My husband had the rare opportunity to test drive a Porsche 356 and wrote a report about it. Please take a look if you’re interested.

Porsche 356: The First Model to Bear the Porsche Name

Porsche was founded in 1931. Its official name is Dr.Ing.h.c.F.Porsche AG, which in Japanese translates to “Ferdinand Porsche Honorary Doctor of Engineering Corporation.”

The first car to carry the “Porsche” name was the Porsche 356, produced starting in 1948. The 356 was manufactured until 1965, making it a long-lived model spanning about 17 years. However, during that time, there were many different types (models). At first glance, they look similar, but on closer inspection, their size and design vary quite a bit.

The one we had the chance to ride in was a 1964 Porsche 356SC. According to the owner, they wanted to drive a later model 356 as much as possible, so they chose this almost final version.

This restored example looks incredibly cool. Even today, its straightforwardly handsome design pairs perfectly with the black body and white-toned interior.

Test Driving the Porsche 356

First, the owner drove while I sat in the passenger seat. The metallic sound of the door closing was very satisfying. Old cars really do have such wonderful door sounds.

The passenger seat is a bit worn, but very comfortable, with a sofa-like feel that’s a bit more luxurious than the 911’s seats.

After gently warming up the engine and setting off, I was surprised by how comfortable the ride was. Given it’s a car over 50 years old, I had expected a thin, fragile ride quality, but of course, it’s a Porsche.

The ride is very solid, and there’s no wobbliness on curves. Of course, the tires have a very high profile, so there’s some softness in the tires themselves, but the suspension’s rigidity and firmness are clearly felt even from the passenger seat, allowing confident cornering.

The engine sound is a rhythmic “bobobobo” from the classic naturally aspirated flat-four, and the moderate vibrations match the car’s atmosphere perfectly. It’s said to have about 95 horsepower from a 1600cc engine, but with a low gear ratio, the engine revs high in normal use, giving a strong sense of power.

The balance of the suspension, power delivery, and engine sound is excellent, making this a prime example of a car that’s fun even without pushing it hard.

Even when accelerating on a straight, the stability exceeded my expectations. The owner said it can comfortably cruise at high speeds on the highway.