Porsche 356 Speedster - Purity Law
Summary
In 1954, Porsche presented a new version of the 356, the Speedster, which dispensed with all comfort but was also sportier and cheaper. The target market was the Americans, but in a certain sense Switzerland and Austria were the stirrup holders. And what nobody would have thought possible at the time happened. The Speedster became a success and is now worth several times more than the other 356 versions from back then. This article tells the story of the 356 Speedster, provides driving impressions and shows the various models in many pictures.
This article contains the following chapters
- For the Americans
- Right at the second attempt
- Lighter = faster
- Evolution in line with the other models
- Half-hearted replacement
- The joy of driving
- Becoming a style icon
- Further information
Estimated reading time: 8min
Preview (beginning of the article)
Of course, Ferdinand Porsche and his son Ferry had good ideas, but without enthusiasts from Switzerland and Austria, it would probably not have become the success story we know today. For example, von Senger from Zurich bought the first sports car to bear the Porsche name, and the Swiss also provided the start-up financing for the production of the 356 series model. Another Swiss, Heinrich Sauter, triggered the idea that indirectly led to the Porsche 356 Speedster with the sports version of the 356 built for him. However, it was an Austrian who provided the necessary pressure for innovation. Maximilian Hoffmann was a successful car importer in the USA, had already taught the Mercedes people what the Americans liked to buy and also approached Porsche in the fall of 1950. The Stuttgart-based company was to build a car for the returning GIs - simple, fast and cheap.
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