Description
As the first production car built under the Porsche name, the 356 formed the foundation for the legendary German marque. Designed by Ferry Porsche – the son of company founder Ferdinand – it was launched in 1948, when the firm was still based in the Austrian town of Gmünd.
By 1950, Porsche had moved back to Germany, to the Stuttgart borough of Zuffenhausen, and its reputation grew rapidly for the rest of that decade – thanks largely to its motorsport prowess and success in North America.
Although the basic outline of the 356 remained intact throughout its production run, there were numerous updates along the way. Steel bodywork soon replaced the aluminium that had been used on the earliest cars, and while the capacity of the rear-mounted, air-cooled, flat-four engine was originally 1100cc, Porsche soon added 1300cc and 1500cc variants.
In 1955, the 356A was introduced with its updated T1 body and the option of a 1600cc engine – plus the four-cam Carrera unit. The 356B was then introduced in 1960 with a new T5 body style. The 1600cc engine was now available across all body styles – Coupé, Cabriolet and Roadster – and with various power outputs.
The 356B gained the latest T6 body in 1962, and the final incarnation of this famous model was the 1964 356C, which featured disc brakes all round and could be specified in 2-litre Carrera 2 form. In that same year, Porsche introduced the six-cylinder 911 and production of the 356 came to an end in 1965.
First registered on 1 April 1963, this Porsche 356B is chassis number 122910 and was built at the end of 1962 with the new T6 body, and boasts an original electric sunroof. As a Super 90, it also features the 90bhp version of Porsche’s 1582cc flat-four engine. With the exception of the four-cam Carrera, this was the most powerful model in the line-up and the brochure described it as being ‘truly a magnificent powerplant’.
After being restored by marque specialist Derek Grayshon, the 356B was acquired in 2000 by Fred Gallagher. During the course of a long career in rallying, Gallagher had been co-driver to the likes of Tony Pond, Henri Toivonen, Bjorn Waldegard, Timo Salonen, Ari Vatanen and Juha Kankkunen. He later moved into administration and organisation, and was one of the founders of Rally The Globe.
During his ownership, Gallagher has enthusiastically campaigned the Porsche in events such as the Mini Britannia, Tour Britannia and Throckmorton Challenge, and for the 2016 Devon Challenge he was joined in the car by former McLaren designer Neil Oatley, who acted as navigator. The 356 even made a brief appearance in the 2002 film Possession, which starred Gwyneth Paltrow.
The comprehensive history file documents the care and attention it’s received during that time, including an engine rebuild in 2007. More recently, the front brakes were rebuilt in 2024 and a new gear linkage fitted. The end result is a very well-sorted example of the Porsche 356B Super 90, and in our opinion the nicest useable one we have seen with us – it is a highly sought-after model that’s ideally suited to both fast road driving or classic rally competition use.
The car is currently with Rally Preparation Services sister Company, the RPS storage facility and available for inspection.
All viewings and test drives welcomed by appointment at Rally Preparation Services.
All enquiries please contact us on using the button below or telephone +44(0)the details below
