Porsche 356

August 28, 2007 7:16 AM | Related Categories: Automobiles

porsche 356 1600

You do see some interesting cars here, old and new, even if this one has a Liechtenstein plate. (Z has featured quite a few even from the little village of Villigen. This is the Porsche 356 which was produced from 1948-1965. Born of Volkswagen Beetle parentage, it was the forerunner of the 911, which of course is still incredibly popular and successful today. There were many variants and it's a bit confusing but I think this is a 365B or C Roadster from early 60's but I'm not sure.

James Dean owned a 356 Speedster, and later a 550 Spyder in which he died. The 550 is a different animal altogether, although with the same Porsche genes, it was really a full blown racing car - 150mph against this 356's 90-ish.

More info on the 550 spyder

More info on the 356

Trawling through the web, I found a curious bit of trivia. The Porsche 911 was originally called the Porsche 901, but Peugeot complained as I think they already had a 901, so it was renamed 911. And the rest is history. If you want to know more about Dean and his ill-fated Spyder just google "james dean porsche spyder".

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....and, just look at the way the exhaust pipe neatly tucks into the bumper vertical. And, oh, that finely understated engine hatch with the divine little grill on top. And.............ooooohh!!!
# Posted By Chuckeroon | 8/28/07 9:25 AM
I love Porsche 356!
And you can see the new Porsche 911 in Prague, which I accidentally posted today at my blog :)
http://praguedailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/08/porsc...
# Posted By honza03 (Prague DP) | 8/28/07 9:51 AM
... and you still dream about nice cars (this one certainly is)! I'm so happy now without a car, since five months (leased on a week during holidays).
# Posted By Peter | 8/28/07 6:50 PM
I like your photo and the story behind it was interesting to read. I was just in a 2007 Porsche convertible the other day.
# Posted By Abraham Lincoln | 8/29/07 12:53 PM
At first glance I thought this was a Karman Ghia, before I read the name Porsche on the back of the car:) Very interesting info on Porsches.
# Posted By Jim | 8/30/07 3:58 PM
Ah The Myth, The Goddess !!!
# Posted By Fabrizio - ikol22 | 9/6/07 12:01 PM
And I'll bet you took the photograph with a Leica M. An appropriate combination (if you did). A beautiful car; I want one.
# Posted By Nick | 4/30/08 8:05 AM
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