In the 50s, Porsche launched a series of sports cars. One among the many was the Porsche 356 Speedster. This was a stripped-down performance package launched between 1954 to 1959. It was another lightweight sports car with sporty features. Here is everything about the 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster.
Boxer Engine
Built around air-cooled flat-4 engines, the vehicle resulted in excellent handling. Though the speed was limited to 104mph, the cornering was great. This model was equipped with 4-speed manual transmission and air-cooled engines. The fuel system was equipped with dual carburetors which enhanced the performance.
Features
Porsche 356 Speedster was a lightweight model built around a steel unibody platform. As it focused on performance, there were minimal interior features like bucket seats, dashboard, curved windshields, and drum brakes. This was built for endurance with great technology. It had basic suspension with torsion bars on both ends. Features like power brakes and power steering were not there.
Success in the US Market
Built in Germany, the Porsche 356 Speedster dominated the USA market. It was manufactured in Stuttgart on the basic Porsche 356 platform. The Porsche 356 Speedster was imported to the USA market. Apart from America, it was available in New Zealand, Italy, and Australia. The car was famous in California. It was loved by Americans more than Europeans. Porsche 356 Speedster was exclusively designed for American buyers as they were more interested in these cars for their sporty features and looks.
Impressive Styling
Though the Porsche 356 Speedster was a sports car, it was designed in a simple way. The main attraction of the model was its windshield which gave the vehicle a sporty look. Flowing fenders, low roofline, short rear deck, and two-gauge instrument cluster completed the styling. It was an open-top vehicle with colors like red, white, and black.
Racing Success
The Porsche 356 Speedster was a racing model. It didn’t compete in NASCAR or Stock Racing. The vehicle was driven in major events like circuit races, SCCA, and hill climb races. Being a lightweight vehicle with less interior features was an advantage for races. The handling and acceleration were great for this model. Porsche 356 Speedster had great control and cornering because of its advanced engineering. This was the reason for its success in local racing events.
Ultra Cheap Model
To everyone’s surprise, the Porsche 356 Speedster was sold at a very cheap price. Before the muscle car era, Porsche’s dominance was great. The reason was the affordable price and performances. This model was sold at an average price of $2,900 USD. Although only around 8k units were manufactured, Porsche found success with this model. It paved the way for the next series like 356A and 356B. The price has increased now as some models are available with collector market owners. Porsche 356 Speedster is now available in collector markets at a huge price. Some models cost over $100k. As these had great tuning potential, the collectors bought them in large numbers.