Porsche 356 B 1600 Roadster

Das Fahrzeug im Detail

Specifications

1,582 cc OHV air-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel independent suspension with parallel trailing arms, transverse torsion bars, a front anti-roll bar, rear swing axles with transverse torsion bars, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 82.7 in.

History

Porsche’s popular 356 Roadster was introduced for the 1960 model year as a replacement of the one-year-only Convertible D, the Speedster’s more civilized successor. The new T-5 Roadster brought several marked changes in appearance: The front fenders and headlamps were raised, as were both the front and rear bumpers, to better deal with urban parking. New vertical bumper guards also helped in that respect. New brake-cooling intakes were added to the nose below the front bumper. There were new cast-aluminum Alfin brake drums with iron liners, and the brakes had improved sealing to repel water.

The new Roadster shared many of the comfort attributes of the Convertible D, including roll-up windows, comfortable seats, and a well-constructed convertible top with a tan-painted frame and wraparound plastic rear window. For those with competition in mind, the windshield could be removed, and roadsters, like the Speedster and Convertible D, soon became popular in amateur sports car racing around the world.