The original price in 1948 for the 356 coupé was US$3,750, while the cabriolet cost US$4,250. The first 356 was road certified in Austria on June 8, 1948, and won its class in a race in Innsbruck. Early 356s sold primarily in Austria and Germany. It took Porsche two years to manufacture the first 50 automobiles. By the early 1950s, the 356 had gained renown among enthusiasts for its aerodynamics, handling, and build quality.
Ferry Porsche described the thinking behind the development of the 356 in an interview with the editor of “Panorama”, stating “…I had always driven very speedy cars. I had an Alfa Romeo, also a BMW, and others. ….By the end of the war, I had a Volkswagen Cabriolet with a supercharged engine, and that was the basic idea.” Volkswagen and Porsche shared fewer parts as the 1950s progressed. Porsche contracted Reutter to build the steel bodies and eventually bought the Reutter company in 1963.
The 356 was built in four distinct series: the original (“pre-A”), followed by the 356 A, 356 B, and finally the 356 C. The 356 coupés and cabriolets built through 1955 are identifiable by their split (1948 to 1952) or bent (centre-creased, 1953 to 1955) windscreens. In late 1955, the 356 A appeared, with a curved windshield, and was the first road-going Porsche to offer the Carrera four-cam engine as an option. The T5 356 B appeared in late 1959, followed by the redesigned T6 series 356 B in 1962. The final version, the 356 C, featured disc brakes replacing the drums.
In 1964, Porsche developed a higher-revving version of the 356’s four-cylinder pushrod engine for installation in the new 912 model. Although the 912 used numerous 356 components, Porsche did not intend for it to replace the 356. When the decision was made to replace the 356, the 901 (later 911) was designed to carry the Porsche name forward.
The 356 was available in various body styles, including coupé, roadster, convertible, cabriolet, and a rare split-roof. A unique "Karmann hardtop" or "notchback" 356 B model was produced in 1961 and 1962, essentially a cabriolet-style body with a permanent metal roof. The Speedster, introduced in late 1954, was a low-cost, spartan open-top version that became popular, especially in Southern California, with a total of 4,854 built. The 356’s air-cooled pushrod OHV flat-four engine was originally designed around the engine case from the Volkswagen Beetle, adding new cylinder heads and other components.
The 356 remains a highly regarded collector car. In 2015, a daily driver owned by Janis Joplin was sold in New York by RM Sotheby's for $1,760,000.
The Porsche 356 enjoyed success in rallying and car racing events. In 1951, Porsche fielded the 356 SL “Gmünd-Coupe” at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning its class with Auguste Veuillet and Edmond Mouche finishing 20th overall. Several 356s were stripped down and modified for better performance and handling in races, including the Porsche 356 SL and the Porsche 356 A Carrera GT. In the early 1960s, Porsche collaborated with Abarth to build the Porsche 356 B Carrera GTL Abarth coupé, which also enjoyed success in motorsports.