www.QV500.com - Porsche 356 A Part 1: 356 A T-1
 
Porsche’s 356 was among the most influential post-war sports cars and 'A' variants are often considered to be the finest incarnations of this legendary machine. More sporting, improved ergonomically and with a superior ride and handling, production was split into two categories. There was the T-1 from 1955 to ’57 and the T-2 from ’57 to ’59, these designations relating to subtly different exterior detailing although both were available in Coupe, Cabriolet and Speedster configurations (until the Speedster was replaced by the Convertible D in 1958). A wide variety of engines was available throughout the A's four year production, customers being able to choose from either plain or roller bearing engines of 1.3 or 1.6-litres. Aspiring racers and other wealthy buyers could alternatively opt for the hot four camshaft Carrera in either 1.5 or 1.6-trim. All Carrera variants produced in excess of 100bhp and retailed at a much higher price than the single cam A's. Important developments were introduced to several key areas for the transition from pre-A, considerable attention having been paid to the suspension geometry and spring rates. A softer sprung front end was achieved by ditching the leafing of the laminated torsion bars while at the rear, vertically mounted telescopic shock absorbers replaced the outgoing angled items.
   

Not only were the spring rates slightly softened but suspension travel was also increased resulting in a more refined ride and better handing. There were new telescopic steering dampers, hydraulic drum brakes and wider 15-inch wheels with hub caps affectionately knonw as ‘Baby Moon’s. Ignoring for the timebeing the four-camshaft Carrera (covered seperately in Part 3), air-cooled flat four engines were available in four states of tune; 1300, 1300S, 1600 and 1600S, S denoting Super engines, non-S engines often being referred to as Normal. All had warm air directed from the cylinders to the carburettors for quicker warm-up whilst the flywheel was made heavier to subdue idling and facilitate smoother starts. The 1.6 Normal and Super replaced the 1.5-litre Pre-A flagship, displacement rising to 1582cc thanks to a 2.5mm bore increase (now 82.5mm), stroke remaining unchanged at 74mm. Designated Typ 616/1, the Normal 1600 produced 60bhp at 4500rpm with compression set at 7.5:1 and two Solex 32 PBIC twin choke carbs. The primary difference between it and the Super was the more conservative plain bearing crankshaft, both 1300 and 1600 Super's getting exotic roller bearing cranks. The 1600 S was equipped with 75bhp at 5000rpm, compression being set at 8.5:1 and two Solex 40 PBIC twin choke carburettors fitted. Performance of both 1.6-litre engines was very impressive, 0-60mph taking the 1600 S under 15 seconds whilst top speed was in excess of 110mph.

 
The two 1.3-litre pushrod engines also shared an identical displacement to one another, 1290cc to be exact with bore and stroke measurements of 74.5 x 74mm respectively. In Normal tune, the Typ 506/2 engine had an output of 44bhp at 4200rpm with a 6.5:1 compression and two Solex 32 PBI twin choke carbs. By contrast, the roller bearing 1300, designated Typ 589/2, produced 60bhp at 5500rpm, had compression set at 8.2:1 and 32 PBIC carburettors, endowing it with eminently comparable performance to the plain bearing 1600. Neither 1.3 was officially imported into the USA although a few 1.3-litre cars inevitably found their way across the Atlantic.
   
All 356 A's got new Typ 644 transmissions with one-piece housings, the gear shafts being installed through the front. In addition, the front transmission mounting switched from a single rubber pad to a pair of circular rubber mounts. Bodywork was fabricated by Reutter in Stuttgart, the slightly revised exterior detailing warranting a new designation, T-1. Subtly revised shells were available in either Coupe, Cabriolet or Speedster configurations and although very much retaining the proportions of pre-A variants, the T-1 bodywork featured a number of distinctive differences from its predecessors. By this time, a new one-piece curved glass windscreen had officially replaced the outgoing split-screen and not only was this more aesthetically appealing, it also improved visibility. Other alterations included more rounded wheelarches and sills that no longer folded underneath the bodywork, a decorative chrome side strip with rubber insert running the length of the wheelbase. North American-bound cars were often fitted with their own unique 'double-bumpers'. Aside from the obvious, differences between the Coupe, Cabriolet and Speedster saw the latter get an anodised gold belly strip and 'Speedster' scripting, the Coupe and Cabriolet's just receiving plain alloy belly strips. So competently designed was the original 356 cockpit that only relatively minor refinements were made during the models entire 15-year duration. A's were slightly more contemporary, a little sportier and improved ergonomically too.
 
There were fully reclining front seats and re-designed rear seats although these were best folded down for additional stowage. A new instrument panel was used for Coupe and Cabriolet versions, the top of which was upholstered in either leather or vinyl. Radio speakers were housed in each kick panel, door panels generally being trimmed to match the seat shade while white perforated vinyl headlining now extended down the roof pillars. Coupe's could be specified with vinyl or optional leather hide, Cabriolet’s nearly always being trimmed in the latter, this having been available in a choice of either beige, black, brown, green or red.
   
Other optional extras included chrome-plated bumpers, head restraints and a choice of steering wheels from VDM, Nardi or Derrington. As always, customers who wished to compete at any level with their 356 could order hot performance components found normally on the Carrera. Launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show during September of 1955 and going into production that October, the 356 A was rightly hailed as the greatest incarnation of Porsche's diminutive sports car yet. Inevitably though, Porsche were soon making improvements, a continual programme of upgrades keeping the 356 at the forefront of any technological advances. In July 1956, the first alterations came on those cars bound for North America, the standard bumpers now accomodating large overriders and a supplementary bar above the centre-section. The next changes came in March of 1957 when the pairs of circular rear lights were replaced by horizontally positioned ‘teardrop’ clusters. At the same the number plate light was repositioned from above to below the registration plate, padded sun visors became standard and the rear window of Cabriolet's and Speedster's was enlarged. Prior to the introduction of the T-2, 8364 T-1 A's had been completed in Coupe (5782), Cabriolet (892) and Speedster (1690) configurations.