Road & Track made it very clear in November 1952: “…after a turn at the wheel of the new Porsche… one is forced to admit that this is the Car of Tomorrow. That appears, on its face, to be an exaggerated statement, but experience with the car has given an entirely new driving experience to the test staff. It is safe to say that no car in the history of Road & Track has offered so many different and new driving sensations.” – Road & Track on the Porsche 356, November 1952.
Despite Ferdinand Porsche’s early involvement in the automotive industry in the 1930s, it would take until 1949 for his name to appear on a car. While many people start small, it turns out that Porsche, looking back now, put his name for the first time on a model that has gone down in history as one of the greatest sports cars of all time, the 356.
The first models were built in collaboration with the bodybuilders at Reutter, at the old location in Stuttgart. From 1955, production took place at the factory in Zuffenhausen. The Porsche 356 was built on a platform-type chassis with an air-cooled engine in the rear. Together with a torsion bar and fully independent suspension made the car feel even sportier than the chassis would suggest. That chassis was primarily sourced from Volkswagen.
Continuous development of the model meant a better car every year. Initially equipped with a 1,100 cc four-cylinder engine, later variants featured a 1,300 and 1,500 cc engine. In 1952, the two-piece windshield was replaced with a curved one, and the gearbox became synchronized. By the time we reach 1954, the first owner of this 356 1500 is in for a treat, as his unit of the 328 produced that year is ready. According to the data card, the car was delivered in February 1954 in Denmark. The document also shows that the 356 is equipped with a 55 hp 1,488 cc engine and of course the manual four-speed gearbox.
The car underwent a complete restoration a few years ago, and as expected for a car of this class, it was done to the highest standards. The body was completely stripped and expertly rebuilt, finished in beige paint. Combined with the chocolate brown leather interior, it creates an incredible combination. The bodywork is exceptionally clean, with no imperfections to be found. The wheels, hidden deep within the body, have beautiful chrome hubcaps and are in pristine condition. The rear, with its distinctive black taillights and the single grille on the hood, is extremely beautiful. The dark brown soft-top stands out when viewed from behind, accompanied by a stunning tonneau cover in the same colour.
Looking inside, the eye is drawn to a beautifully restored interior. The dark brown leather seats, the matching lacquered dashboard with the brilliant original Becker Mexico radio, and, of course, the black dials with mint green markings—all contribute to making the 356’s interior truly exceptional.
And then there’s the engine, a story of its own. The car is Matching Numbers; we can be brief about that. The original 1500 engine is still with the car. “But shouldn’t an engine be inside the car?” you might ask. That’s correct, but during the restoration, it was decided to install a more common 1600 cc engine instead, as the original 1500 was not used to prevent any potential engine damage in the future. However, the original engine is still present with the car, so those who appreciate authenticity can easily choose to restore the car to its original state.
This 356 is in excellent condition and is really perfect both optically and technically and comes with the necessary documentation about the past of the car. Finding another one like it, especially with such a tasteful finish, would be a rarity.
