1952 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500S Cabriolet

1952 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500S Cabriolet Coachwork by Reutter

Although Ferdinand Porsche had established his independent automotive design consultancy in the early 1930s, his name would not appear on a car until 1949. When it did, it graced one of the all-time great sports cars: the Porsche 356. The work of Ferry Porsche, the Type 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father, Ferdinand, and like the immortal 'Beetle' employed a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and all-independent torsion bar suspension.

Having commenced manufacture with a short run of aluminum-bodied cars built at the Gmünd, Austria-based old sawmill, Porsche began volume production of the steel-bodied 356 Coupe at its old base in Stuttgart, at first in premises shared with coachbuilders Reutter and then from 1955 in its original factory at Zuffenhausen. In 1951 a works car finished first in class at the Le Mans 24 Hours, thus beginning the marque's long and illustrious association with Le Sarthe.

Constant development saw the 356's engine progressively enlarged, and in 1952 the original split windscreen was replaced by a one-piece bent screen and a Porsche synchromesh gearbox adopted. 1955 marked the arrival of the revised 356A, the newcomer being readily distinguished by its curved windscreen and 15" - down from 16" - wheels.

These early 'Pre-A' Porsche 356 models are today considered some of the most collectible and rare Porsche cars ever produced and are admired for their pure and clean design.

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