Porsche 356 Speedster

In 1952 Porsche produced a few stripped-out 356 American Roadsters which were mainly for racing, but later in 1954 they resurrected the idea in the lightweight Speedster. In 1956 the car received a bigger engine which made it quite a performance model: indeed, it attracted many serious drivers because it was lighter than the hardtop. It used the same pressed-steel floorpan as the 356 Cabriolet, with the rear-mounted engine and transaxle plus torsion bar front suspension and swing axle rear end. The engine in base form produced 70bhp (52kW) but a 'Super Tune' version was available which took it to 88bhp (66kW), but best of all was the Carrera four-cam engine with twin spark plugs which pushed out 115bhp (86kW). The Speedster windshield was around 3 inches (76mm) shorter to save weight, and there was no side glass, plus a very light folding roof.

Porsche 356 Speedster Specifications