{"id":7183,"date":"2023-11-27T22:31:56","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T22:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/?p=7183"},"modified":"2025-06-18T09:50:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T08:50:49","slug":"thats-all-volks-a-different-porsche-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/thats-all-volks-a-different-porsche-story\/","title":{"rendered":"A different Porsche story…"},"content":{"rendered":"

Different, how? Is there no Porsche in it? Well, of course there is. We\u2019re Design911 and we only do Porsche. But this isn\u2019t the usual \u2018man finds car, buys car, drives car\u2019 narrative. In this story, our hero wasn\u2019t looking for a Porsche at all…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

When you think Porsche, the 356A isn\u2019t likely to be the first image in your mind. It\u2019s almost certainly an older incarnation of the 911, or maybe a sparkling new Cayenne, depending on what sort of Porsche person you are. And there\u2019s nothing wrong with that.<\/p>\n

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They\u2019re fine cars. But with Porsche currently responsible for 95 different variants of the six current models \u2013 the 911, 718, Cayenne, Panamera, Macan and Taycan \u2013 and with each of those available as a Turbo, Targa or Carrera, it\u2019s not as though there are only two to choose from. And sometimes Porsche fans go right off the beaten track.<\/p>\n

Take the 356 A, which, with owner Pj are the heroes of this story<\/a>. Produced in Austria from 1948\u20131949, and Germany from 1950 until 1965, the 356 was Porsche’s first production car. The Austrian birthplace, more recently called Porsche Holding Salzburg<\/a>, also produced another motoring icon, the Volkswagen Beetle. And that\u2019s where this tale begins.<\/p>\n

Are you sitting comfortably? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Back in 2008, our story\u2019s hero, Pj, was scrolling through a VW forum, and perusing \u2018barn find\u2019 cars. He spotted a car he didn\u2019t recognise but \u201clooked similar to a Volkswagen\u201d. A little research revealed that mystery car to be a 356 and from that point on, his quest to find a 356 of his very own began.<\/p>\n

As Pj acknowledges, owning this Porsche is \u201ca little different\u201d. It doesn\u2019t, he is quick to admit, \u201chave the same following as the 911. It\u2019s a little bit quirky, an outsider. There is no logical reason to buy a 356\u201d. Yet here we are. So, why choose niche over nice?<\/p>\n

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A tale (at least) two cities.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Well, for a start, Pj\u2019s 356 has a storied history. Originally imported into the US \u2013 it has specs that align with that market \u2013 this 356 rolled off the production line on September 11, 1957. It made its way to California, then Carolina and \u2013 somehow \u2013 on to Dover in the UK where Pj found it. And he wasn\u2019t about to leave the viewing without it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went along to view the car to learn something, it\u2019s all about the experience. But when he opened the warehouse and I saw it sat there, I found it very difficult to walk away. It had everything I look for in a car. It had character, and that\u2019s something that comes with the vehicle. You can\u2019t just create it. I love a car that\u2019s honest and shows its scars.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Fifties revival…<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cSince then, the engine\u2019s been completely rebuilt and tuned up. It has a new gearbox and running gear. It\u2019s now on disc brakes and has a new steering box. It\u2019s had electrical work and there\u2019s very little left that\u2019s completely original. The exception is the paintwork.\u201d<\/p>\n

As our video shows<\/a>, Pj\u2019s never happier than rocking around the country lanes, puddles and all, enjoying his ride. What\u2019s your advice to anyone thinking of getting a 356, Pj? \u201cI\u2019d say don\u2019t listen to people who say you won\u2019t enjoy it. I had plenty of voices telling me that it\u2019s not as much fun as a 911 or wouldn\u2019t drive as well as my old 912. But with a bit of work this car is probably my favourite drive of all time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The joy of 356<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Owning this car is an absolute joy. I\u2019ve made loads of friends, some on the other side of the world through owning the 356. I love every ding and dent on this thing, and the fact that I don\u2019t have to worry about that. I have two young kids and I don\u2019t worry about them climbing on it. One day this car will be theirs and I want them to have happy memories of the car, not me shouting at them to get off it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe people who share my passion for old vehicles, Volkswagens or Porsches, it\u2019s a wonderful community.\u201d It sure is \u2013 welcome to it. And there\u2019s always room for more.<\/p>\n

Watch the full feature here –<\/p>\n