356A Questions
#1
356A Questions
Hi,
I do not own a Porsche but hope that someone can answer some questions about one that I did own.
In 1966 I bought a 1958 356A coupe (for $400) which I sold three or four years later. I am writing an article about "My First Car" and can't remember a lot of details and can't find much information on the Internet that I trust. Some questions I have are…
1. What was the horsepower of a 1958 356A? It was a standard 1600.
2. Was the battery 6 or 12 volts?
3. Was the battery negative or positive ground?
4. Did the '58 Porsche have a stalk on the steering column to flash the headlights, or am I imagining that?
5. What did a '58 coupe weigh?
6. The car had large finned brake drums. Were they aluminum?
7. A longshot. Does anyone know of of a '58 356A bought in Wheeling, Illinois in 1969 or 1970? I like to think that it has survived. Back then it was grey with a red interior, although originally the exterior was also red.
Thank you in advance if anyone can help.
Andy
I do not own a Porsche but hope that someone can answer some questions about one that I did own.
In 1966 I bought a 1958 356A coupe (for $400) which I sold three or four years later. I am writing an article about "My First Car" and can't remember a lot of details and can't find much information on the Internet that I trust. Some questions I have are…
1. What was the horsepower of a 1958 356A? It was a standard 1600.
2. Was the battery 6 or 12 volts?
3. Was the battery negative or positive ground?
4. Did the '58 Porsche have a stalk on the steering column to flash the headlights, or am I imagining that?
5. What did a '58 coupe weigh?
6. The car had large finned brake drums. Were they aluminum?
7. A longshot. Does anyone know of of a '58 356A bought in Wheeling, Illinois in 1969 or 1970? I like to think that it has survived. Back then it was grey with a red interior, although originally the exterior was also red.
Thank you in advance if anyone can help.
Andy
#2
Miserable Old Bastard
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
1. HP was (I am pretty sure) 60hp.
2. 6 volts.
3. Negative ground.
4. Yes, it had a stalk on the steering wheel column to flash headlights and for turn signals.
5. Weight would have been "around" 2,000 lbs, +- 200.
6. I am almost sure they are aluminum.
7. If you know the VIN number (should be a 5 digit number) you can search on 356a.com to see if it is listed. If you are lucky, a subsequent owner put the info in there.
The 356 Registry also has a database (which may be a tad better), but you have to be a member to access it. (Post the VIN if you have it and I could take a look.)
$400 sounds like a great deal! I almost bought a '61 cab in or about 1966, price would have been $2,400. Didn't, and waited 40 years till I finally got my 356.
2. 6 volts.
3. Negative ground.
4. Yes, it had a stalk on the steering wheel column to flash headlights and for turn signals.
5. Weight would have been "around" 2,000 lbs, +- 200.
6. I am almost sure they are aluminum.
7. If you know the VIN number (should be a 5 digit number) you can search on 356a.com to see if it is listed. If you are lucky, a subsequent owner put the info in there.
The 356 Registry also has a database (which may be a tad better), but you have to be a member to access it. (Post the VIN if you have it and I could take a look.)
$400 sounds like a great deal! I almost bought a '61 cab in or about 1966, price would have been $2,400. Didn't, and waited 40 years till I finally got my 356.
#3
Jim,
Thanks, that information helps. Unfortunately I don't have the VIN number after 45 years
By my very rough calculations $400 in 1966 car dollars is equivalent to about $4000 today (I know that a new basic Ford Mustang cost $2500 in 1966 and about $25,000 today, so I multiplied the $400 by 10). Obviously $4000 for an eight-year-old Porsche today would be a bargain, but in 1966 old Porsche's were just used cars and considered odd rather than exotic. Also, my eight-year-old 1958 Porsche was not in tip-top shape. Everything worked, but the paint was crazed and oxidizing and I discovered after buying it that there were holes rusted in the floor and the spare tire well.
Again, thanks for your help.
Andy
Thanks, that information helps. Unfortunately I don't have the VIN number after 45 years
By my very rough calculations $400 in 1966 car dollars is equivalent to about $4000 today (I know that a new basic Ford Mustang cost $2500 in 1966 and about $25,000 today, so I multiplied the $400 by 10). Obviously $4000 for an eight-year-old Porsche today would be a bargain, but in 1966 old Porsche's were just used cars and considered odd rather than exotic. Also, my eight-year-old 1958 Porsche was not in tip-top shape. Everything worked, but the paint was crazed and oxidizing and I discovered after buying it that there were holes rusted in the floor and the spare tire well.
Again, thanks for your help.
Andy
#4
Miserable Old Bastard
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
My first car was a 59 or 60 Sprite, bought in 65, paid $800. Second car early 66 was an MGB (used), but don't remember the price. Third was a new 66 Buick Gransport, new cost $3,000. Fourth car a new 67 VW Bug, cost $1,700. Your 10x figure is probably a good ballpark (ignoring collector values).
#5
Hi,
I do not own a Porsche but hope that someone can answer some questions about one that I did own.
In 1966 I bought a 1958 356A coupe (for $400) which I sold three or four years later. I am writing an article about "My First Car" and can't remember a lot of details and can't find much information on the Internet that I trust. Some questions I have are…
1. What was the horsepower of a 1958 356A? It was a standard 1600.
2. Was the battery 6 or 12 volts?
3. Was the battery negative or positive ground?
4. Did the '58 Porsche have a stalk on the steering column to flash the headlights, or am I imagining that?
5. What did a '58 coupe weigh?
6. The car had large finned brake drums. Were they aluminum?
7. A longshot. Does anyone know of of a '58 356A bought in Wheeling, Illinois in 1969 or 1970? I like to think that it has survived. Back then it was grey with a red interior, although originally the exterior was also red.
Thank you in advance if anyone can help.
Andy
I do not own a Porsche but hope that someone can answer some questions about one that I did own.
In 1966 I bought a 1958 356A coupe (for $400) which I sold three or four years later. I am writing an article about "My First Car" and can't remember a lot of details and can't find much information on the Internet that I trust. Some questions I have are…
1. What was the horsepower of a 1958 356A? It was a standard 1600.
2. Was the battery 6 or 12 volts?
3. Was the battery negative or positive ground?
4. Did the '58 Porsche have a stalk on the steering column to flash the headlights, or am I imagining that?
5. What did a '58 coupe weigh?
6. The car had large finned brake drums. Were they aluminum?
7. A longshot. Does anyone know of of a '58 356A bought in Wheeling, Illinois in 1969 or 1970? I like to think that it has survived. Back then it was grey with a red interior, although originally the exterior was also red.
Thank you in advance if anyone can help.
Andy
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#8
Hi,
I'm back again with another question. I remember that my 1958 356A Coupe had a lever on the firewall which could turn the gas to ON, OFF or RESERVE, but did the car also have a gas gauge?
I know that older Volkswagens with this switch had no gas gauge, but I can't remember if the Porsche did or not.
Thanks.
Andy
I'm back again with another question. I remember that my 1958 356A Coupe had a lever on the firewall which could turn the gas to ON, OFF or RESERVE, but did the car also have a gas gauge?
I know that older Volkswagens with this switch had no gas gauge, but I can't remember if the Porsche did or not.
Thanks.
Andy