PORSCHE 356 parts catalogue

PORSCHE 356 parts: find out more! Which ones to choose, when to change them, and how much they cost

Porsche 356

The sports car Porsche 356 became the first model of the brand and was produced during the period from 1948 to 1965 at the plant in Gmund, Austria, and also in Stuttgart, Germany. In total more than 76 000 cars of this model were released.

Porsche 356 Urmodell

The son of the founder of the company — Ferdinand Porsche Jr (Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche) - was engaged in the development of the car. The car was created for his own needs, but the well-executed design of the car became the reason of considerable interest from motorists. Erwin Komenda,  designer of legendary Volkswagen Käfer, participated in creation of the body.

Porsche 356 cars inherited considerable part of details from Volkswagen Käfer which were renewed by designers of the company for improvement of dynamic characteristics of the model. Tests of Porsche 356 prototype took place in June, 1948.

The first 50 of Porsche 356 cars were produced at the plant in Gmund, Austria. The car body was made manually of aluminium. Speed of assembling did not allow for stock release of the model and to meet the considerable demand in the automobile market of Germany and Austria. In 1950 mass production of Porsche 356 with a steel body was arranged at the plant in Stuttgart, Germany.

The engine was located at the rear part of the car, and the car had rear-wheel drive. The car differed from the majority of other models of that time in high dynamic characteristics, excellent controllability, and also ideal German quality of assembling. The car was released in a coupe, a cabriolet and a roadster bodies.

The car was successfully used in professional motorsport. At the "24 Heures du Mans” competition Porsche 356 showed fine results. Also the car had good results on the races Targa Florio, Mille Miglia and Carrera Panamericana. Today the model is highly valued by collectors as less than a half from total quantity of the cars exist now.

Porsche 356 restyling

In 1951 the producer equipped the car with more powerful engines. Next year the car got an integral windshield without B-pillar, adjustable seats, and also a better inner trimming. Body style of Porsche 356 underwent minor changes.

Porsche 356A

In 1955 the company made changes to the design of front suspension of the car. After the triumph at the Mexican competitions Carrera Panamericana, the company started release of Porsche 356 Carrera modification with an aluminum body with maximum speed of 200 km/h.

Porsche 356B

In 1959 the design of front optics of the car was improved. Porsche 356B got new engines once again.  

Porsche 356C

In 1963 the car got disk brakes of the improved design, and also new front and rear bumpers. Designers arranged headlights of Porsche 356C at a higher level relative to the road surface.