The Porsche 356 is Porsche’s first production model. It was based on the “Porsche No. 1” initiated by Ferry Porsche in 1948, a two-seater mid-engine roadster with a tubular frame and a 1.1-liter VW engine increased to 26 kW (35 hp) (power rating according to “individual approval” from the Carinthian state government of June 8, 1948). The Porsche 356 went into series production with a modified frame and a rear engine instead of the original mid-engine concept. The first 50 cars with aluminum bodies were built by hand in Gmünd in Carinthia, where Porsche had relocated toward the end of World War II.

In 1950, Porsche moved back to Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Production began on premises belonging to Karosseriewerke Reutter, which had already received an order to produce 500 steel bodies at the end of 1949. The design came from Erwin Komenda, who had already designed the body of the VW Beetle. The first Porsche 356s incorporated many standard VW parts, such as the transmission, brakes, and the performance-enhanced 4-cylinder boxer engine, now producing 29 kW (40 hp). In 1950, a 1.3-liter engine and duplex brakes at the front were added.

During its production period, Porsche continued to improve the Type 356, but retained typical features such as the front crank axle patented for Porsche and known from the VW Beetle, as well as the rear swing axle with torsion bar springs guided by longitudinal shear struts. Although the engines were always based on the VW original, they were continuously developed further.

The Porsche 356 B is the successor model to the 356 A and was produced as a coupe, cabriolet hardtop and as a roadster. From 1960, the Porsche 356 B Hardtop with permanently welded roof was also produced. It resembles the Cabriolet hardtop, but has more concise features in its design. It features a stepped roofline and narrow B pillars, and the rear window is also larger than on the other models. Unlike the A-series, the B-series differs in that the headlights are mounted higher. This makes the front look more pointed, which reduces the resemblance to the VW Beetle. In addition, the hubcaps on this version are embossed by the Porsche Crest. In addition to the various versions of the Porsche 356 B, there are also sports variants. For example, the 356 1600 GS Carrera GT or the 356 Carrera GTL-Abarth, both of which were only available as coupes. The Carrera GTL-Abarth was available with 115hp as standard, though Porsche also offered two even more powerful variants with 128hp and 135hp. In these two variants, the weight could be reduced by another 20 kg by making savings on the interior, so that the speed could be increased up to 230 km/h. Furthermore, the 356 2000 GS Carrera 2 was produced as a coupe and convertible. This was the top model of the B series. The engine power was increased up to 155 hp. Also, this is the first model with disc brakes, which were specially developed by Porsche and the most expensive model of Porsche until then. The last sports version is the Porsche 356 B 2000 GS-GT. However, this variant was used only in sports races.

As with its predecessors, the Porsche 356 B has four different engine variants. One is the 356 B 1600, which can reach a top speed of 160 km/h with 60 hp, and the 356 B 1600 S, which is the sports variant of the 1600 and is a bit more powerful with 75 hp and a maximum speed of 175 km/h. On the other hand, there is the 356 B 1600 S-90, which can reach 180 km/h with 90 hp. All three have the same displacement and central camshafts. The last engine variant was the Porsche 356 B 2000 GS. Here the displacement is larger and also the weight of the body, which in all four variants consists of a box frame and sheet steel, is significantly higher. Due to the high power output of 130 hp and the modified valve timing (king shafts), the Porsche 356 B 2000 GS nevertheless manages to reach up to 200 km/h