1959→1963 Porsche 356B/1600 Coupe
In September of 1959 Porsche revealed their fully updated 356 known as the 356B. This had a completely revised body that was more suitable for the American market.
The 356B used the new T5 bodystyle which raised the front and rear bumpers nearly four inches. Furthermore the headlights were also repositioned higher to meet American regulations.
Inside Porsche fitted a new deep dish steering wheel and deeper front seats.
New to the model was the Type 616/7 Super 90 engine which was an indirect replacement for the Carrera de Luxe models. The engine was fully revised with a new intake manifold, a larger Solex 40 PII-4 carburetor and the Carrera air filters. Other detail changes included 9.0:1 pistons, stronger valve springs, a different crankshaft with 55mm main bearings.
In August of 1961 Porsche revealed the updated T6 body with larger windows for the Coupe and twin engine grills on the rear deck. These had a much revised front trunk with a different gas tank that was accessed under a filler lid on the fender instead of the middle of the trunk.
In 1963, the 356C marked the third and final update to the 356 saga.
In Detail
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1959 – 1963 |
| built at | Stutgart, Germany |
| engine | Flat-4 |
| position | Rear, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | Pushron OHV, Two Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | 2 Zenith 32 NDIX Caburettors |
| displacement | 1582 cc / 96.54 in³ |
| bore | 82.5 mm / 3.2 in |
| stroke | 74 mm / 2.9 in |
| compression | 8.5:1 |
| power | 64.1 kw / 86 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 54.36 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 95.56 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 120.7 nm / 89 ft lbs @ 4300 rpm |
| redline | 6000 |
| body / frame | Unitary Steel Monocoque |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Steel Discs |
| front tires | 165 SR-15 Sport |
| rear tires | 165 SR-15 Sport |
| front brakes | Al-Fin Aluminum Drums |
| f brake size | 40 x 280 mm / 1.6 x 11.0 in |
| rear brakes | Al-Fin Aluminum Drums |
| r brake size | 40 x 280 mm / 1.6 x 11.0 in |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 11.4 cm / 15 x 4.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 11.4 cm / 15 x 4.5 in |
| f suspension | Swing Arms w/Torsion Bars, Adj Anti-Roll Bar, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Half Axles w/Radius Arms, Torsion Bars, Anti-Roll Bar, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 900 kg / 1980 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2100 mm / 82.7 in |
| front track | 1306 mm / 51.4 in |
| rear track | 1272 mm / 50.1 in |
| length | 4010 mm / 157.9 in |
| width | 1670 mm / 65.7 in |
| height | 1330 mm / 52.4 in |
| transmission | 741/0A 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 3.091:1, 1.765:1, 1.130:1, 0.815:1 |
| final drive | 4.428:1 |
| top speed | ~156.07 kph / 97 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~15 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~19.4 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 52 litres or 13.73 gal. |
Auction Sales History
1963 Porsche 356 B Super Coupe 121894 – sold for $95,700 Single Owner Care for 50 Years. 2009 Comprehensive Restoration by Experts. Desirable T-6 Super Specification. Correct Details and Excellent Documentation. Includes Blaupunkt Radio and Period Luggage Rack. Auction Source: The 2015 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company
1961 Porsche 356 B Super Coupe 113267 – sold for $126,500 Highly Desirable 1600 Super Model. First-Year, Factory-Original Electric Sunroof. Exceptionally Well Equipped with 16 Factory Options. Expert Bare-Metal Restoration Completed in 2013. Accompanied by Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, Tools, and Jack. Auction Source: The 2015 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company
1963 Porsche 356 B 1600 Super Coupe 211738 – sold for $129,250 Documented by its Porsche build sheet. Retains the original 75-horsepower engine. Freshly and expertly restored in factory colors. Auction Source: 2014 Arizona by RM Auctions
1963 Porsche 356B Coupe – sold for $67,500. Original rare Smyrna Green car with factory super 75 HP. Matching numbers motor and 616/12 case designation according to the factory Kardex Porsche build sheet. Fresh restoration with stripped to bare metal professional body and paint work. Color was sanded and buffed to show condition with excellent hood, door and trunk fit. Body and paint work reformed by 356 specific restoration facility. Complete motor rebuild and cosmetic restoration including new weather stripping, chrome, interior, underside detail and 4-corner suspension detail. Auction Source: The Daytime Auction in Monterey by Mecum
1963 Porsche 356 B 1600 Coupe 213231 – sold for $120,000 Expertly restored by Skip Shirley. The 2011 Porsche Parade Gmund Achievement Award winner. Original California delivery. Among the very best in the world. Auction Source: 2013 Monterey Auction by RM Auctions
1963 Porsche 356 B Coupe 210935 – sold for $44,000. This show-quality, three-owner 1963 Porsche 356 B coupe is Karmann chassis number 210935. Finished in rare Smyrna Green paint, its hood, doors and trunk lid all carry the correct “35” number stamping identifying them as original and correct 356 pieces. Powered by a matching numbers 1600 CC dual-carb flat 4 engine and 4-speed gearbox, this beautiful 356 B coupe has just been serviced with correct Stoddard carpets, new tires, muffler, shifter bushing and a complete tune up, and comes well-documented with a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. Auction Source: 2012 Daytime Auction by Mecum
