Specs

By Andrew Nabors –  July 22, 2020

Porsche 356 Price, Specs, Photos & Review

The Porsche 356 is one of the first production cars built by Porsche between 1948 and 1965. The original Porsche 356 price in 1948 for the coupe was about $3,750, and the cabriolet cost just $500 more. These days, a Porsche 356 coupe in good condition can fetch over US $75,000-100,000, with a convertible in collectible condition selling for half a million dollars or more. The Porsche 356 was for sale as a 2-door coupe, as the 356 convertible, and a 2-door roadster. Well-loved in the coupe and open-top variations, the Porsche 356 has consistently garnered praise as a lightweight and agile, rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle. During the first two years of production, starting in 1948, 60 Porsche 356s were built by hand in Austria. The production plant then relocated to Stuttgart, Germany, where the rest of the Porsche 356s were manufactured. Of the 76,000 Porsche 356S produced, some estimates say that approximately half of these sturdy cars survive. Almost half of those vehicles made it to America, and 40% of those wound up in California. The Porsche 356 remains a highly collectible specimen. Many earlier models may lack air conditioning and modern safety equipment. Still, they are excellent vintage race cars that are reliable and quite fast compared to other vehicles of that class. Most working Porsche 356 vehicles will get good gas mileage and manage to keep up with freeway traffic fairly easily. These bathtub Porsches—as they are called since they resemble upside-down bathtubs—have quite a storied history as the beginning of the Porsche production legacy. Perhaps that's why they have managed to retain their value so well over the past 60-70 years. After all, they'll cost at least as much as a new Porsche 911 in today's market. Porsche 356 Review The Porsche 356 reviews are highly favorable. Throughout production, the Porsche 356 was available as the first-generation 356, then the A (1955-1959), B (1959-1963), and C (1963-1965/66) types until they were phased out in favor of the Porsche 901 (later 911) line. Porsche designed the 356 with performance in mind. By refining the engine from mid-rear to its eventual rear placement, and tweaking design elements, the 356 was lighter and faster than many of its contemporaries. As the 356 was further refined for performance, it shared fewer parts with its sister car, the Volkswagen Beetle. 1958 Porsche 356A Review by Jay Leno & Jerry Seinfeld Ferdinand Porsche, the son of the founder of the German Porsche company, believed that it would be more fun to drive a small car with more power than a big one with more power, which is the premise of the 356. The vehicle quickly became well known for its aerodynamics, handling, and excellent build quality. It rapidly gained popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. Open-top 356s are the most fun. The 356 cabriolets are undoubtedly the most luxurious, while the Porsche 356 Speedster for sale has a reputation for being faster and lighter. The main critique is that the 356 is quite prone to rust, especially along the undercarriage in wet or regularly salted locales. Porsche 356 Specs Porsche 356 specs are pretty impressive, especially for its time. Thanks to a powerful engine located at the rear of the vehicle, Porsche 356 horsepower on the early 1948 variations starts at 40 hp. The final 356 coupe version in 1965 is rated for up to 130 bhp at 5000rpm with 86 lb-ft of torque. The thin, lightweight aluminum, later steel body and chassis, and eye-catching aerodynamics made the 356 a winning formula with a curb weight of 2059 lbs for the 1963 coupe. A 1951 Le Mans win helped to cement the 356’s legacy as its popularity continued to spread. Porsche 356 top speed is capped at around 107 mph, and the Porsche 356 0-60 is just 13.5 seconds, at least on the 1963 coupe. This means that it can achieve an estimated quarter-mile drag time of just over 19.2 seconds with a trap speed of 71.2 mph, thanks to a four-speed manual gearbox that delivers power through a relatively stable and sophisticated RWD system. The 356 spans significant growth and progress of the Porsche evolution. Consequently, the power and performance steadily improve throughout production, with several engines and carburetors continuing to dramatically enhance performance over time. Porsche 356 Specs: Price: $ 3,750 Engine: 1.6-liter Flat Four Transmission: 4-speed Manual Horsepower: 130 hp Torque: 86 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 13.5 seconds 1/4-Mile: 19.2 Seconds @ 71.2 mph Top Speed: 107 mph Weight: 1,351 lbs Porsche 356 Engine The original Porsche 356 engine on the Gmund variation built in Austria when these first hit the production line came with a single engine option rated for 40 bhp and displaced 1100cc. The Pre-A version of the 356 used an engine that required a VW-sourced two-piece crankcase while in production until November 1954 when it started using a Porsche-designed three-piece crankcase. Those engines displaced 1.1L, 1.3L, and 1.5L, putting out anywhere from 40-70 bhp. The first America roadster (built in 1952) had a 1300cc motor and the other 16 sported powerful 70-hp 1.5L Super flat-four engines. In 1955, a 100-hp four-cam Carrera motor was introduced. By 1958, all pushrod motors in the 356 were 1.6L, including the most powerful Carrera that created 115hp. The last of the 356s, called the C and SC models, made the transition from the 356B Super 90 engine (introduced in 1960). Thanks to new twin-throat carburetors, the Carrera 2 engines on the SC models made 95-130 hp. Porsche 356 Transmission These engines powered a durable Porsche 356 4-speed manual transmission that was simply designed from sturdy components and built to withstand the tests of time. Designed as a transaxle, the output shafts are ahead of the gearbox, making the case a load-bearing member of the rear suspension. An integrated bell housing contained the clutch kit and supported the starter. Popular upgrades include a newer 5-speed gearbox along with more aggressive differential ratios. Perhaps the best feature of the Porsche 356 transmission is its reliability. Able to easily handle twice the engine's output, it was a popular upgrade for other rear-engine cars. Porsche 356 "No. 1" Roadster Tours The World Porsche 356 Interior Driving a Porsche 356 is relaxing thanks to a symmetrical cockpit. The Porsche 356 interior has gauges that are logically located in the driver's line of sight, properly spaced pedals, and even an AM radio on well-equipped models. The windows are manual, as are the locks, ignition, wipers, and every other feature. This is how the Porsche 356 interior doesn't weigh the car down. This is clearly evident when driving a Speedster or Cabriolet, as they have a perfect power-to-weight ratio. Porsche 356 Models Porsche 356s built between 1948–1955 are called the “pre-A” type. The earliest 50 manufactured in Austria are referred to as Gmünd models. These 1.1L sports cars quickly evolved into 1.3L and 1.5L-engined cars. This generation of 356 was typified by the split windscreen replaced by a single windshield with a V-shape in 1952. The rare, coveted Porsche Continental was designed towards the end of the pre-A days. The sole American importer convinced Porsche to develop a stripped-down roadster with basic equipment and a cut-down windscreen for the American market. Ford quickly sued for rights to the Continental name, which was quickly changed to the "European" 356 for the following model year. Porsche 356 A The Porsche 356 A was in production from 1955–1959. These are further divided into Type 1, and Type 2 (1957-1959) stages amongst enthusiasts. The 356 A was available with 1.3, 1.5, and later 1.6 Carrera engines. The most common option was the 4-cylinder boxer air-cooled engine coupled with dual downdraft Zenith carburetors. The powerful 1.6L four-cam Carrera engine capable of 115 hp was first offered in the iconic Speedster, a spyder race car. From that point, the 356 was only offered with a 1.6L engine. The 356A also marked significant handling improvements thanks to improvements in the suspension. Porsche 356 B From 1959–1963, the Porsche 356 B got a significant facelift. Models produced in the Porsche 356 B-era are the T5 and T6 body styles, featuring raised headlights, and re-contoured and raised bumpers on the front and back of the car. The T6, introduced at the end of 1961, had a newly squared-off hood, a larger windshield, and the rear lid now sported twin grilles. Porsche continued to improve handling and offered new, annular disc brakes. The 1960 356 Carrera 1600GT coupe produced a whopping 134 hp, and in 1962, a 2.0L four-cam flat-four Carrera 2 made 130hp. The notchback style—a cabriolet with a welded hardtop) was only offered during this period of the 356. Porsche 356 C July 1963–1966 was the end of the 356 production run, culminating in the Porsche 356 C and SC models. The Porsche 356 C was only offered as coupes and cabriolets. More powerful Carrera 2.0L and SC engines relied on twin-throat Solex carburetors to put out up to 130 hp. The plain C used reliable Zenith carburetors to achieve the same 75 hp as the Super engine in the B-era. Disc brakes marked the only significant visible change to the 356, distinguishing the C. The last 10 356 cabriolets were built for the Dutch police in March of 1966. Porsche 356 Standout Features Ferdinand Porsche was arrested in 1945. France charged him with war crimes in an effort to extort money from German companies. In order to pay his father's ransom, Ferry Porsche and a small team built the first Porsche 356 examples from aluminum in a small Austrian sawmill. The "Pre-A" cars were used to sell dealers on the idea of a Porsche production car, with the franchise fees and deposits going to free the old man. Once he was free, Ferdinand watched over his family as they moved to Stuttgart, and their name become recognized as Germany's premier sports car manufacturer. Sell My Porsche: Get a cash Offer Browse Porsche 356 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors –  June 05, 2020

Porsche 993 Price, Specs, Photos, & Review

Porsche 993 Price Evolution is supposed to be a gradual process, but Porsche packed 50 years of innovation into their 993 series  911 models. The limited-run lasted only 1995 to 1998, and it brought the 911 into the modern age. That is why many Porsche purists run the 993 series as the basis for their collection. If you are considering  Porsche 993 for sale, follow along with us for a synopsis of these four model years in order to make an informed decision. Allow us to take you on a quick tour of what the Porsche 993 911 has to offer. As their last air-cooled model, the Porsche 993 MSRP to be a fraction of the car's modern value. Adjusted for inflation it would have been one of the best investments of the decade. Porsche 911 Carrera Carrera S: the wide rear quarter panels are easy to see As their entry-level offering, the Carrera appealed to the naturally aspirated masses. If you are considering a Porsche 993 911 for sale.  It was offered in coupe, convertible, and Targa bodies, in narrow or widebodies. The latter was only offered on the Turbo and S versions. A widebody Porsche 911 Carrera S makes an impression from a mile away, and the traction offered by the wider rubber is fun in any situation. Porsche Carrera 993 Specs: Horsepower: 268 (1995) 286(96-97)Torque (lb-ft): 2430-60 mph (seconds): 4.70-100 mph (seconds): 12.11/4 Mile: 13.4 @ 104 mphWeight (lbs): 3,080Production: 22,271 Porsche 993 Carrera Buyers Guide Porshce 993 Review The Porsche 993 911 Cabriolet offers a powered hand-stitched soft top along with an automatic wind deflector. Be sure to check the seams and operation of the top if you are considering a Porsche 993 Carrera for sale. The Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models were the first to offer torque vectoring. Both the front and rear differentials would cut power to the inboard wheels while cornering. The center differential was a viscous coupling. It didn't need complex electronics because the torque bias was fixed. Although never legally imported, the Porsche 993 Carrera RS was a stripped out model aimed at racing, and the 993 RS Clubsport lacked heat, A/C, radio, and upholstery. Porsche didn't see a profit model in importing them, but they offer every part of the Carrera RS package so you can build one yourself. Driving a 993 is light-years of any predecessor. It was a clean-sheet design that allowed the ancient torsion bars to be replaced by a 5-link rear suspension. No matter how hard you push into a corner, the camber and toe remain constant. The days of the widowmaker were finally over thanks to incredible chassis strength along with swaybar matched to the first-order harmonics of the body. Porsche 993 Specs Building on the reinforced chassis of the 993 convertible, the 993 Targa arrived in 1996. It shocked the world with a glass roof that could retract under the rear glass. Targas offer the open-air feeling of a convertible with the closed cockpit of the coupe. Like many other motorized hardtops, they will require more maintenance than a coupe. This includes special weatherstrips and inspection of the top mechanism on a periodic basis. For non-turbo cars, the Porsche 993 Carrera Porsche 993 Specs: Price: $63,750 Horsepower: 282 Torque (lb-ft): 250 0-60 mph (seconds): 5.9 1/4 Mile: 14.3 @ 101 mph Weight (lbs): 3,249 Porsche 993 Targa Buyers Guide Because weight was increased while using the base model engine, the Targa is not optimal for motorsports. They make great cruisers and their limited production has allowed them to become sought after. If you like the best of both convertibles and coupes, the Porsche 993 Targa for sale should be considered. Porsche 993 Engine By far, the most well-known 911 of this era is the Porsche 993 Turbo. Every example arrived with All Wheel Drive and a wide body. An evolution of Mezger's 964 engine, the 3.6 liter sported twin turbos, intercoolers, and catalytic converters. This allowed it to be one of the cleanest burning sports cars of the 90s. As the final air-cooled Porsche 911 Engine, it is a magnesium masterpiece cooled by oil and a massive fan pulling air up past the horizontal cylinders. Issues that plagued its predecessors like leaky pushrod tubes and solid tappets. Knowing full well that upcoming emissions standards would require water cooling, the cams and valves were optimized for a grand finale. In ideal form, a Porsche 993 GT2 engine offers 465 horsepower and 494 lb-ft of torque. Porsche Turbo 993 Specs: Price: $105,500 Horsepower: 402 Torque (lb-ft): 398 0-60 mph (seconds): 3.6 1/4 Mile: 12.1 @ 113 mph Weight (lbs): 3,307 Porsche 993 Turbo Buyers Guide Porsche 993 Transmission For 1997-98, the transmission's input shaft was revised to handle AWD launches, and the engine computer was able to be reprogrammed for the first time. If you are looking for  Porsche 993 Turbo for sale, you should know they are the last air-cooled turbo models. They represent an end of an era in terms of interior and exterior design. The ever-complex entertainment and safety systems of the newer generations have added weight and complexity, so it makes the Porsche 993 transmission a time capsule back to a simpler time. It was the first Porsche to offer a six-speed manual. Sending power to rear or all wheels, it is a bulletproof box with a clutch that is easy and predictable. Although Porsche had considered an automatic, the Tiptronic 4-speed was the first 4-speed slushbox worthy of handling AWD. A conventional torque converter offered lock up on the highway and a sequential shifter. It made the cars 55 lbs heavier while appealing to a broader audience. Should you buy a Porsche 993 for sale, several aftermarket shops offer conversion kits to retrofit a manual gearbox. If you are looking for a Porsche 911 for sale, the Porsche 993 Turbo Cabriolet is among the most sought-after cars on the market, and that's why you deserve one. Porsche 993 Turbo Brakes Innovation never sleeps, so engineers while the Porsche 993 Turbo was arriving at dealers, a new engine upgrade package was being developed. The X50 power pack has larger turbos, intake and exhaust upgrades, and a new computer. This transformed the Porsche 993 Turbo into the Porsche 993 Turbo S. Because of the increased power, the Porsche 993 Turbo brakes are 12.6" at all corners. Using the latest in lighting technology, the fog lamps were reduced to projector lenses to integrate brake cooling ducts. Aimed at the front rotors, it prevented fade after many hot laps. To differentiate the cars from all lesser models, the interior was accented by carbon fiber, and the exterior had air intakes behind the doors. All Porsche 993 Turbo S examples have yellow brake calipers and quad-tip exhaust to further set them apart. If you can find, a Porsche 993 Turbo S for sale, it is a great investment. Porsche 993 GT2 Track days can be expensive if your car is not built for racing, so that is why the Porsche 993 GT2 makes a great platform for competition. In order to dominate the GT2 series, the AWD system was dropped, as it was banned in most racing classes. Only a handful of cars were built to homologate the racing versions, and they were rated at 465 horsepower and 494 lb-ft of torque. If you find a Porsche 993 GT2 for sale, dust off your helmet and dig out your fire suit. The ultimate version was the 1996 GT2 Evo. They are rated above 600 horsepower, but you might get lucky and find one that has been federalized. They are the ultimate Porsche for sale. Porsche 993 Interior While remaining spartan by modern standards, the Porsche 993 interior does offer all you need. Rear seats are perfect for small children, and the leather patterns evoke an evolution in comfort. Map pockets in the doors and a healthy glove box made for nice storage. The low center console makes the shifter the center of attention, but it lacks support for your right arm on long trips. Like all steering wheels of the 90's, it is big and almost comical. Climate controls are perfectly located at your right hand, while the Blankpunt tape deck is a throwback to an earlier time. Recaro seats hold you firmly in place, with the perfect blend of comfort and style. Without modern distractions it is easy to relax in any Porsche 993 interior. Porsche 993 Speedster Unlike the previous 964 series, Porsche only built two examples of the 993 Speedster. The first was a dark green 1995 Tiptronic model with 17" wheels, built for Dr. Porsche's 60th birthday. The 2nd example was a silver 1998 six-speed ordered by Jerry Seinfeld. Porsche 993 Standout Features Given the limited run between 1995 to 1998, the Porsche 993 for sale encompassed the most diverse lineup to-date. The model range consisted of Carrera Coupe & Cabriolet. Carrera 4 Coupe & Cabriolet, Carrera 4S, Targa, Turbo, Turbo S, and GT2. This diversity sparked an ever-wider range of models than has continued into modern times. Many driver safety features like ABS and airbags were years ahead of competitors, another reason why these cars are so highly valued. Sell My Porsche 911: Get a Cash Offer Browse Porsche 993 For Sale " width="680">