1961 Porsche 356 B – Auction Car of the Week

The 356 was genesis for Porsche. Year zero. A superhero origin story. It was the company’s very first production car, the legacy of which still shines through today in the vehicles that it produces. And that’s incredible, quite frankly. To say Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche got it right first time round would be a crude understatement. Park a 356 next to a modern day 911 and you’ll not only notice the evolutionary steps, but you’ll also see the influence that that fledgling effort has had on Porsche’s subsequent models. That’s a rare thing. Not a lot of auto manufacturers can boast that kind of historical lineage all the way back to the beginning.

Debuting in 1948 it was a bold move to introduce a car with an air-cooled, rear-mounted flat-four engine, but it was a move that proved to be a winning formula, quite literally. The 356 was a fast, nimble little sports car that would find success not only with the public, but in the highly competitive arena of motorsport too, emerging top of its class at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1951.

Over its 17 year production run the 356 would undergo a number of refinements and improvements. The original car, designated the 356 A would be superseded by the B in 1960 and that’s exactly what we have available here via our auctions platform. This 1961 Porsche 356 B is not only the desirable cabriolet variant but it’s also the ‘Super 90’. Named for the peak horsepower figure that its 1600cc, OHV boxer engine produced the Super 90 is the pick of the bunch. This uprated performance was achieved thanks to the addition of a racier camshaft, a 9.1 compression ratio and larger, twin 40-millimetre Solex PII carburettors. Combined with a low curb weight of just 900 kg these uprated 356 Bs were quite the package.

The comprehensive history of this particular right-hand drive model can be traced all the way back to its original owner. The recipient of a full, bare-metal restoration that began way back in ’89, the car was in and out of storage over the intervening years with the work finally being completed in 2010 after various setbacks and changes of circumstance that we’re sure any classic car enthusiast can relate to. The bottom line is that the car was painstakingly brought back to its former glory with a focus on originality. The entire journey has been fully documented to boot. The factory colour scheme was retained and the car remains faithful to its original specification, including the six-volt electrics. Having covered a mere 500 miles since completion it’s now begging to be driven.

With such limited use and a 12-year gap since the restoration the 356 has acquired a slight patina which we think lends a certain charm and originality to the car. This isn’t a concours example but that’s no bad thing. This is a car that can be used without having to worry about how the bug splats and road grime are going to affect the paintwork. It’s a car that you won’t be afraid to take outside and actually enjoy, and isn’t that the whole point anyway? The elegant lines of this iconic sports car still take centre stage, however and although there are a few blemishes to the paint and the chrome is slightly weathered if you did choose to refresh the car these are all things that can be easily rectified.

The interior also carries a certain, superficial patina which again only adds to the car’s original appeal. Reupholstered as part of the restoration the rich burgundy leather is ageing nicely and the entire cabin presents beautifully throughout, superbly complimenting the white exterior bodywork.

Mechanically speaking this 356 B appears to be impeccably set up. It runs and drives perfectly, sounding great while doing it. The six-volt electrics function exactly as they should but with such limited use over the last few years a full mechanical check and service would be auspicious. This would purely be for peace of mind, however, ensuring that the car could be driven and enjoyed, free of any potential concerns. Its last MOT was issued in 2017 with zero advisories so we don’t envisage any real issues would emerge.

For all intents and purposes this 1961 Porsche 356 B is a beautiful, characterful and, perhaps more importantly, a usable example of one of the most iconic cars to ever roll out of the Porsche factory. Or any factory for that matter. It’s a bona fide piece of automotive history that is crying out to be back on the open road where it belongs. Go and have a read through the full listing here and take a good look at all of the photos and then get bidding. You know you want to.