1500 engine with hotter cams and bigger Carburetors, boosting power to 70 bhp.
Porsche-Glöckler 356 Roadster (1952)
Successful VW Dealer and sporstcar racer, Walter Glöckler built this special car for the German Car Championship
