1959 Porsche 356B

Ferdinand 'Ferry' Porsche's 356 sports car was inspired by the FIAT-based Cisitalias of Piero Dusio. The 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father, and similar to the Beetle utilized a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engines and all-independent torsion bar suspension. The Porsche 356 was introduced in 1948 and immediately set a new standard for small sports cars and proved adaptable to all forms of motorsports including rally and circuit racing. A works car finished first in the 1,100cc class at the 1951 Le Mans 24 Hour Race.

Porsche continued to develop and refine the 356 with a focus on performance, and by the late 1950s, fewer parts were shared with its pedestrian cousin. The 356's engine grew to 1.3 and then to 1.5 liters. The original split windscreen was later replaced by a one-piece unit, and a Porsche synchromesh gearbox was adopted. The restyled 356A made its appearance in 1955, distinguished by its curved windscreen and 15-inch (down from 16-inch) wheels.

Cabriolets had been part of the 356 production from the start, but the Speedster - introduced in 1954 - was the first open Porsche to make a significant impact. After a successful reception in the U.S. of a batch of 15 special roadsters, the Speedster entered production. The Reutter-bodied Speedster was dropped in 1958 and replaced by the Convertible D, a more civilized vehicle with additional creature comforts for everyday driving, most notably the larger windscreen and winding side windows.

The Porsche 356B
The sale of the new 356 B model was embargoed during the fall of 1959 so it could debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show held between the 17-27th of September. Porsche stated in a Special Edition of Christophorus, their factory magazine, that 'sales (of the new 356 B) are not yet allowed and the new models have to wait patiently in the yard...'

The Porsche 356B was given a one-piece rounded windscreen, 15-inch diameter wheels, and styling revisions. The engine was now standardized at 1600c and available in three different stages of tune. The most powerful variant, apart from the four-cam Carrera, was the 90 horsepower unit of the Super 90.

The Porsche 356B produced through mid-1962 had a T5 body type; examples that followed used the T6 body type with twin grilles on the engine compartment cover, a larger rear window in the coupé, and an external fuel filler in the right front wing/fender. When the T6 received disc brakes, its designation was changed to the model C, or the SC when the optional, more powerful engine was installed.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2018

Sold for $95,200 at 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia.
Donald Barron of Plainfield, Iowa, visited Stuttgart as part of PCA's fifth annual International Porsche-Treffen in September of 1959. He had pre-ordered the 356 Coupe (a very early 'T-5' coupe) before the event, specifying an Ivory exterior (paint code 6004) and a Light Brown kunstleder interior with Porsche's new 1600 Super engine, decorative aluminum side spears, an exterior mirror, and chrome steel wheels. Collecting his new Porsche, Mr. Barron headed south into the Alps. He had a service checkup performed at AMAG in Switzerland on the first of October.

By 1998, this Porsche 356 B Coupe was residing in the village of Goshen in upstate New York, during which time a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity was applied for. By 2008, the Ivory Coupe had headed south, the recipient of servicing at Hennessy Porsche North Atlanta. It would make several visits to Hennessey between 2008 and 2015. In the early 2010s, it was sent to Vic Skirmant's 356 Enterprises for a full transmission rebuild. It has also been serviced at the new Porsche Classic Center. Most recently in 2022 the technicians at Porsche Classic Center diagnosed a fuel leak and replaced its oil filter cartridge.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024