The Porsche 356 was a turning point for the sports car. Impressed by the lightweight, small-displacement Volkswagens of the era, Ferry Porsche set out to improve on the concept and build what he referred to as “a modern sports car.” The result was an aerodynamic, featherweight coupe with increased power over the economical VWs. With all-aluminum bodies and spartan interiors, the cars were an instant hit with European race car drivers. As production increased, these aluminum prototype cars were redesigned for street use. Aluminum was replaced with steel bodywork, constructed by famed coachbuilder Karosseriewerk Reutter, and engine displacement further increased. Still, the fundamental concept and overall design remained identical.
Early “Pre-A” Porsche 356s are among the most desirable examples of Porsche’s debut offering. With minimalistic styling and an instantly recognizable split window design, the Pre-A coupe is a beautiful, timeless design. This early styling was quickly revisited, changing the window design so a single-piece construction and then transitioning to the 356A designation in 1955. They were offered with the choice of two engines: 1,100cc or 1,300cc. While excellent designs, these early engines were often seen as too limited in their power output. Similarly, the non-synchromesh transaxle was a significant step forward for the 356 but were considered cumbersome during everyday driving. Still, few of these early split-window coupes were ever constructed, making them a highly sought-after piece of Porsche history despite their comparatively primitive running gear.
