Edited to include an advertisement for a 1:1 356A currently for sale, it’s awesome and not stock! This is my offering for this weeks TT. (Scroll down for backing track, if you want) Another of my models from the late ‘80s, I think it’s part of the ‘Dinky Collection’ series. Matchbox had taken over the Dinky brand by the late 1980’s and had started issuing models of cars from the 1950’s and 1960’s. This 1958 356A is in 1:43 scale and is pretty nicely detailed. It has a classic red interior and the metallic silver shows the lines of the old girl well. I went looking for some detailed info on the early Porsche products and found out a couple of things worth mentioning.
The beautiful body for the 356 wasn’t designed by Porsche the man but rather it was one of the employees of the company! I always thought it was the great man himself.
On that subject although Dr Ferdinand Porsche founded the company and also designed the famous Beetle, it was his son Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche who is responsible for the 356 design, apparently not the body lines though. Also, two people in the one family with the same name is never confusing!
The following is from Wikipedia;
“The 356 was created by Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche (son of Dr. Ing. Ferdinand Porsche, founder of the German company), who founded the Austrian company with his sister, Louise. 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. 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.”
I knew Ferry was responsible for the 911 but always thought it was Ferdinand Sr. doing the design work up to that point. Still learning.
Some other useless, yet slightly interesting facts also came to light during my search for info.
1/ It was possible to order a racing helmut and suit with your 356.
2/ There was a hand-cranked radio antenna available as an option as well as an electrically operated version.
3/ Also available was a factory tow hitch. Never have I seen a 356/911 towing anything, seems strange and just plain wrong!
Here’s some Rock’n’Roll from Chuck Berry for your ears. The younger amoung LaLD may not have listened to this music ever before so give it a try, you may like it. Plus it’s car related and has some reference to him having a bit of trouble with a saftey belt while trying to make a move on his girlfriend.
Anyway I encourage you to give this a listen. Picture yourself back then, cruising along with this song on the Blaupunkt valve radio in the dash of your 356, blasting through the awesome 2” paper cone speaker. Those who are lucky enough to hear it through their iPad speakers will experience true aural realism.
There are tiny gold tampos on the front and rear but I’m unable to read them!
EDIT; Front says ‘PORSCHE’, rear the same but with 1600 under it, all in gold plate. (Thanks Fintail)
Link to strange 356 facts; http://derwhites356literature.com/LittleKnownFac…
Wikipedia link; http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_3…
For $125,000 AUD this could 1958 356A be yours! It’s set up for track or rally and looks absolutely superb. Link to blow your mind; http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/priva…