1963 | Porsche 356 B 1600 Super

356 Reasons to Fall in Love – 1963 Porsche 356B

The Porsche 356 is based on a simple principle: take parts from mass-produced vehicles and use them to build a popular sports car. Based on the VW Beetle, the 356 is very flat at the front and doesn’t need a grille because of the rear engine. The body looks a bit chubby while the chassis looks very narrow. The design, which was unusual at the time, gave birth to the post-WW2, modern sports car. The design language of the Lower Austrian Erwin Komenda echoes that of the 1947 Cisitalia, which was designed by Pininfarina: flat, compact, efficient – and to start with – practically chrome-free.

At the same time, the first 356s, in particular, clearly correspond to the model established by Volkswagen with a resemblance to a “flat, smooth Beetle”. The aerodynamics are also good, which results from the extensive experience gained by designer Erwin Komenda in the development of the Type 64. The latter was, in fact, entered into the Berlin-Rome race, which never took place because of the war.

In return, the 356, which was unusually purist in design for its time, became a mega-seller with over 76,000 units sold. Over the years, a little more chrome decoration and comfort were added, – after all many cars were exported to the the US. The 356B, presented in 1959, has higher bumpers and headlights, which makes it look significantly friendlier. Until production ceased in 1965, the 356 was always powered by a 4-cylinder flat engine from the Beetle, from which the engineers were able to extract 95 hp in the most powerful production version.

This car was delivered to an American buyer in 1963. It returned to Europe via the Netherlands, ending up in Switzerland, and was given veteran status in 2016. The engine and transmission have been overhauled, and the vehicle is in very good condition. A real opportunity to buy a piece of Porsche history at auction.