Model 356 | Porsche Australia

Porsche 356

On 8 June 1948, the first automobile bearing the Porsche name was approved for production: the Porsche 356/1 Roadster, manufactured in Gmünd in the province of Carinthia, Austria.

The "Gmünd Roadster" was powered by a 1.1-litre, air-cooled, four-cylinder boxer engine from Volkswagen. The engine's power had been increased to 35 PS for the 356, which enabled the 585-kg roadster to reach speeds of up to 135 km/h (83 mph).

The original 356 (also called the "pre-A") is easily recognisable thanks to its two-part windscreen divided by a centre bar. From the model year 1952, this was replaced by a single windscreen with a crease in the centre.

All 356s were also available in open-top versions (Cabriolet, Speedster or Roadster).

Black-and-white photo of a Porsche 356 in the countryside.

Black-and-white photo of a Porsche 356 1100

Photo of a Blue Porsche 356 1300 in a southern town, woman with sun hat, water, boats.

Black-and-white photo of a Porsche 356 1500.

Black-and-white photo of a Black Porsche 356 1500.

Photo of a White Porsche 356 1500 Super in the countryside.

Photo of a Red Porsche 356 1300 in the countryside.

Black-and-white photo of a Porsche 356 1300 Super.

Black-and-white photo of a Porsche 356 1500 Speedster.

Photo of various Porsche 356 1500 Super Speedsters in mountainous countryside.

356/2 (Gmünd) (1948-1950)

Aluminium bodyshell // Bumpers are flush with the bodyshell // Two-part windscreen divided by a bar // Porsche logo on the bonnet // Trafficators instead of indicators (on earlier models)

356 1100 (1950-54)

Bumpers are flush with the bodyshell; separated from the bodyshell and with bumper guards from September 1952 // Two-part windscreen divided by a bar; single-piece with crease in the centre (centre-creased windscreen) from September 1952 // Short handle on lid of luggage compartment; longer handle with Porsche Crest from September 1953 // Rectangular rear lights; round from September 1952

356 1300 (1951-53)

Bumpers are flush with the bodyshell; separated from the bodyshell and with bumper guards from September 1952 // Two-part windscreen divided by a bar; single-piece with crease in the centre (centre-creased windscreen) from September 1952 // Rectangular rear lights; round from September 1952 // Front indicators round and flat // Rear indicators round, underneath the tail lights; next to the tail lights from September 1952

356 1500 (1952)

Bumpers are flush with the bodyshell // Two-part windscreen divided by a bar // Short handle on lid of luggage compartment // Rectangular tail lights // Front indicators round and flat // Rear indicators below the tail lights // Number plate lighting and brake light in chrome housing above the number plate

356 1500 (1953-55)

Bumpers are separated from the bodyshell and have bumper guards // Single-piece windscreen with a crease in the centre (centre-creased windscreen) // Longer handle on lid of luggage compartment and with an opening; with Porsche Crest from September 1953 // Round tail lights // Front indicators round and flat; integrated into horn grilles from September 1953 // Rear indicators round, next to the tail lights

356 1500 Super (1953-55)

Bumpers are separated from the bodyshell and have bumper guards // Single-piece windscreen with a crease in the centre (centre-creased windscreen) // Short handle on lid of luggage compartment; longer handle and with Porsche Crest from September 1953 // Round tail lights // Front indicators round and flat; integrated into horn grilles from September 1953 // Rear indicators round, next to the tail lights // Brake light integrated into tail light

356 1300 (1954-55)

Bumpers are separated from the bodyshell and have bumper guards // Single-piece windscreen with a crease in the centre (centre-creased windscreen) // Handle on lid of luggage compartment long and with Porsche Crest // Round tail lights // Front indicators round and flat; integrated into horn grilles // Rear indicators round, next to the tail lights // Brake light integrated into tail light

356 1300 Super (1954-55)

356 1500 Speedster (1955)

Bumpers are separated from the bodyshell and have bumper guards // Single-piece windscreen, curved with rounded top corners // Slot-in windows in the doors // Handle on lid of luggage compartment long and with Porsche Crest // Round tail lights // Front indicators round and flat; integrated into horn grilles // Rear indicators round, next to the tail lights // Brake light integrated into tail light

356 1500 Super Speedster (1955)

Spare parts & Co.

A person is leaning over the open engine compartment of a white Porsche 911 G model; an open tool bag is lying on the ground next to it.

Porsche Classic Partner

Porsche is constantly expanding its skill-set for working with classic Porsche cars. Selected Porsche Centres are (or will be) Porsche Classic Partners, and your classic car is in good hands here: Certified experts are on hand to answer any questions you may have, whether about a repair, a parts replacement, or simply your shared interest in classic Porsches.

Factory restoration

The primary goal of the Porsche Classic Factory Restoration team is to maintain and care for historic Porsche vehicles. We have decades of experience in servicing, repairing and restoring classic and vintage Porsche series production vehicles, so you can trust us as a specialist contact for your car. We use original special tools and have access to all technical documentation and the Porsche archive. So you can be sure that your classic car is in the best hands.

Scroll to the page top.