Have found a 1957 356 1500 but can't tell if it's the real deal or just another reproduction, I requested the full vin number and was given FS1543******, is this even the start of a real 356 VIN?

 

Nope.. Real 356 would have a 5 or 6 digit vin.... You can do a VIN lookup to see what type/year of 356 it would be at www.356a.com

 

sometimes people use the engine # for vin, yet "FSxxx" doesn't ring any bells on chassis or engines for a 356. what you really need are pictures for us to look at or better yet, eyes-on by a knowledgable 356 owner. good luck!

 

...... and in 1957 it was a 1600 or 1600S, not a 1500 (althought there may have been some 1500 4 cam Carreras). Maybe the FS stands for "fool someone"?

 

in '57 1300s were made, too.

 

That's right...

1957:
1300
1300S
1600
1600S

and also a 4 cam 1500 cc engine for the Carrera models...