{"product_id":"porsche-356-1","title":"Porsche 356","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePorsche 356: 75th Anniversary\u003c\/i\u003e relates the full story of Porsche’s original sports car from the first Gmund coupe to today’s beloved collector car.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFerdinand Porsche was a brilliant engineer who, prior to World War II, had been involved in a variety of significant automotive engineering developments, including the first hybrid drive vehicles. From the early 1900s, Porsche was developing racing cars, including the Mercedes SSK and the mighty Auto Union Grand Prix. During this period, Porsche also developed the groundbreaking Volkswagen, which would prove critical to his postwar, namesake automobile manufacturer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eTyp 356 was developed by Ferdinand’s son “Ferry” Porsche, and introduced in 1948\u003c\/b\u003e. Though the rear-engine layout was based on the Volkswagen, most similarities ended there. The 356 had a unique chassis, higher-performing engine, and a handsome wind-cheating body. Little known outside Germany initially, by the early 1950s, the 356s were lauded for their \u003cb\u003eexcellent handling, build quality,\u003c\/b\u003e and growing volume of \u003cb\u003ecompetition successes\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePorsche’s 356\u003c\/b\u003e evolved over its 17-year life through \u003cb\u003efour distinct series: pre-A, A, B, and C\u003c\/b\u003e, with coupes, cabriolets, Speedsters, Hardtops, and Roadsters among the many body variations. Equipped with the “Carrera” 4-cam engine, the 356 was a force in sports car racing. Dedicated competition models were developed beginning in 1953, and the Rennsport Spyders dominated road racing, endurance, and hill climb events for over a decade.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe 356 story includes a cast of fascinating characters\u003c\/b\u003e, from those engineers who designed the cars, to race drivers who built the “giant-killer” mystique, to owners like James Dean and Janis Joplin who fell in love with the little bathtub-shaped sports cars. From titled European gentlemen in the 1950s to movie stars like Paul Newman and Steve McQueen in the 1960s, the first Porsches attracted enthusiasts and racers alike. Today, the car has an even wider following among collectors, including Porsche fans like Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno. “356 Fascination” continues with ongoing restoration efforts, vintage racing, and an “Outlaw” movement, all enhanced by large-scale events that celebrate the car’s history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePorsche 356: 75th Anniversary\u003c\/i\u003e tells the in-depth story and is a must-have book for anyone who loves Porsche and sports car history.","brand":"Motorbooks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39753763192903,"sku":"9780760377376","price":54.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/9813\/3831\/files\/9780760377376.jpg?v=1772253941","url":"https:\/\/www.midlifeclassiccars.com\/cs\/products\/porsche-356-1","provider":"MidlifeClassicCars.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}