Porsche 356

The Porsche 356 marks the true beginning of the Porsche sports car lineage.
Lightweight, mechanically simple and rear-engined, it established the layout and philosophy that would define the 911 decades later.

Derived from early post-war engineering concepts, the 356 combined compact dimensions with a low centre of gravity and a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine.

Without the 356, there would be no 911.
Its rear-engine configuration and lightweight construction laid the foundation for Porsche’s enduring engineering philosophy.

The car shown here is a 356 B T5 (1962), powered by a 1.6-litre flat-four producing 90 hp.

Technical specification

  • Engine: 1.6-litre air-cooled flat-four
  • Power: 90 hp
  • Layout: Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive
  • Year: 1962 (B T5)