In a big way, the Porsche 356 helped make the brand famous around the world. This example has a lot of speed changes and still looks brand new. The 500SL represents the pinnacle of its class, and this particular example features low mileage along with well-maintained upkeep. Early Porsches built the name by doing more with less, even before 911 came out. When the 356 won its class at Le Mans in 1951, everyone took notice. Importer Max Hoffman quickly made Stuttgart a name people in this country knew for quality. The problem is that a Porsche 356 from the 1950s is still very much a car of its time, and its performance may not be good enough for current traffic. This 1956 356A for sale on Bring a Trailer is not like that. It is owned by Hearst Autos, the same company that owns invoice-pricing. To match the way it looks, the driving experience has been kept the same and slightly improved with sleek additions. Fans of the so-called “outlaw” 356s were first introduced to them by Rod Emory, a California-based customizer. They are now a big trend. But this car is all about the details, even though many of Emory’s 356s break the rules to become real Porsche hot rods. To finish, even the rich Polyantha Red paint color that was used when it was first painted is used. A handmade twin exhaust and 15-inch Boyd Coddington wheels are the only things that make you think something is wrong. With 911 parts, the brakes are even better, and those wheels hide disc brakes on all four corners. Early 356 drum brakes can be a little scary when a deer quickly appears on the road. The carpeting, dashboard, bucket seats in the style of a GT, and Nardi steering wheel are some of the major changes that have been made to the inside. The metal is polished, the instruments are fixed, and the tachometer is changed to work with electricity. The 356A was the first road car to have the twin-cam Carrera engine, even though the biggest displacement that could be bought at the time was 1.6 liters. The 2.2-liter flat-four engine in this car makes 160 horsepower at 6000 rpm and a lot more torque, especially when the speed is low. This howler engine, which was made by FAT Performance in California, should give a car that weighs about 2,000 pounds a lot of power. Except for the fourth, which features a longer “freeway flyer” gear for cruising, all four-speed manual transmissions have been reworked with short gearing. Although this small car has a fantastic color scheme and looks fantastic, the driving experience which is enhanced by performance equipment from the best vendors available is what truly makes it desirable. The 356 is still a great car to drive, even though the 911 is probably the most famous Porsche. This is true even after more than 75 years. This one keeps the elegance of the 1950s while making the function better for the year 2025. It’s also pretty cool right now to restore 911s. Why not own a Porsche from the beginning, when it was all the rage? April 2 is the last day to bid.
