While Porsche is predominantly acclaimed for its iconic 911 series, it was the 356 model that initially elevated the German brand’s global reputation.
The 356 was first manufactured in 1948, with production commencing in Gmünd, Austria. Only a limited run of approximately 50 units was assembled there before the company shifted its manufacturing operations to its present-day location in Stuttgart, Germany. The production cycle continued until 1965, making the 1963 model recently showcased on “Jay Leno’s Garage” among the later iterations. Notably, Porsche had already introduced the 911 model by 1963.
The particular vehicle highlighted is a 356 SC coupe, a more potent variant of the standard 356 available at that time. Equipped with an air-cooled 1.6-liter flat-4 engine, it boasts a power output of approximately 95 horsepower, as opposed to the 75 horsepower found in the base model.
This vintage car has changed owners multiple times, but it has consistently received regular maintenance and has been securely stored in a garage. Its current proprietor was successful in tracing the lineage of the vehicle’s ownership back to the first purchaser, and has kept all related maintenance records. The vehicle has accrued about 69,000 miles and has only had its seats and paint replaced throughout its history. Interestingly, Jay Leno pointed out that the tires on this car are an astonishing 40 years old, an aspect he has encountered before while driving cars with similarly aged tires.
While the 356 holds the distinction of being the first model officially recognized by Porsche, it was not the brand’s inaugural sports car. Ferdinand Porsche, who founded the original Porsche engineering firm in 1931, had earlier dabbled in the sports car arena with the Type 64 model. Between 1939 and 1940, three units of this model were produced.
Formally known as the Type 64 60K10, these vehicles were initially conceived as endurance racers to participate in the 1939 Berlin-Rome race. However, the event was canceled due to the outbreak of World War II. Of these, two were subsequently destroyed soon after production, with the chassis from the first vehicle repurposed for the third one. The remnants of the second vehicle have been restored and are currently on exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The third unit entered private ownership and was listed for sale in 2019 but did not secure a buyer.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about 1963 Porsche 356
What model of Porsche is featured in the article?
The article features the 1963 Porsche 356 SC coupe.
Where was the Porsche 356 initially produced?
The Porsche 356 was initially produced in Gmünd, Austria before moving its production to Stuttgart, Germany.
Until what year was the Porsche 356 produced?
The Porsche 356 was produced until the year 1965.
How does the 356 SC coupe differ from the standard 356 model?
The 356 SC coupe is a more powerful variant of the standard 356. It is equipped with an air-cooled 1.6-liter flat-4 engine that produces approximately 95 horsepower, compared to the 75 horsepower in the standard model.
Who is the current owner of the featured 1963 Porsche 356?
The article does not disclose the identity of the current owner but mentions that the owner has successfully traced the vehicle’s ownership back to the original buyer.
What is unique about the maintenance history of the featured car?
The car has consistently received regular maintenance and has been stored in a garage throughout its history. It has accumulated about 69,000 miles, with only the seats and paint having been replaced.
What was Porsche’s first sports car?
While the 356 is officially recognized as Porsche’s first model, the company’s first foray into sports cars was the Type 64, designed by Ferdinand Porsche.
What happened to the Type 64 cars?
Two of the Type 64 cars were destroyed shortly after they were built. The remnants of one have been restored and are on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The third went into private ownership and was up for sale in 2019 but did not find a buyer.
What is significant about the tires on the featured 1963 Porsche 356?
The tires on the featured car are 40 years old, a detail noted by Jay Leno, who has experience driving cars with similarly aged tires.
Why is the 356 model significant in Porsche’s history?
The 356 model initially elevated Porsche’s global reputation and was the predecessor to the iconic 911 series.
More about 1963 Porsche 356
- Jay Leno’s Garage Official Website
- History of Porsche 356
- Porsche 911: A Legacy
- Petersen Automotive Museum
- Type 64 – The First Porsche
- Automotive Maintenance Records Importance
- Air-Cooled Engines in Classic Cars
- Ferdinand Porsche Biography
- Berlin-Rome Race History
- Automotive Tires and Their Lifespan
8 comments
Did Jay Leno really drive it with 40 year old tires? that’s risky and awesome at the same time!
Great to see the Type 64 mentioned. Often overshadowed by the 356 and 911, but its the OG Porsche sports car. Pity the Berlin-Rome race got cancelled, would’ve loved to see it in action.
Wonder how much that 1963 356 SC would go for today. With its history and condition, gotta be a goldmine for collectors.
Regular maintenance and being garage-kept? That’s the secret sauce to keeping a classic car in top shape. Whoever owns it now is one lucky guy.
Born and raised in Stuttgart, and I had no clue Porsche started out in Austria. Learn something new every day!
Missing the old days when cars were more about the drive and less about the tech. These classics have a soul u just can’t find nowadays.
Wow, never knew the 356 had such a rich history. Always thought the 911 was the all-time classic. This changes my perspective a bit.
the 356 SC with a 95 hp engine? Man, that was something back in the day. Now its all electric and self driving stuff, kinda miss the old school engineering.