1961 Porsche 356B

The Porsche Type 356 was introduced in 1948 and would enjoy a lengthy, 15-year production run, during which it cemented its position as one of the world's greatest sports cars. It was Porsche's first venture into production. It was created by Ferdinand 'Ferry' Porsche (son of Dr. Ing. Ferdinand Porsche, founder of the company), based on an original design by Porsche employee Erwin Komenda. The attractive, elegant, and durable 356 would evolve from a streamlined little aluminum-bodied coupe powered by a Volkswagen-derived, 46 horsepower 1100cc air-cooled flat-four to a powerful autobahn burner carrying a two-liter four-cam boxer Carrera engine of 130 horsepower. Steady development brought coupes, cabriolets, and the more spartan Speedster and roadsters. By the time production ceased in 1965, over 76,000 examples had been built.

In 1951 a works car finished first in the 1,100cc class at the Le Mans 24-Hour Race, thus beginning the marque's long and illustrious association with La Sarthe.

During the first phase of 356 development, the engine grew from 1.3 to 1.5 liters, a Porsche synchromesh gearbox was adopted, and the original split windscreen was replaced by an open-piece unit. The 356A arrived in 1955, distinguished by its curved windscreen and 15-inch - down from 16-inch - wheels.

The 356B variant was produced from 1960 through 1963 and represented the mid-point in this design's progression. In what is known as 'T5' form, the B introduced new front and rear sheet-metal, while retaining the curved front trunk lid and rounded fenders of the 356A series. Additionally, the 'B' added raised front and rear bumpers with over-riders to better protect the body from parking mishaps, raised headlamps, a larger hood handle, and front vent windows in the doors. Mechanically, the gearbox and drum brakes were upgraded and the standardized engine was the 1,600cc unit available in three different stages of tune. A new steering wheel and column refreshed the interior, along with redesigned rear seats. Porsche offered the 'Super' model with raised compression and an extra 15 horsepower over the standard version for customers seeking even more performance. The four-cam Carrera configuration produced 90 horsepower.

1961 Porsche 356B photo
Coupe
Chassis #: 200701
The T6 body type arrived in mid-1962 and added an external fuel filler in the right front fender, a larger rear window in the coupe, and twin grilles on the engine compartment cover. The T6 remained part of the 356 'B' model designation until disc brakes were added, prompting the model C. With the optional, more powerful engine installed, it was called the 356SC.

A Karmann 'hardtop' or 'notchback' 356B was introduced in August of 1960 and produced through June of 1962 together with that of the roadster, though Karmann continued to build the normal coupé. The Karmann-built hardtop was essentially a cabriolet body with the optional steel hardtop welded in place. The 356B T6 version was different in that the notchback coupe body did not begin life as a cabriolet, and it had a unique hardtop, the T6 coupe windshield frame, and the cabriolet rear end design.

The final iteration of the 356 was the 356 C introduced for the 1964 model year.


by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2022

Related Reading : Porsche 356 History

During the war, Ferdinand Ferry Porsche and a handful of his proven, faithful employees had started work on development number 356 in their workshops moved to the town of Gmünd in Karnten. The first design drawings were completed on 17 July 1947, and on 8 June 1948, the Karnten state government issued a special permit homologating the car. Returning home after being held by the French as a prisoner....
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Related Reading : Porsche 356 History

The Porsche 365C has been named the number ten on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s by Sports Car International in 2004. The Porsche 356 is still widely regarded as a collector car that has capably stood the test of time. There is some debate over which vehicle was the first official Porsche, the pre-war Porsche 64 being actually a VW racing automobile. The 356 was a sports car designed....
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1961 Porsche 356B Vehicle Profiles

1961 Porsche 356B vehicle information
Roadster

Chassis #: 88579
Engine #: 801468
1961 Porsche 356B vehicle information
Cabriolet

Chassis #: 154790
Engine #: 604735
Gearbox #: 43339
1961 Porsche 356B vehicle information
Coupe

Chassis #: 112930
1961 Porsche 356B vehicle information
Cabriolet

Chassis #: 154048
Engine #: 87401
Vin #: 40024

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1961 Porsche 356B
$7,650-$22,755
1961 Porsche 356B Price Range: $3,600 - $7,650

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

356

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
1,297
82.70 in.
4 cyl., 66.27 CID., 39.00hp
4 cyl., 78.48 CID., 43.00hp
4 cyl., 90.80 CID., 54.00hp
$4,280 - $4,580
82.70 in.
4 cyl., 90.80 CID., 70.00hp
2,498
82.70 in.
4 cyl., 90.80 CID., 55.00hp
$3,455 - $4,580
1
82.70 in.
4 cyl., 104.96 CID.
82.70 in.
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 59.00hp
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 74.00hp
$3,200 - $3,910
82.70 in.
4 cyl., 97.64 CID., 50.00hp
4 cyl., 78.48 CID., 59.00hp
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 59.00hp
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 74.00hp
4 cyl., 96.85 CID., 113.00hp
$3,200 - $5,900
82.70 in.
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 75.00hp
4,528
82.70 in.
4 cyl., 97.64 CID., 75.00hp
$3,580 - $7,650
82.70 in.
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 59.00hp
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 74.00hp
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 89.00hp
4 cyl., 119.97 CID., 128.00hp
$3,600 - $7,650
82.70 in.
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 70.00hp
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 88.00hp
4 cyl., 96.54 CID., 102.00hp
$3,600 - $7,700

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Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.