Porsche 356 B 1600 Super 90

The vehicle in detail

Chassis No. 158625 – Engine No. 0800969 – Transmission No. 65973

The Porsche 356 was so beloved that when the 911 was introduced in 1965 as a replacement, the Porsche faithful were outraged. “A bloated GT” some said. Others claimed the new 911 was not a real Porsche. Porsche’s clientele in the 1960s were a particular bunch: scientists, engineers, doctors, and workers in traditional professions where constant experimentation leads to progress. The car they all loved—the Porsche 356—through all of its progressions, was engineered and constructed in very much the same manner that they themselves were used to operating.

The 356 B, produced from 1960 through 1963, represents the midpoint of the 356 design’s progression. In what is known as “T5” body style, the B introduced new front and rear sheet-metal, while retaining the curved front trunk lid and rounded fenders of the 356 A series. Mechanically, the transmission and brakes were upgraded, while a new steering wheel and column refreshed the interior, along with redesigned rear seats. The “T6” body style entered production at the end of 1961 with the new-shape nose and squared-off front lid, plus a flat fuel tank in the luggage bay and fuel filler flap on the right, passenger’s-side front fender, making it easier to fill up, as well as a larger twin-grille engine lid. The T6 also has the luxury of variable-speed wipers and a gear lever lock. A “Super” model with raised compression added an extra 15 hp over the standard version, while the even hotter Super 90 fitted with Solex dual throat carburetors added 30 hp—a full 50-percent more power than the base car! The 356 B represented significant advances in drivability and comfort over earlier 356 models and is a pleasingly quick way to enjoy the traditional Porsche values of quality, reliability and mechanical robustness.

According to a digital copy of the original Porsche factory warranty card, or Kardex as it is officially referred to, this charming 356 B Super 90 was built at the Zuffenhausen-based Porsche factory during spring/summer of 1963, and completed on 3 July 1963 in the desirable “T6” Cabriolet configuration. The Reutter-built bodywork was completed as it appears today in its striking and rarely-seen livery of Ivory (Elfenbein 6204) over a well-appointed interior trimmed in Green Leatherette, featuring Corduroy centerpiece inserts adding a very nice contrast. The Porsche was equipped with the highest output pushrod engine available, the 90 horsepower Super 90 engine, which it retains today, along with its matching four-speed transaxle. Factory options included fitment of an antenna, a headrest, green-tinted windscreen and chrome plated ventilated wheels.