Going out with a bang.
Before Porsches original sportscar was laid to rest, it received a final round of major changes in the summer of 1961. Announced as "the Roadstar’ of the Zutfenhausen pioduction" in September of 1961, the new 356 series entered production in April 1962. Named Carrera 2 in recognition of its 2.O liter engrie. the factory's intial goal was to builf 100. However. this model proved very populal and final production numbers stand at 436. The output horn the new and more potent 4-cam powerplant was very impressrve. The report from Road and Track read, "when it is time for second gear, down comes the stick in a flick, more acceleration, and other cars pass by as if in reverse. The car’s acceleration is truly exhitarating."
While the bigger engine produced a thrill, the extra weight overpowered the braking system. By the 1950's disc brakes were widely used in racing and sportscars, except by
Porsche. Their light cars were equipped with light effective drum brakes. Not statisfied with the available disc brakes, which were heavy and didn't work well with the
porsche wheel design,
Porsche decided to make their own. The engineers were highly successful in their quest for light disc brakes. The final product weighed just two-thirds of a pound more than a
Porsche drum brake. Designed for the 356, these stoppers were so effective that
Porsche used them on all their racing cars from 1962 to 1964.
After its service as a rally racer, this 356 was acquired by Peter Dunkle approximately 15 year ago. When te car arrived it needed new paint and chrome, and not much else. According to Mr Dunkle, "It was a good solid car". Unique in
Porsche history this vehicle is also unique in California. It bears one of the most sought after vanity plates in the state. Even though the car is not normally driven on the street, Peter is willing to pay the tag fee in order to hang on to that plate. It's the one that reads "
Porsche".
Images were reprinted with permissions from original author Ken Leonard! Content was written by Saulius Narunas for www.sport-cars.org only and you MAY NOT copy, distribute or use this page's content for any commercial or non-commerical purpose without written permission of this site owner and photos authors!
January 4, 2010, 9:54 am
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