My 10 Favorite Cars #6: Porsche 356

Specifically, I prefer the 356A 1600 Super Sunroof Coupe, but that's not to say that I don't appreciate all 356's.   I'm sure this car may look familiar, as the modern 911 is just a continued evolution of this proto-production Porsche.  The shape is so alluring and unique, Porsche designers (who have the easiest jobs in the design world) have seen fit to pretty much leave the basics alone, even if the engine is in the wrong place (behind the rear axle). 

A 356 could be had with anywhere from 40hp up to about 127hp depending on year and model.  Obviously, a car that is relatively quick and sporting with 40hp becomes an absolute blast when you triple that number with only very minor weight gain.  Those more powerful engines are quad-cam Carrera's, a name taken from the Carrera Panamericana, a famous road-rally in Italy in which these early Porsche's competed very, very well.  They became well known as tough, reliable, and fast cars. 

A Porsche hallmark from the beginning, these cars are exquisitely built and thoroughly engineered in the German tradition.  The cars were based on VW Beetle mechanicals initially, but as the engineers refined and improved the cars throughout it's run, fewer and fewer parts were shared.  I have no source for this, but I once read that out of all production 356's, almost half still exist.   That's pretty high for a 60+ year old car, and is a testament to both their durability and their owners' love for their cars.   

Unfortunately for me, the collectors market for these cars is steadily increasing their values.  I did purchase a 356C when I was 14 years old.  It was bright red, had perfect chrome, and a tan interior.  And it was 1/18 scale.  And didn't run.  But that 356 still sits proudly displayed on my desk at work 15 years later, and I still take the time to clean it and keep it nice.  Just like the owners of the real thing, apparently.