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Porsche 356B (1948-1965)

Production Total= 76,000
Recorded in UK 2024
Licensed=N/A

Porsche 356B (1948-1965)

Common faults with the Porsche 356 often relate to the body of the car, with **rust** being a significant issue. Areas particularly susceptible to rust include the **floor pans, doors, and battery box**. The lips around the inside of the doors and hood can also be good indicators of the car's condition over time¹. Additionally, there are mentions of **idle problems** when starting in cold conditions below 40°. If you're considering purchasing or maintaining a Porsche 356, it's important to check these areas thoroughly.
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Generations
The Porsche 356 had **four broad generations**:
1. The original 356 (later renamed 356 Pre-A)
2. 356 A
3. 356 B
4. 356 C.

These generations represent the major revisions and developments of the model over its production period from 1948 to 1965.
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Body Style/Variants
The Porsche 356 was built from 1948 to 1965 in **six major types**:
1. 356/2 (Gmünd)
2. 356 (pre-A)
3. 356A
4. 356B (T5 and T6)
5. 356C.

Each type had its own variants and specifications, making the Porsche 356 a diverse and iconic model.
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Trim Levels
The Porsche 356 series, produced from 1948 to 1965, was offered in several trim levels across its different generations. Here are the main ones:

1. **356 "Pre-A" (1948-1955)**: The earliest models, often referred to as "Pre-A," featured split or bent windshields and were available as coupés and cabriolets.

2. **356 A (1955-1959)**: This generation introduced a curved windshield and offered the Carrera four-cam engine as an option. It was available in coupé, cabriolet, and Speedster variants.

3. **356 B (1959-1963)**: The 356 B came in two series, T5 and T6. The T5 had a more upright headlight design, while the T6 featured a larger rear window and twin grilles on the engine lid. Both series were available as coupés, cabriolets, and roadsters.

4. **356 C (1963-1965)**: The final version, the 356 C, included disc brakes and the most powerful pushrod engine Porsche produced at the time, the 95HP "SC." It was available in coupé and cabriolet forms.

Each generation brought improvements in performance, design, and comfort, making the 356 a beloved classic among car enthusiasts.
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Engines
The Porsche 356 had several engine variants over its production period:
- **1100cc**, **1300cc**, and **1500cc** engines with power ranging from **40 to 70 horsepower**.
- The **1600 S** and **1600 SC** engines for the 356 C model, with **75bhp** and **95bhp** respectively.
- A higher-revving **616/36 version** for the new 912 model that commenced production in April 1965.
- The special four-cam racing engine for the **Porsche 356 Carrera**.

These engines contributed to the diverse performance options available to customers of the Porsche 356.
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Performance
The Porsche 356B, produced between 1948 and 1965, is a classic sports car known for its nimble handling and lightweight design. Here are some key performance details:

- **Engine**: The 356B typically came with a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder, air-cooled engine. The 1600S Super variant, for example, produced around 74 HP (75 PS) and 87 lb-ft of torque.
- **Top Speed**: The top speed varied depending on the specific model and engine configuration, but it could reach up to approximately 110 mph (177 km/h) in the Super 90 variant.
- **Acceleration**: The 0-60 mph time for the Super 90 variant was around 10 seconds.
- **Transmission**: It featured a 4-speed manual gearbox.
- **Weight**: The curb weight was around 838 kg (1847 lbs).

The 356B was praised for its excellent handling, thanks to its rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and lightweight construction. It remains a beloved classic among car enthusiasts.
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Spares
You can obtain spare parts for your Porsche 356 in the UK and Ireland from the following places:

1. **Porsche Genuine Parts Finder** - Offers Porsche Genuine Parts to ensure optimum performance.
2. **Autopartspro.co.uk** - Provides a range of original spare parts for various Porsche 356 models.
3. **Roger Bray Restoration** - Specializes in parts and accessories for classic Porsches, including the 356.
4. **Heritage Parts Centre** - Stocks over 25,000 parts including engines, body panels, exhausts, and more for the Porsche 356.
5. **Eurospares** - Sells genuine Porsche 356 and 365A spare parts with exploded part diagrams to help find what you need.
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Specialists
**NORTHERN IRELAND PORSCHE MECHANICAL SERVICES**
One of the leading Porsche mechanic specialists in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, is **McMillan Specialist Cars**. They are renowned for their expertise in servicing and maintaining Porsche vehicles, along with other high-end brands. Here are some details:

- **McMillan Specialist Cars**
- **Location**: Unit 10, Plasketts Close, Kilbegs Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BT41 4NN, Northern Ireland
- **Services**: General repairs, servicing, MOT preparation, rally and race preparation, and more.
- **Contact**: 028 9335 4911
- **Website**: [McMillan Specialist Cars](https://mcmillanspecialistcars.com/)

You can also consider the **Porsche Centre Belfast**. Here are the details:

- **Porsche Centre Belfast**
- **Location**: 90 Sydenham Road, Belfast BT3 9DJ, Northern Ireland
- **Services**: New and pre-owned Porsche cars, servicing, repairs, and parts.
- **Contact**: 028 9038 9999
- **Website**: [Porsche Centre Belfast](https://www.agnewcars.com/porsche/)

Porsche specialists in and around County Armagh and nearby areas:

1. **Hollybrook Sports Cars**
- **Location**: 21 Aghnadarragh Road, Crumlin, BT29 4QQ, Northern Ireland
- **Services**: Specialises in the sale and service of used sports, performance, classic, and collectible cars.
- **Contact**: 028 9445 9446
- **Website**: [Hollybrook Sports Cars](https://www.hollybrooksportscars.com/)

2. **Porsche Specialist Services Ltd**
- **Location**: 2269, Northern Ireland
- **Services**: Comprehensive servicing and repairs for all Porsche models.
- **Website**: [Porsche Specialist Services Ltd](https://www.porschexperts.com/ServiceCentre/2269/Porsche%20Specialist%20Services%20Ltd)

3. **Specialist Cars Ireland**
- **Location**: Serving customers nationwide, including County Armagh.
- **Services**: Independent Porsche service centre with extensive experience in road, race, and track-prepared Porsches.
- **Website**: [Specialist Cars Ireland](https://www.specialistcarsireland.ie/)

Porsche specialists in County Down, Northern Ireland:

1. **Porsche Centre Belfast**
- **Location**: 90 Sydenham Road, Belfast BT3 9DJ
- **Services**: New and pre-owned Porsche cars, servicing, repairs, and parts.
- **Contact**: 028 9038 9999
- **Website**: [Porsche Centre Belfast](https://www.agnewcars.com/porsche/)

2. **McMillan Specialist Cars**
- **Location**: Unit 10, Plasketts Close, Kilbegs Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BT41 4NN
- **Services**: General repairs, servicing, MOT preparation, rally and race preparation, and more.
- **Contact**: 028 9335 4911
- **Website**: [McMillan Specialist Cars](https://mcmillanspecialistcars.com/)

3. **Specialist Cars Ireland**
- **Location**: Serving customers nationwide, including County Down.
- **Services**: Independent Porsche service centre with extensive experience in road, race, and track-prepared Porsches.
- **Website**: [Specialist Cars Ireland](https://www.specialistcarsireland.ie/)

Porsche specialists in and around County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland:

1. **Specialist Cars Ireland**
- **Location**: Serving customers nationwide, including County Fermanagh.
- **Services**: Independent Porsche service centre with extensive experience in road, race, and track-prepared Porsches.
- **Website**: [Specialist Cars Ireland](https://www.specialistcarsireland.ie/)

2. **Porsche Centre Belfast**
- **Location**: 90 Sydenham Road, Belfast BT3 9DJ
- **Services**: New and pre-owned Porsche cars, servicing, repairs, and parts.
- **Contact**: 028 9038 9999
- **Website**: [Porsche Centre Belfast](https://www.agnewcars.com/porsche/)

3. **McMillan Specialist Cars**
- **Location**: Unit 10, Plasketts Close, Kilbegs Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BT41 4NN
- **Services**: General repairs, servicing, MOT preparation, rally and race preparation, and more.
- **Contact**: 028 9335 4911
- **Website**: [McMillan Specialist Cars](https://mcmillanspecialistcars.com/)

Porsche specialists in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland:

1. **Approved Garages**
- **Location**: Various locations in Londonderry
- **Services**: Servicing, repairs, and MOT for Porsche vehicles.
- **Website**: [Approved Garages](https://www.approvedgarages.co.uk/mot-servicing-and-repairs/car-brands/porsche/londonderry/)

2. **ClickMechanic**
- **Location**: Londonderry
- **Services**: Mobile mechanics offering repairs and servicing for Porsche vehicles.
- **Website**: [ClickMechanic](https://www.clickmechanic.com/locations/londonderry/porsche³

3. **McMillan Specialist Cars**
- **Location**: Unit 10, Plasketts Close, Kilbegs Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BT41 4NN
- **Services**: General repairs, servicing, MOT preparation, rally and race preparation, and more.
- **Contact**: 028 9335 4911
- **Website**: [McMillan Specialist Cars](https://mcmillanspecialistcars.com/)

Porsche specialists in and around County Tyrone, Northern Ireland:

1. **Specialist Cars Ireland**
- **Location**: Serving customers nationwide, including County Tyrone.
- **Services**: Independent Porsche service centre with extensive experience in road, race, and track-prepared Porsches.
- **Website**: [Specialist Cars Ireland](https://www.specialistcarsireland.ie/)

2. **Porsche Centre Belfast**
- **Location**: 90 Sydenham Road, Belfast BT3 9DJ
- **Services**: New and pre-owned Porsche cars, servicing, repairs, and parts.
- **Contact**: 028 9038 9999
- **Website**: [Porsche Centre Belfast](https://www.agnewcars.com/porsche/)

3. **McMillan Specialist Cars**
- **Location**: Unit 10, Plasketts Close, Kilbegs Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BT41 4NN
- **Services**: General repairs, servicing, MOT preparation, rally and race preparation, and more.
- **Contact**: 028 9335 4911
- **Website**: [McMillan Specialist Cars](https://mcmillanspecialistcars.com/)
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Racing
The Porsche 356 series was indeed raced and enjoyed significant success in motorsports. Here are some highlights:

1. **24 Hours of Le Mans**: The Porsche 356 made its debut at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951. A 356 SL, driven by Auguste Veuillet and Edmond Mouche, won its class in the race.

2. **Rallying**: The 356 was also popular in rallying events. Its lightweight and nimble handling made it a competitive choice for many drivers.

3. **General Racing**: Many 356s were raced in various events around the world. The car's rear-engine configuration and robust design meant it required minimal modifications to be race-ready.

The Porsche 356 participated in a variety of racing events, showcasing its versatility and performance. Here are some notable ones:

1. **Mille Miglia**: The 356 competed in this famous Italian endurance race, which was a thousand-mile open-road race from Brescia to Rome and back.

2. **Targa Florio**: This was a grueling road race held in the mountains of Sicily. The 356 had several class wins in this event.

3. **Liège-Rome-Liège Rally**: The 356A Carrera GT found success in this rally, winning in 1957.

4. **Tour de France Automobile**: A Carrera GT finished fifth in this multi-stage race in 1957.

5. **12 Hours of Reims**: In 1957, a pair of Carrera GTs with larger engines won their class in this endurance race.

6. **East African Safari Classic Rally**: The 356 participated in this challenging rally, which is known for its tough conditions.

7. **La Carrera Panamericana**: This was a border-to-border sedan and sports car racing event on open roads in Mexico.

The 356's participation in these events helped cement Porsche's reputation for building durable and competitive sports cars.

The **Mille Miglia** (Italian for "Thousand Miles") was an iconic open-road endurance race held in Italy from 1927 to 1957. Here are some key points about its history and significance:

1. **Origins**: The race was established by young Counts Francesco Mazzotti and Aymo Maggi, along with sports manager Renzo Castagneto and motoring journalist Giovanni Canestrini. It was created in response to the Italian Grand Prix being moved from Brescia to Monza.

2. **Route**: The race covered approximately 1,000 miles (about 1,600 km), starting and ending in Brescia, with a turnaround point in Rome. The route varied slightly over the years but generally followed a figure-eight pattern.

3. **Participants**: The Mille Miglia attracted some of the most famous drivers and manufacturers of the time, including Alfa Romeo, BMW, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.

4. **Notable Wins**: The race saw many legendary performances, such as Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson's record-setting drive in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR in 1955, completing the race in just over 10 hours.

5. **End of the Race**: The Mille Miglia was discontinued after a tragic accident in 1957, where a Ferrari driven by Alfonso de Portago crashed, killing both the driver and co-driver, as well as nine spectators.

6. **Legacy**: Since 1977, the Mille Miglia has been revived as a regularity race for classic and vintage cars, limited to models that participated in the original races.

The Mille Miglia remains one of the most celebrated events in motorsport history, symbolizing the golden age of road racing.

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