Vehicle Description
This 1964 coupe is a restored example of the final development of
Porsche's iconic 356 series. These are the cars that made Porsche
renowned as a creator of highly desirable sports cars that
continues today. With its rear engine, unusual styling and high
performance the 356 is regarded as one of the most influential
automotive designs in history. This C model represents a major step
forward for Porsche with the introduction of full disc brakes and
an engine that is far removed from the early VW based engine
design. The 356C is important because it is all Porsche and
represents the final culmination of development for the "bathtub"
Porsches that began in 1948 with a design by "Ferry" Porsche.
The car, consigned to the Saratoga Auto Auction, has been in the
same ownership for 20-years and has only 61,000 miles.
The color is the original factory supplied Ivory White and the
four-seat interior has been redone in tan leather, a common upgrade
from the original vinyl seats.
The Porsche 356C features what was then the revolutionary Porsche
air-cooled flat 4-cylinder pushrod engine. A pair of Zenith 32 NDIX
carburetors feed the 1600cc engine, which puts puts out some
88hp.
The engine is teamed with the highly regarded Porsche 742 fully
synchronized four-speed gearbox. As the original Porsche design,
the engine is rear mounted on a steel chassis.
There are some styling clues, like larger windows and the dual air
intakes on the rear lid, that differentiate the 356C from the
earlier A and B models but it is the use of disc brakes on all four
corners, the first Porsches to have all disc brakes, that makes the
C special. Combined with newly dampened steering, stiffened front
anti-roll bar and softer torsion bars the C is reputed to be the
best handling of the 356 models.
This is an excellent example of a popular and coveted sports car
that will only continue to be appreciated by its new owner in the
coming years.
This is an excellent example of a popular and coveted sports car
that will only continue to appreciate in the coming years.