1956 Porsche 356 Speedster
Discussion
1956 Porsche 356 Speedster
Owner Michael trusted me his precious 356 and it did not dissapoint.
This updated gem boasts a more powerful 1800 engine, but the brakes are scary 50s items.
His garage is based near the Rotterdam harbour facilities. We took the Speedster for a little warming up lap and quickly found an ace spot for a sunny photo shoot.
Rusty bald iron items in contrast with a clean cut early Porsche: wow.
OK, how does it drive? Well, the 50s car is surprisingly ergonomic and comfortable. Light as it is, the air-cooled flat four is enough to propel this nicely shaped bath tub to anywhere. Steering is light, 3rd gear is a bit far away, brakes are a bit scary because there is not much stopping power and presence is sub-zero cool. I was happy.
Owner Michael trusted me his precious 356 and it did not dissapoint.
This updated gem boasts a more powerful 1800 engine, but the brakes are scary 50s items.
His garage is based near the Rotterdam harbour facilities. We took the Speedster for a little warming up lap and quickly found an ace spot for a sunny photo shoot.
Rusty bald iron items in contrast with a clean cut early Porsche: wow.
OK, how does it drive? Well, the 50s car is surprisingly ergonomic and comfortable. Light as it is, the air-cooled flat four is enough to propel this nicely shaped bath tub to anywhere. Steering is light, 3rd gear is a bit far away, brakes are a bit scary because there is not much stopping power and presence is sub-zero cool. I was happy.
That’s a particularly nice looking example, especially the colour.
Your driving description is spot on. Most are rebored to 1720cc and fitted with the Mahle piston upgrade to give more respectable ‘poke’ - and sound less like a motorboat.
And, yes, the brakes do encourage plenty of anticipation
Are those aftermarket wheels? Look quite tight at the rear?
Your driving description is spot on. Most are rebored to 1720cc and fitted with the Mahle piston upgrade to give more respectable ‘poke’ - and sound less like a motorboat.
And, yes, the brakes do encourage plenty of anticipation
Are those aftermarket wheels? Look quite tight at the rear?
I was once lucky enough to drive an A, B and SC all in the same day as well as have a passenger ride in a Speedster. The difference in how an A and an SC drives is absolutely night and day. Might only be six or seven years between them but the SC feels a lot more “grown up”…doesn’t have the charm of the A though. I’d probably go for an A if I ever bought one as I think if you’re buying a 356 outright pace and performance are not your biggest considerations.
Geneve said:
That’s a particularly nice looking example, especially the colour.
Your driving description is spot on. Most are rebored to 1720cc and fitted with the Mahle piston upgrade to give more respectable ‘poke’ - and sound less like a motorboat.
And, yes, the brakes do encourage plenty of anticipation
Are those aftermarket wheels? Look quite tight at the rear?
Looks like 5 1/5 instead of 4 1/2 wheel’s, looks like aftermarket wheels ,but look great with the moons set in the wheels.Your driving description is spot on. Most are rebored to 1720cc and fitted with the Mahle piston upgrade to give more respectable ‘poke’ - and sound less like a motorboat.
And, yes, the brakes do encourage plenty of anticipation
Are those aftermarket wheels? Look quite tight at the rear?
Colour is interesting,brakes can be sorted or fit sc discs etc
Lovely bar the signature on the dash
SRT Hellcat said:
they are wonderfully engaging cars. A properly adjusted drum brake setup works absolutely fine as they are not heavy cars. The limiting factor you will find is tyre grip. Amusingly in a right hand drive A, first is the stretch rather than third. But no big deal as I have long arms
Very engaging and nimble,skinny tyres part of the fun.But saying that i raced M Burts 1954 356 with a prill special 150 bhp for a season including 135 mph down the mulsane in a le mans supprt race,it was the very first porsche to race in the uk in 1954,what a great car,although wanders at 135,biggest problem we found was the oil seal on the rear driveshaft kept failing giving us a 3 corner braking system!Maybe we should organise a classic trip to see Dinkel and porsche centre Gelderland in some of our classic 356 and 911 etc some time.
Mark is happy to offer the guided tour: Classic Center https://voorraad.porschecentrumgelderland.nl/class... is a vault packed with gems and the secret attic is insane. Maybe gather a pack of enthusiasts and I will make the call.
GT4P said:
The 981/718 Spyders are not particularly rare.
IMHO the 987 Spyder is more the spiritual successor if comparing old and new and built in far fewer numbers than the 981/718 Spyders.
The 356 is one of 3 UK RHD cars. IMHO the 987 Spyder is more the spiritual successor if comparing old and new and built in far fewer numbers than the 981/718 Spyders.
I am not saying a RHD 718 Spyder is rare lol.
but if you like the 987 here we both are again.
Cheib said:
Yellow491 said:
Maybe we should organise a classic trip to see Dinkel and porsche centre Gelderland in some of our classic 356 and 911 etc some time.
I’d absolutely love to do that ! Maybe check #DauwtrappeRS on Insta and hook up
The 987 Spyder numbers look about right from memory, big jump in number of 718. Also the 981 numbers look a bit low.
Back to 356 I have a lovely picture somewhere from over 10 years ago at classics at the castle of an Austrian police 356 and the owners even dressed up in uniforms.
Beautiful cars the 356, also a fan of the outlaws
Back to 356 I have a lovely picture somewhere from over 10 years ago at classics at the castle of an Austrian police 356 and the owners even dressed up in uniforms.
Beautiful cars the 356, also a fan of the outlaws
GT4P said:
The 987 Spyder numbers look about right from memory, big jump in number of 718. Also the 981 numbers look a bit low.
Back to 356 I have a lovely picture somewhere from over 10 years ago at classics at the castle of an Austrian police 356 and the owners even dressed up in uniforms.
Beautiful cars the 356, also a fan of the outlaws
Yes great cars 356 when set correctly and restored correctly.Them fat heavy spyders cant hold a light to a 356 in design and aesthetics.Back to 356 I have a lovely picture somewhere from over 10 years ago at classics at the castle of an Austrian police 356 and the owners even dressed up in uniforms.
Beautiful cars the 356, also a fan of the outlaws
GT4P said:
Back to 356 I have a lovely picture somewhere from over 10 years ago at classics at the castle of an Austrian police 356 and the owners even dressed up in uniforms.
Beautiful cars the 356, also a fan of the outlaws
That would likely be Helen Goff if I recall correctly unless they had sold it by then Beautiful cars the 356, also a fan of the outlaws
Yellow491 said:
Very engaging and nimble,skinny tyres part of the fun.But saying that i raced M Burts 1954 356 with a prill special 150 bhp for a season including 135 mph down the mulsane in a le mans supprt race,it was the very first porsche to race in the uk in 1954,what a great car,although wanders at 135,biggest problem we found was the oil seal on the rear driveshaft kept failing giving us a 3 corner braking system!
Maybe we should organise a classic trip to see Dinkel and porsche centre Gelderland in some of our classic 356 and 911 etc some time.
that sounds like a great idea. In 2022 on the 356 International we visited Holland and spent half a day at Porsche Gelderland. Mark gave us a tour of his amazing centre and car collection. Maybe we should organise a classic trip to see Dinkel and porsche centre Gelderland in some of our classic 356 and 911 etc some time.
Gassing Station | Porsche Classics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff