GMUND COUPE/356: 1948 TO 1963

2-door, 2+2 coupe. Rear-mounted 4-cylinder air-cooled 'boxer' engine. Sharing many of its mechanical parts with the humble VW beetle on which the design was partly based - the first Porsche designed by Ferry Porsche was more than just the people's car. Its flowing design was as clean as its rear-mounted air-cooled engine was unconventional. Performance was 'adequately healthy' for its time.

Early Gmund Coupes had aluminum bodies and were built in a converted sawmill in Austria (the name of the town giving rise to the Gmund Coupe name) before the firm returned to its natural home in Stuttgart . A Gmund Coupe won its class at the 1951 24 Heures du Mans, and set Porsche on its way to achieving record-breaking success at the La Sarthe circuit.

Dimensions: Wheelbase (mm): 2100 - Length (mm): between 3850(1950) and 4010 (1959). Width (mm): 1600.

1948 to 1949: Gmund Coupes:- the 356's direct predecessor was first produced in July 1948. The aluminum-bodied Gmund Coupes use virtually all VW mechanicals from gearbox to torsion bar suspension and, of course, the Beetle derived engine. Drum brakes were fitted all round.

1950: 'Pre-A' 356:- following the move to Stuttgart, the 356's integral body was made of steel and the design was given a higher waistline than Gmund Coupes with the V-shaped roof to accommodate its split screen. 1.1-litre engine now produces 40 bhp, and along with the other engines on offer after 1952 is mated with Porsche's own gearbox.

1955: 356A:- New engines, suspension altered. New curved 'V-screen' does away with the need to split the screen, vinyl replaces cloth inside. New dash, combined ignition/starter. New gearbox in 1957.

1955: Four Cam Carreras:- Launched at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, these engines were directly derived from racing technology, with GT-denoted models aimed specifically at motorsport. They were dry sumped, had reduced compression ratios and revved much higher. The cars around them were lightweight, making them very potent on the road for their day.

1959: 356B:- 90bhp 1600 introduced for Super 90 which gets 'compensating rear springs' to improve handling. Changes to bumper position, headlamps and numerous interior details

1961: Numerous changes again including twin air intakes.

1963: 356C:- Reworked engines, super clutch on 75 and 95 bhp models, disc brakes introduced all-round, rear compensating spring special order only, no external changes but rethink of interior details.

1964: Porsche takes control of Reutter.