| Even though the Porsche 64 is considered by | | | | The original 356 was featured in many Hollywood |
| many to be the first car produced by the | | | | films and now brings over $100,000 at auto |
| company it was really only a test car and was | | | | specialty auctions and through private dealers, if |
| never built as a production automobile, in fact only | | | | you are lucky enough to find one. |
| three were built. The 364 was built by Ferdinand | | | | Even though minor modifications were made to it, |
| and Ferry Porsche after design by Erwin | | | | the basic shape of the Porsche 356 stayed |
| Komenda, while getting its engine modeled after | | | | unchanged and its signature look was easily |
| the VW Beetle. | | | | distinguished from others. The coupe and cabriolet |
| The 356 was offered in the beginning as a coupe, | | | | editions were made each year until 1965 but the |
| a cabriolet, and a roadster and before being taken | | | | last 356 Roadster was made two years earlier. |
| off the market in 1965 it underwent several | | | | In 1964 when Porsche introduced the popular 911, |
| modifications. The models that were the most | | | | 356 vehicle production was at 14,151 and the |
| wanted were the Super 90, the Speedster, and | | | | company offered the 356 through 1965 as a |
| the 356 Carrera which often fetches over | | | | lower cost alternative to the more pricey 911 |
| $150,000 now. The original selling price for a | | | | which was twice that of the 356. Due to the |
| Porsche in the latter 1950's was only $4,000. | | | | complaining of customers that the price of the |
| Max Hoffman was the only Porsche importer in | | | | 911 was too high the company came out with the |
| the United States back then and wanted a lower | | | | 912 which featured the cheaper engine of the 356 |
| priced, speedy version to market to Americans. | | | | and it was sold until 1969. |
| So in 1954 the company manufactured the 356 | | | | Currently the Porsche 356 is a desirable and |
| Speedster with a removable windshield, bucket | | | | respected collector classic and was named on the |
| seats, and a very basic folding top. The | | | | top 10 list of the best sports cars of the 1960's |
| Speedster production peaked at 1,171 cars in 1957 | | | | by Sports Car International. Today thousands of |
| and was replaced in 1959 by the Convertible | | | | Porsche 356 owners carry on the tradition with |
| model D which featured a taller and more practical | | | | well preserved vehicles that are driven on a |
| windshield as well as more comfortable seating. | | | | regular basis. |