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356 SPOTTER'S
GUIDE |
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The First stuttgart built porsche 356's are the Pre A's Built from the beginning
of 1950 through to September 1955. The first feature of these models which makes
it easily identified is the windscreen. The Pre A was produced until April
1952 with a two piece windscreen, with a rubber dividing seal down the centre.
After that date through to the 356 A comes the bent windscreen models with one
piece glass, both these early models are aranged with a v shaped front screen.
Another givaway that a 356 is a Pre A is the way in which the sill panels curve
under the car, whilst at the rear of the car there are small rectangular rear
lights.
356 (pre-A) 1950:
Split windshield. "Body" bumpers. "Crash box" transmission.
16-inch wheels. No hole hood handle. Inboard front turn signals. One round and
one rectangular taillight (each side). Shine down license plate light. Single
engine lid grille. Wood trim on top of doors.
356 (pre-A) 1952 :
Bent windshield. Interim bumpers. Hood handle with hole. No more wood trim on
top of door.
356 (pre-A) 1953 :
Syncromesh gearbox. A-style bumpers. Turn signals moved directly below headlights.
2 round beehive taillights on each side.
356 (pre-A) 1954 :
Horn grille with front turn signals.
356 (pre-A) 1955 :
Bigger hood handle with crest (A type)
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The 356A was introduced in september 1955 and was identified by its one piece
curved windscreen and doors without quaterlights. The now flat sill panels feature
a rubbing strip for protection. Round beehive rear lights were fitted to the A
and the bumpers were relocated. 15" wheels and a shine down rear number plate
light. Slight changes were made in September of 1957, Teardrop rear lenses were
fitted, a shine up rear number plate light and the exhaust pipes exited through
the rear overiders this model was known as the 356A t2. The T2 had three door
striker plate screws, where the earlier A had five.
356 A 1956 :
Curved windshield. Flat rocker panel. 15-inch wheels.Redesigned dash.
356 A 1957 :
Overrider tubes added on bumpers of U.S. models. Rounded door handle.
356 A Mid 1957 :
Beehive taillights replaced by single teardrop unit on each side. Shine up
license plate light. Split rear overrider tubes on U.S. models.
356 A 1958
:
T-2 body. Exhaust through bumper guards. Front turn signals mounted on wedge
base. Ashtray under dash.
356 A 1959 :
Higher overrider tubes.
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The 356B is identified by the inclusion of quarter lights in the doors and
a change in body shape, the front end now makes a smooth curve from side to side,
instead of a "wave" as on pre-A and A models.The headlights have been
raised and the front fenders make a nearly straight line from the windshield posts
to the headlights. The bumpers are higher and have put on weight and incorperate
the number plate lights. Under the bumper, a new large opening has been added
on each side, with grilles or optional foglights. The bonnet hood handle now splays
out at the nose, but the bonnet still comes down to a curved tip. There was a
body change in 1961 which is known as the T6, It features a squared off wider
bonnet, two cooling intake grills on the engine lid and the rear windscreen was
also inlarged.
356 B 1960 :
T-5 body: in the front, bigger and higher bumpers with big bumper guards. Higher
headlights and nearly straight fenders. Flattened hood with larger chrome handle.
Revised horn grille and turn signal, with additional grilles under bumper. Last
year of front mounted Porsche script. Vent windows on Coupes. In the rear, bigger
and higher bumpers also, no license plate/back-up light assembly, but 2 license
plate lights on bumper and back-up light integrated in body under the bumper.
356 B 1962 :
T-6 body: slightly different roof line due to larger windshield and rear window
(Coupes only). Larger engine lid (Coupes only). Twin-grille. Air intake at base
of windshield (except Roadster). Squared-off front hood. Gas filler trap on right
front fender.
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The 356C was introduced in July 1963 and it marked the final development
of the 356. Its body shape was the same as that of the 356 T6 which it followed.
The biggest pointer to this model are the hub caps, smaller and flatter than the
A or B models. They are specially designed for the new wheels that were made to
cover the four wheel disc brakes and bolt pattern of the 911.
356 C 1964 :
Disc brakes. Flat hubcaps |
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356 SPOTTER'S GUIDE |
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