I found this Porsche 356 on the streets of Bergamo. Just casually sitting there. I could have included the images in the previous post about my vacation Roll of film 004 – Livigno, Bergamo and mountains 2021 but I just find this thing so beautiful and special that it warranted its own little post.
The fun thing is that my first job as a very young guy/kid was actually fabricating metal parts for Porsche 356’s. It was not like I fabricated whole doors, bonnets or anything like that. But we did press the aluminium frames for the seats for instance.
It was this small workshop in a town close to where I grew up. Owned and driven by this older gentleman who had a few younger helpers hired – myself included. So Porsche 356 has always had a special place in my heart!
There is no denying the pedigree in these. There are lines that are clearly Porsche and later 911. But there is also no denying that there is inspiration from the VW beetle although owners of these precious, special and rare vehicles might not like that comparison.
The Porsche 356 was actually designed by Ferdinand Porsche’s son. It was Porsche’s first production vehicle. And to people who know the history there is good reason as to why it might look a bit like the VW beetle as that was design by Ferdinand Porsche Sr.
If you are curious I can recommend reading the wikipedia page as that is actually very well written and detailed about this model: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_356
But just like the VW beetle this is a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive car with a 4 cylinder boxer engine. And although I actually really like the look and design of the older beetles, there is no real comparison in the overall aesthetic. The Porsche 356 is just so pleasing, classic and well proportioned from every angle.
Seen from the front you can wonder whether the headlights are the exact same as the aforementioned VW beetle. But the front of the 356 does pull them off even better.
I had to look up the original colors of the 356 to see whether this was actually an original color of it. But as far as I could find I do not think it is. But what a gem. The guy who specced this sure needs some praise. I am sure even Ferdinand Porsche would approve!
I also thought that the painting of part of the bumper was a touch left by the artist who painted it. But that is not the case. They come like that from the factory.
Finally the interior. Just look at it. It is a symphony of expensive vintage watches beautifully sculpted into the exquisite bodywork of the 356’s interior. I know that this one also sports a few after-market stopwatches, but the statement still stands. The stopwatches also points to the fact that this car is probably used for classic time-trial rallies. Or at least styled to look that way.
I must say of all images it is this last one of the interior that I love the most. That is a good candidate for printing and hanging on the wall.
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