Vehicle exhibits

Ferdinand Porsche founded the company called "Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche GmbH" in 1931, with main offices at Kronenstraße in the centre of Stuttgart. Initially, the company offered motor vehicle development work and consulting, but did not build any cars under its own name. 

One of the first assignments the new company received was from the German government to design a car for the people, that is a "Volkswagen". This resulted in the Volkswagen Beetle, one of the most successful car designs of all time. The Porsche 64 was developed in 1939 using many components from the Beetle

Ferdinand Porsche’s first road- going model bearing his own name was the 356 and was the company's first production automobile. The 356 was created by Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche (son of Ferdinand Porsche, founder of the company). Like its cousin, the Volkswagen Beetle the 356 was a four-cylinder, air-cooled, rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive car utilizing unitized pan and body construction. The chassis was a completely new design as was the 356's body, which was designed by Porsche employee Erwin Komenda, while certain mechanical components including the engine case and some suspension components were based on and initially sourced from Volkswagen.

Production started in 1948 at Gmünd, Austria, where approximately 50 cars were built. In 1950 the factory relocated to Zuffenhausen, Germany, and general production of the 356 continued until April 1965, well after the replacement model 911 made its autumn 1963 debut.

The last revision of the 356 was the 356C as seen here being introduced for the 1964 model year. It featured disc brakes all round, as well as an option for the most powerful pushrod engine Porsche had ever produced, the 95 hp (71 kW) "SC." 356 production peaked at 14,151 cars in 1964. 

This Exhibit, one of the most desirable 356 models the "SC" features several factory options including an electric sunroof, fog lamps, chrome luggage rack and wooden steering wheel. 

Donated by the Late Barry Owen of Christchurch