1950 Porsche 356 Coupe / 5358 Chassis Information

1950 Porsche 356 production chassis numbers run 5001 through 5410. This particular example is chassis number 5358.

Back in 1950 Porsche relied heavily on Volkswagen for mechanical components. The Porsche Type 369 engine was a modified Volkswagen unit (1086cc, 40 horsepower at 4200 RPM - up from Volkswagen's 25 - air-cooled, flat-four with a pair of Solex 32 PBI carburetors and 7 to 1 compression ratio). The steering, brakes and non-synchro gearbox were all directly off the Volkswagen production line. These early, post-Gmund, Porsches, body in steel by Reutter, are distinguished by the slight 'v' in the roof line and split windshield and bumpers positioned very close to the bodywork front and back. There are also Volkswagen hubcaps without the VW crest.