1960 – Porsche 356 – Roadster

American Photographer Mark Fisher

The Porsche 356 was the company’s first production automobile. It was a lightweight and nimble handling rear-engine rear-wheel-drive 2 door sports car available in hardtop and convertible configurations. Design innovations continued during the years of manufacture, contributing to its motorsports success and popularity.

The 356 was created by Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche (son of Dr. Ing. Ferdinand Porsche, founder of the company). Like its cousin, the Volkswagen Beetle (which Ferdinand Porsche Senior had designed), the 356 was a four-cylinder, air-cooled, rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive car utilizing unitized pan and body construction. While the 356’s body was an original design by Porsche employee Erwin Komenda, its mechanicals (including engine, suspension and chassis) were derived from the Volkswagen. The first 356, was roadcertified in Austria on June 8, 1948, and used many Volkswagen parts for manufacturing economy. Porsche quickly re-engineered and refined the car with a focus on performance. By the late ’50s many fewer parts were shared in common between Volkswagen and Porsche. The early 356 automobile bodies produced at Gmünd, Austria were handcrafted in aluminum, but when production moved to Zuffenhausen, Germany in 1950, models produced there were steel-bodied.
Little noticed at its inception, the first 356s sold primarily in Austria and Germany. From the first prototype in 1948, it took Porsche about two years to manufacture the first 50 automobiles. By the early 1950s the 356 had gained some renown among enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic for its aerodynamics, handling, and excellent build quality. It was common for owners to race the car as well as drive it on the street. Increasing success with its racing and road cars brought Porsche orders for over 10,000 units in 1964, and when 356 production ended in 1965 approximately 76,000 had been produced.

Image © Mark Fisher 2010

(All Rights Reserved)

To Contact Mark Fisher

E-Mail to; firststampmultimedia@yahoo.com

You Must E-Mail.

I Do Not Take Phone Calls Directly.

If You Need A Phone Number To My Manager

Please Send An E-Mail And It Will Be Provided.

Website; http://web.me.com/markfishernyc1

Face Book Page:

http://www.facebook.com/
MarkFisherAmerican#!/MarkFisherAmerican

More To Be Found On A Google Search

Mark Fisher Beauty Photographer

Mark Fisher NYC1

Mark Fisher Photographer

Film Maker Mark Fisher

New York Photographer Mark Fisher

Fashion Photographer Mark Fisher

Rock Photographer Mark Fisher

Photographer Mark Fisher

American Photographer Mark Fisher

Look For The Blogs.

To See More Images

Or Go To My Website…

Thank You 