Key Specifications

Spec	Value
Production Years	1948-1965
Manufacturer	Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen
Assembly	Gmund, Austria (1948-1951); Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany (1950-1965)
Body Styles	2-door coupe, 2-door cabriolet, 2-door speedster, 2-door roadster
Layout	Rear engine, rear-wheel drive
Construction	Steel unitary (monocoque). Aluminium body on Gmund cars
Wheelbase	2,100 mm
Overall Length	3,950 mm (Pre-A), 4,010 mm (A/B/C)
Overall Width	1,660 mm
Overall Height	1,300 mm (coupe), 1,220 mm (speedster)
Kerb Weight	830-950 kg (coupe), 900-1,010 kg (cabriolet)
Fuel Tank Capacity	52 L
Boot Capacity (front)	Approximately 120 L
Drag Coefficient	0.398 (coupe)

Engine Specifications

Type 369, 1100 (Pre-A, 1948-1954)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Flat-4, OHV, air-cooled
Displacement	1,086 cc
Bore x Stroke	73.5 mm x 64.0 mm
Compression Ratio	7.0:1
Power	29 kW @ 4,000 rpm
Torque	64 Nm @ 2,800 rpm
Fuel System	Single Solex downdraft carburettor
Valvetrain	Central camshaft, pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder

Type 506, 1300 (Pre-A/A, 1951-1957)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Flat-4, OHV, air-cooled
Displacement	1,286 cc
Bore x Stroke	74.5 mm x 74.0 mm
Compression Ratio	7.5:1 (Standard) / 8.2:1 (Super)
Power	32 kW @ 4,200 rpm (Standard) / 44 kW @ 5,500 rpm (Super)
Torque	76 Nm @ 2,800 rpm (Standard) / 88 Nm @ 4,000 rpm (Super)
Fuel System	Twin Solex downdraft carburettors (Super)

Type 616/1, 1600 Normal (A/B/C, 1955-1965)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Flat-4, OHV, air-cooled
Displacement	1,582 cc
Bore x Stroke	82.5 mm x 74.0 mm
Compression Ratio	7.5:1
Power	44 kW @ 4,200 rpm
Torque	110 Nm @ 2,800 rpm
Fuel System	Twin Zenith 32 NDIX carburettors
Valvetrain	Central camshaft, pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder
Oil Capacity	2.5 L

Type 616/2, 1600 Super (A/B, 1955-1963)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Flat-4, OHV, air-cooled
Displacement	1,582 cc
Bore x Stroke	82.5 mm x 74.0 mm
Compression Ratio	8.5:1
Power	55 kW @ 5,500 rpm
Torque	116 Nm @ 3,700 rpm
Fuel System	Twin Solex 40 PII-4 carburettors

Type 616/7, Super 90 (B, 1960-1963)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Flat-4, OHV, air-cooled
Displacement	1,582 cc
Bore x Stroke	82.5 mm x 74.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	66 kW @ 5,500 rpm
Torque	124 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
Fuel System	Twin Solex 40 PII-4 carburettors

Type 616/15, SC (C, 1964-1965)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Flat-4, OHV, air-cooled
Displacement	1,582 cc
Bore x Stroke	82.5 mm x 74.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.5:1
Power	70 kW @ 5,800 rpm
Torque	124 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Fuel System	Twin Solex 40 PII-4 carburettors
Oil Capacity	2.5 L
Recommended Oil	15W-40 or 20W-50 mineral

Type 547, Carrera (A/B, 1955-1963)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Flat-4, DOHC per bank (quad-cam), air-cooled
Displacement	1,498 cc (547/1) / 1,588 cc (692) / 1,966 cc (587)
Bore x Stroke	85.0 mm x 66.0 mm (1500) / 87.5 mm x 66.0 mm (1600) / 92.0 mm x 74.0 mm (2000)
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	74 kW @ 6,500 rpm (1500) / 77 kW @ 6,500 rpm (1600) / 96 kW @ 6,200 rpm (2000)
Torque	118 Nm @ 5,000 rpm (1500) / 122 Nm @ 5,000 rpm (1600) / 167 Nm @ 4,600 rpm (2000)
Fuel System	Twin Solex 40 PII carburettors
Valvetrain	Shaft-driven dual overhead camshafts per bank, roller bearing crankshaft

Transmission

Spec	Value
Type	Rear-mounted transaxle (combined gearbox and differential)
Gears	4-speed manual (all models). Non-synchromesh 1st (Pre-A, early A). Full synchromesh (late A, B, C)
Clutch	Single dry plate, cable-operated

Gear Ratios (356C, Type 741 gearbox)

Gear	Ratio
1st	3.09
2nd	1.76
3rd	1.13
4th	0.815
Reverse	3.56
Final Drive	4.43 (Normal), 4.375 (Super/SC)

Suspension

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, twin trailing arms	Independent, swing axle
Springs	Transverse laminated torsion bars	Transverse torsion bars
Dampers	Telescopic hydraulic	Telescopic hydraulic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes (later models)	No

Brakes

Component	Pre-A/A/B	C
Front	Drum, 280 mm	Disc, ATE, 262 mm
Rear	Drum, 280 mm	Disc, ATE, 285 mm
Actuation	Hydraulic, dual-circuit	Hydraulic, dual-circuit
Handbrake	Mechanical, rear drums	Mechanical, rear discs

Steering

Spec	Value
Type	Worm and roller (VW-derived)
Power Assist	None
Turns Lock-to-Lock	2.7
Turning Circle	10.8 m

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Model	0-100 km/h	Top Speed
1300 Normal	23.0 s	140 km/h
1600 Normal	17.5 s	160 km/h
1600 Super	13.5 s	175 km/h
Super 90	11.5 s	185 km/h
SC (356C)	10.5 s	190 km/h
Carrera 1500	10.0 s	200 km/h
Carrera 2000	8.5 s	210 km/h

Fuel Economy (approximate, mixed driving)

Model	L/100 km
1300 Normal	8.0
1600 Normal	8.5
1600 Super	9.0
Super 90	9.5
SC (356C)	9.5
Carrera	10.5

Tyre Specifications

Application	Size
Standard (Pre-A)	5.00-16 crossply
Standard (A/B/C)	165HR15 radial
Optional (B/C)	185HR15 radial

Wheel Specifications

Spec	Value
Standard	Steel disc, 4.5J x 15 (A/B/C) or 3.25 x 16 (Pre-A)
Optional	Rudge centre-lock wire wheels (Carrera)
Bolt Pattern	5 x 130
Centre Bore	71.6 mm

Electrical

Spec	Value
System Voltage	6V (Pre-A through B T5), 12V (B T6 and C)
Generator	Bosch 6V or 12V DC generator
Battery	6V 66Ah or 12V 36Ah
Headlights	Sealed beam or Bosch H4 (later)

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine oil	3,000-5,000 km
Valve clearance adjustment	5,000-10,000 km
Spark plugs	10,000 km
Carburettor adjustment	10,000 km or as needed
Brake adjustment (drum)	5,000 km
Front wheel bearing repack	20,000 km
Gearbox oil	20,000 km

Body Style Variants

Coupe

Spec	Value
Seats	2+2 (rear seats are vestigial)
Weight	830-950 kg
Roof	Fixed steel

Cabriolet

Spec	Value
Seats	2+2
Weight	900-1,010 kg
Roof	Folding fabric, manual operation

Speedster (1954-1958)

Spec	Value
Seats	2 (lightweight bucket seats)
Weight	790-860 kg
Windscreen	Low-cut, chrome frame
Side windows	Removable side curtains (no wind-up windows)

Roadster (1960-1962)

Spec	Value
Seats	2
Weight	870-920 kg
Windscreen	Full-height, chrome frame
Side windows	Wind-up windows

Production Numbers (Worldwide, Approximate)

Variant	Units
Gmund (aluminium)	52
Pre-A (all body styles)	~7,600
356A (all body styles)	~21,000
356B (all body styles)	~31,000
356C (all body styles)	~16,500
Speedster (all series)	~4,800
Carrera (all series)	~700
Total	~76,000