Porsche 356 C

Manufacturer	Porsche
Production	1963 to 1965
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Layout	RR layout
Engine	1.6 L B4, 60-95 PS 1.6 L DOHC-B4, 105-115 PS
Wheelbase	82.7 in (2,100 mm)
Length	152.4–157.9 in (3,870–4,010 mm)
Width	65.4 in (1,660 mm)
Height	48.0–51.8 in (1,220–1,320 mm)
Curb weight	1,700–2,296 lb (770–1,041 kg)
Designer	Erwin Komenda

The Porsche 356 C is the final version of the 356-model built only from 1963 to 1965.

History

The last revision featured disc brakes all round, as well as an option for the most powerful pushrod engine Porsche had ever produced, the 95 hp (71 kW) "SC." 356 production peaked at 14,151 cars in 1964.The 356 C largely corresponds to the last version of the 356 B. Externally, it differs from its predecessor only in modified perforated disc wheels with new hubcaps (without the Porsche crest), which were made necessary by disc brakes on all four wheels. Along with the production of the 356 C and 356 SC, the Porsche 911 started. In 1965, the Porsche 912 with a 911 body, four-cylinder engine and 90 hp (66 kW) replaced the 356 as the cheapest Porsche.

Engine: 4-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled, bore 825 mm, stroke 74 mm., capacity 1,582 c.c., 107 b.h.p. (S.A.E.) at 5,800 r.p.m.,
Compression ratio 9.5:1; overhead valves; twin downdraught Solex carburettors with air cooled silencers mechanical fuel pump Bosch coil ignition 6-volt 84-amp.
battery; Bosch dynamo, constant voltage control.

PERFORMANCE: SC

• Engine capacity: 96.53 cu in, 1,582 cu cm
• Fuel consumption: 33.2 m/imp gal, 27.7 m/US gal, 8.5 1 x 100 km
• Max speed: 114.9 mph, 185 km/h
• max power (SAE): 107 hp at 5,800 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 99 1b ft, 13.7kg m at 4,200 rpm
• max number of engine rpm: 6,000
• specific power: 67.6 hp/l
• power-weight ratio: 19.2 lb/hp, 8.7 kg/hp
• acceleration: 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 7.2 sec
• max speeds: 32 mph, 51.5 km/h in 1st gear; 57.1 mph, 92 km/hin 2nd gear; 88.2 mph, 142 km/h in 3rd gear; 114.9 mph, 185 km/h in 4th gear

Fitted with single dry plate clutch; 4 forward and reverse; all-synchromesh ratios floor-mounted gear change.The chassis and body are an integral welded unit of great stiffness and rigidity; the longitudinal welded box. Section members are cross-braced at front and rear

Ross steering; suspension: front, independent by twin transverse torsion bars of laminated type stabiliser bar, double acting hydraulic telescopic shocks are mounted in a vertical position at front and rear; at the rear a very stiff welded structure carries the engine and gearbox.

Standard equipment includes a heating system washer; variable windscreen wipers; adjustment for seat cigarette lighter; comprehensive range of dash clocks with revolution oil temperature gauge and fuel gauge.

From the outside, the Porsche 356 C can hardly be distinguished from the 356 B T6. The modified wheels with simpler hubcaps, initially without the Porsche crest, are striking. The change in the wheel discs is due to the fact that Porsche now equipped all production vehicles with disc brakes (Ate brakes under Dunlop license). The rear compensating spring was only supplied as an option. A locking differential was also available as an option.

The choice of engines (including Carrera) was reduced to three, which means that the 60 hp version (also called "lady") was eliminated. The body variants offered were a coupe and cabriolet.

Sports versions of the C model 

356 Carrera 2 (coupé and convertible): The Carrera 2 was built almost unchanged with the corresponding C modifications (new: Ate disc brakes, dashboard).

1600 CS For rally or racing use of the 1600 CS, Porsche offered, among other things, a choice of a 70- or 90-Liter tank, intake funnel instead of an air filter, roll bar, underbody protection for the engine and transmission, Plexiglas rear window, bucket seats, 15-inch wheels made of light metal and a compensating spring on the rear axle. Crankcase, cylinder and cylinder head are made of light metal. 

Production of the 356 series ended in April 1965; 76,302 cars in total were built.