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Úvod »Automobily osobní a dodávky»MG » Porsche 356 1952-1965
There is a saying that goes something like from small acorns mighty oaks will grow. In many ways it could well have been coined for the Porsche 356 as it was from this small rear-engined coupe that today's mighty empire has been built. Based on the ubiquitous Volkswagen Beetle floorpan, which was a Porsche design anyway, and powered by a mildly modified VW air-cooled four-cylinder horizontally opposed (boxer) engine, the 356 became something of a giant-killer on the racetracks of post-war Europe. By the early 50s it was invincible in its class. Success on the racetrack soon led to commercial success as entrepreneurs from all over Europe, England and North America wanted to take on the Porsche franchise. Although the numbers sold were small—in many instances the Porsche 356 was only one of several different makes of car on the same showroom floor—the prestige gained by winning on the track elevated the Stuttgart-based manufacturer to a much higher status than its less than exotic specifications would have suggested. Soon, however, the engineers at Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen began to refine their little coupé by introducing a new family of more powerful engines, improved gearboxes with the famous Porsche synchromesh system, the brakes were improved as a direct result of the competition program and the suspension was recalibrated in an effort to minimise the effects of having the engine overhung at the rear. The range on offer during the 356 years was surprisingly diverse, beginning with the 1.1-litre originals in coupé and cabriolet form through 1.3 to 1.6-litre boxer engines right up to the very expensive, very rare and so very collectible Carrera editions that were extremely rapid (120+ mph!) for their time. Owning a Porsche 356 was not an experience for those who worried about costs. They were expensive to buy when new and that has not changed. So desired are they today that genuine examples will be a financial challenge to most restorers. Perhaps that explains why there is a burgeoning industry world-wide building replicas. There is, however, nothing quite like the original no matter what the cost! A portfolio of contemporary articles leads us through the development of the Porsche 356. Included are road & comparison tests plus advice is also given on acquiring a pre-owned example. Models covered: A, B, C, S, SC, SS, GS, 1500, 1600, 2L, Carrera, Super, 75 & 90. 208 pages with 32 pages in colour.