BACKGROUND TO THE PORSCHE 356 BT5
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1959, Porsche launched the 356 B. It featured a number of visual and mechanical updates but retained the essential Porsche DNA that made the 356 such an attractive proposition. Two variants were produced: the T-5 from September 1959 to August 1961 and the T-6 from September 1961 to July 1963.
The Porsche 356 B T5 Coupe is a beautifully refined iteration of Porsche s first production sports car, blending classic styling with improved drivability. Produced between 1959 and 1961, the T5 version of the 356 B introduced subtle yet significant design updates, including a higher front bumper, revised headlight placement, and larger front and rear grilles for better cooling.
Ignoring the expensive line of four cam Carrera derivatives (covered separately), customers could choose from three different engines that variously produced 60bhp (1600), 75bhp (1600 Super) and 90bhp (1600 Super 90). Three body styles were also available: Coupe, Cabriolet and Roadster.
Like its predecessors, the 356 B featured a steel unibody type assembly. For this latest application, the floorpan was modified to accommodate a different gearbox linkage and new rear seats but was otherwise little changed. Suspension-wise not much was different either. Fully independent all round, it used transverse torsion bars and trailing arms with additional swing axles at the rear.
The main change was made on the flagship Super 90 which came with a compensating rear spring to keep the back wheels as flat as possible under load. As part of the package, softer rear torsion bars were fitted (reduced from 24mm to 23mm). This arrangement was a cost option on the 1600 and 1600 Super. Also present on the Super 90 were adjustable Koni springs. The combined effect of all these changes saw it become easily the best handling 356.
