1,596cc OHV Flat 4-Cylinder Engine
Twin Solex 40P11-4 Carburetors
90bhp at 5,500rpm
4-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Dual Circuit Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Topless Teutonic Thrills
*Eligible for many tours and events
*Powered by the top-of-the-line Super 90 motor
*Documented by a copy of its Kardex

THE PORSCHE 356

Porsche's Type 356, introduced in 1948, is acknowledged to be one of the world's great sports cars. Over a 15-year production run, the handsome and durable 356 evolved from a streamlined little aluminum-bodied coupe powered by a VW-derived, 46bhp 1100cc air-cooled flat four to a powerful autobahn burner carrying a complex, two-liter four-cam boxer Carrera engine, producing 130bhp. The cars steady development brought not only coupes, but introduced luxurious cabriolets, speedsters, and roadsters. In all there were more than 76,000 examples built by the time production ceased in 1965.

The 356B, produced from 1960 through 1963, represents the mid-point in this design's progression. In what is known as "T5" form, the B introduced new front and rear sheet-metal, while retaining the curved front trunk lid and rounded fenders of the 356A series. The B also added some features demanded by American customers, such as raised front and rear bumpers with over-riders to better protect the body from parking mishaps. The headlamps were raised, a larger hood handle added, and front vent windows appeared in the doors. Mechanically, the gearbox and drum brakes were upgraded. A new steering wheel and column refreshed the interior, along with redesigned rear seats. A "Super" model with raised compression added an extra 15bhp over the standard version, while the even hotter Super 90 added 30bhp – a full 50% more power than the base car.

The 356 made its final transformation with the Type 6 body in 1963. Designated 356C, it had a new ZF steering gear and added compensating springs at the rear, the latter calming the swing axle suspension. Four-wheel disc brakes were also part of the revision, and a 12-volt electrical system became available. Two 1,600 cc engines were offered, the "C" version with 75DIN (European horsepower, rated 88 by SAE), and the "SC" with higher compression and counterweighted crankshaft making 95DIN (107 SAE).

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This Porsche Super 90 Cabriolet, one of about 700 built, was completed at the factory on August 2, 1962. Originally finished in Ivory over Black leather, it was optioned with foglights, chrome-plated wheels, Roadmaster horns, and a tonneau in addition to the top. It was delivered new through Otto Gloeckler's agency to Walter Hennicke of Bad Soden outside of Frankfurt on the 8th of August, 1962. The Kardex further lists the car returned for service a few times with the last record dated April 19, 1962 with 15,800km on the odometer.

Today the car is trimmed in black over a deep burgundy interior. The present owner has had the car in his Florida collection for the better part of eight years. Appearing to be a well-kept, it was been the recipient of a lacquer repaint and retrim at least a decade ago, although the paint under the front hood and around the build tag appear to be original and untouched. Mechanically, the well detailed Super 90 motor is not the one with which the car was born—it actually predates the car by about 12-18 months, but provides the requisite 90 ponies nonetheless. Additionally, the original metric speedometer has since been replaced with one in miles-per-hour.

Refreshed shortly after acquisition in 2012, the engine and gearbox are reported by the seller to have been properly sorted by Marty Gilbert of Pompano Beach, Florida with the seller reporting some $25,000 in service and restoration service being completed from 2012 to 2018. Briefly heading north before heading back to the Sunshine State, the most recent receipts on file from May 2019 indicate over CA$6,600 worth of maintenance.

A popular car for tours such as the Copperstate, Going to the Sun, and New England 1000, this Super 90 Cabriolet is sure to provide plenty of top down fun and smiles.