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1956 Porsche 356A Coupe
Some history & technical specifications



www.356registry.org Richard Milling
Richard Millang's 1956 356 Coupe
Ever since I was a child, I've always thought the shape and general grace of the 356 was the ultimate — the car the started it all for Porsche. What else is there to say? You either crave them...or you don't. There's no in between.

quote from Richard Millang's description

Don Morton 's 1956 356 Coupe
She is finished in Sahara Beige over red vinyl with oatmeal carpets. Extremely solid car that drives like a 356 should.

www.356registry.org


www.356registry.org Don Morton

1956: the 10,000th Porsche 356
Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Company, the 10,000th Porsche 356 leaves the production hall.
Porsche has already scored 400 victories in motor racing.

www3.us.porsche.com

An excerpt from A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PORSCHE 356 or how to tell them apart
by Bertrand Picard
© Copyright 1996

TYPE 356 A (1956-1959)
The major feature differentiating the pre-A from the A is again the windshield. All windshields are now curved, i.e. they form a smooth arc from one side of the car to the other, as does the roof (the "peak" previously required to accomodate the pre-A windshield having been eliminated). The body remains basically unchanged, with the front having its typical rounded fenders with low mounted headlights. The hood handle is now much longer and has a crest. On the side, the rocker panels are now flat, as seen in perspective from the front of the car (while they curved inwards on the pre-A) and a deco strip has been added with a large rubber insert, as opposed to the B where the insert is thinner.Wheels are 15-inch whereas the pre-A had 16-inch rims. Also, as a result of the new windshield shape, the dash has been redesigned and is now curved to follow the shape of the glass instead of being "pointy" as in the pre-A.

http://www.kwik-link.com/

Some Specifications for the 1956 Porsche 356A Carrera Coupe

Total Production of 1956 356A Coupes 2921

1956

Origin

Not Available

Make

Porsche

Base Price

$5 995 USD

Model

356A Carrera Coupe

Rea  

Engine & Transmission

Body / Chassis

Position

Rear

Drive Wheels

Rear

Configuration

Flat 4

Curb Weight

923 kg / 2035 lbs

Valvetrain

DOHC

Length

 

Displacement

1498 cc / 91.4 cu in

Width

 

Power

82.0 kw / 110.0 bhp @ 6200 rpm

Height

 

Torque

118.6 nm / 87.5 ft lbs @ 5200 rpm

Wheelbase

2101 mm / 82.7 in

Bore

85.09 mm / 3.35 in

Front Track

1306 mm / 51.4 in

Stroke

66.0 mm / 2.6 in

Rear Track

1273 mm / 50.1 in

HP / Liter

73.43 bhp per litre

Gear Type

4-Speed Manual

       

     Performance

Top Speed

193.1 kph / 120.0 mph

0 - 60 mph

11.5 seconds

¼ mile

17.7 seconds

0 - 100 mph

33.5 seconds


www.supercars.net

 

Below is a listing of Porsche 356-A Factory accessories as shown in an accessory brochure believed to be from 1956.
The standard items are included, and some others rarely seen.

QA 21  -  Foglights, amber lenses, bumper mounted ($26.20).
QA 21a  -  Foglights, amber lenses, body mounted ($26.20).
QA 23  -   Standard Coupe seats for Speedster ($28.60).
QA 24  -  8-day Clock, mounted in glove compartment door ($9.00).
QA 25  -  Trouble Light with cord, plugs into lower edge of instrument panel ($1.65).
QA 26  -  Sliding Roof ($155.00).
QA 27  -  Chrome Wheels ($59.50).
QA 28  -  Wheel Rings, finned & bolted to wheel (not for 15 in. wheels).
QA 29  -  Rear View Mirror, clips to door ($3.00).
QA 31  -   Coco Mats ($6.20).
QA 32  -  Headrests, leather ($13.50 each).
QA 32a  -  Headrests, Leatherette & Corduroy ($11.50 each).
QA 32b  -  Headrests, Leatherette ($11.50 each).
QA 33  -  3 Band Radio with 2 speakers (AM/FM/SW)
Blaupunkt Bremen AM/LW ($89.50).
Blaupunkt Stuttgart AM/LW/SW ($109.00).
Blaupunkt Frankfurt AM/FM/LW ($126.00).
Blaupunkt Koln AM/FM/LW Automatic ($165.50).
Becker Europe AM ($96.50).
Becker Europe AM/FM ($122.60).
Becker Mexico AM/FM Automatic ($180.00).
QA 34  -   Retractable Antennae, hand crank-below ($19.35).
QA 34a  -  Retractable Antennae, automatic electric-above ($47.60).
QA 36  -  Bench Seat (front), split back, with recliner mechanisms ($26.20).
QA 37  -  Foam Plastic Filled Cushion for driver seat - Speedster ($3.30).
QA 38  -  Luggage Rack, silver metalic finish, with tie down straps ($18.60, straps-$6.00).
QA 39  -  Single Piece of Luggage for behind auxilliary seat ($46.50).
QA 39a  -  3-piece luggage Set, for inside car, leather, with tie down straps ($93.00).
QA 39b  -  2-piece Luggage Set, for inside car, leather, with tie down straps ($84.65).
QA 40  -   Plaid Canvas Luggage for front trunk compartment ($37.20).
QA 40a  -  Leather Luggage for front trunk compartment ($15.25).
QA 41  -  Cast Headlight Grills ($23.50).
QA 42  -  Crash Helmet with Porsche Crest ($12.40).
QA 43  -  White Twill Coveralls, elastic wrist & ankle bands, PORSCHE across back ($10.00).
QA 44  -  Safety Belt, quick release, complete with mounting hardware.
QA 48  -  Chrome Headlight Hoods.
QA 49  -  Tonneau Cover, zippered ($23.40).
QA 50  -  Reclining Seat Mechanism, converts standard seat to reclining seat (L&R).
Text from www.356registry.org/
Original prices courtesy of Jerry Haussler

References
www.supercars.net
www3.us.porsche.com
www.356registry.org
http://www.kwik-link.com

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