Puntiki:This car is a classic. It was produced from 1948-1966 and around 78,000 were built in both coupe and convertible form. It is estimated that over half of the cars produced are still around today. It was not a powerhouse, as the engine tapped out at around 130hp DIN, but it is a car to cruize in not to race..... Nothing like cruizing down the PCH with the wind in your hair, the beachboys playing, and a bikini model in the passenger seat......It is a timeless car and a convertible version is on my wish list.
Pablo over to you....
Pablo: Oh yes. This car is indeed a classic. It is, aside from the quintessential 911 the very essence of what Porsche represents. The 356 represents an era of automobile that was fun, spunky and shamelessly self-centred. And the best thing about the car is that they were reliable (aside from the tonneau) and well made. However, I have to say that the 300SL gullwing is by far a better classic, and arguably better looking as well. The 356 has its spiritual replacement in the 1996 Boxster, a car that saved Porsche from being gobbled up by one of the big German three.
8 comments:
The Gullwing Merc was, at the time, really a mechanically brilliant (if complicated) car, despite being called the Widowmaker. The Porsche, on the other hand, was a much simpler vehicle. In spirit (but not build), I guess it can be likened to the British sportscars of yore like the MG's of the '60s. Currently, though the ancestor of the current Boxster, perhaps it could be likened to a Mazda MX-5 -- simple, light, reasonably powerful (but not overtly so), reliable, and has a soul.
They have built a lot more MX5's than they ever did 356's, but you are along the right lines. Comparing the 356 to the Gullwing is like comparing a boxter to a SL55..... Not comparable except for their age.
Saved Porsche from being gobbled up by the Big German 3?
Are you on drugs?
If so can I have some too?
Porsche is mostly family owned, as is BMW.
The Quandts own 51% of BMW I think
In the '70s and '80s, Porsche already had tie-ups with VW and Audi. The 924 was designed by Porsche for VW using an Audi/VW 2.0 engine, as well as familiar bits and pieces. They had ads in US car mags with "Porsche + Audi". Small carmakers like them are always vulnerable. BMW's controlling shareholding is still held by the Quandts, Porsche, I'm not sure. The family has some control, but they may be now publicly-listed. Problem for small volume makers is that it cost so much money just to develop an engine, let alone a chassis or unique lights for a car, enough to keep up with competitors. You need a reasonable volume of sales to be able to stay "unique." Look at Volvo and SAAB. Volvo in the '80s could only manage about 300K cars/year. SAAB couldn't afford to reskin the 900 (1977-1992!) without GM's funding. If Porsche priced its wares too high to recover costs, not enough will buy them -- like Ferarri et al who are all now mere subsidiaries. The 911 will always cost a lot, and less people will buy them,but a more affordable car like the 924/944 of the '80s and the Boxster of today, give adequate volume for them to stay afloat.
I'm not too sure what to say here but I seem to find that my interest in vintage cars is ever increasing. Starting to show my age here now
These cars are really cool..... I can understand why your interest has peeked in vintage cars.
Perfectly normal. Cars and music. There will be the odd new one you'll like, but there comes a time when you settle down and define what stuff you really like.
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