Porsche 356

Specs at a glance: 14 versions, same name twice

The catalogue lists 14 modifications. Nine of them are named 1.6 MT. Two are named 1.5 MT. Distinguish them by generation and by hp, or a search for “Porsche 356 1.6 MT” will mix 60 hp and 105 hp as if they were the same car.

The catalogue lists 14 modifications. Nine of them are named 1.6 MT. Two are named 1.5 MT. Distinguish them by generation and by hp, or a search for “Porsche 356 1.6 MT” will mix 60 hp and 105 hp as if they were the same car.

Engine: horsepower, litres and what the extra output actually is

Every engine is Gasoline, 4 cylinders, Opposite, 2 valves per cylinder, Carburetor, boost No. Displacement is the first filter.

1.6-litre cluster (1582 cc, bore × stroke 82.5 × 74 mm). This block appears in 2, 3 and 4 generation. Same 1582 cc, three compression ratios:

• 7.5:1 → 1.6 MT 60 hp (44 kW) at 4500 rpm, 110 Nm at 2800 rpm. Specific output 60 / 1.582 ≈ 37.9 hp per litre. Present in 2 generation and 3 generation.
• 8.5:1 → 1.6 MT 75 hp (55 kW) at 5000 rpm, 117 Nm at 3700 rpm. ≈ 47.4 hp per litre. Present in 2, 3 and 4 generation. Versus the 60 hp tune: +15 hp (+25%) and +7 Nm, peak power 500 rpm higher, peak torque 900 rpm higher.
• 9:1 → 1.6 MT 90 hp (66 kW) at 5500 rpm, 121 Nm at 4300 rpm, 3 generation only. ≈ 56.9 hp per litre. Versus 75 hp: +15 hp (+20%) and +4 Nm.
• 9.5:1 → 1.6 MT 95 hp (70 kW) at 5800 rpm, 124 Nm at 4200 rpm, 4 generation only. ≈ 60.1 hp per litre. Versus the same-generation 75 hp: +20 hp (+27%) and +7 Nm. Versus 3 generation 90 hp: +5 hp and +3 Nm on the same 1582 cc.

A second 1.6-class engine is not 1582 cc: 2 generation 1.6 MT 105 hp uses 1587 cc, 87.5 × 66 mm, compression 9.5:1, 105 hp (77 kW) at 6500 rpm, 121 Nm at 5000 rpm. Specific output 105 / 1.587 ≈ 66.2 hp per litre — the highest 1.6-class density in the file, and +10 hp over 4 generation’s 95 hp 1.6 MT despite only +5 cc.

2.0 MT, 3 generation only. 1966 cc, 92 × 74 mm, 9.2:1, 130 hp (96 kW) at 6200 rpm, 162 Nm at 4600 rpm. Versus any 1582 cc 1.6 MT this is +384 cc. Versus the 90 hp 1.6 MT in the same generation: +40 hp (+44%) and +41 Nm (+34%). Specific output 130 / 1.966 ≈ 66.1 hp per litre, matching the 105 hp 1587 cc car to one decimal, not the lazy 1582 cc 60 hp tune.

1.5-litre cluster. 1 generation 1.5 MT 55 hp and 1.5 MT 70 hp share 1488 cc and 80 × 74 mm. The 70 hp car raises compression from 6.8 to 8.2 and adds +15 hp (+27%) and +2 Nm. 2 generation 1.5 MT 100 hp is a different 1498 cc (85 × 66 mm), 9.1 not listed — compression is 9 — 100 hp at 6200 rpm, 119 Nm at 5200 rpm. Versus 1 generation 70 hp 1.5 MT: +10 cc, +30 hp (+43%), +11 Nm. Specific output 100 / 1.498 ≈ 66.8 hp per litre, the densest engine in the catalogue.

1 generation starters. 1.1 MT: 1086 cc, 40 hp, 70 Nm, 7.0:1, 73.5 × 64 mm, ≈ 36.8 hp/L. 1.3 MT: 1286 cc, 44 hp, 81 Nm, 6.5:1 (lowest compression in the file), 80 × 64 mm, ≈ 34.2 hp/L — more litres than 1.1 MT but only +4 hp. Stepping 1.1 MT → 1.3 MT → 1.5 MT 55 hp is +200 cc then +202 cc, and +4 hp then +11 hp. The 70 hp 1.5 MT is the only 1 generation tune that reaches the 47 hp/L band of the later 75 hp 1.6 MT.

Peak torque rpm tells you how the extra horsepower is made. The 60 hp 1.6 MT peaks torque at 2800 rpm. The 75 hp tune at 3700. The 90 hp at 4300. The 95 hp at 4200. The 105 hp at 5000. The 100 hp 1.5 MT at 5200. The 2.0 MT at 4600. Buying more hp on a 356 is buying a peak that moves up the rev range, not a fatter low-rpm figure except on 2.0 MT (162 Nm versus 110–124 Nm on the 1582 cc cars).

Performance and economy: what is measured, what is not

0–100 km/h is measured on one car: 4 generation 1.6 MT 75 hp, 13.5 s. Every other 0–100 figure is not measured. You cannot rank the 95 hp, 105 hp or 130 hp cars on sprint from this file.

Top speed is measured on eight cars and not measured on six (both 1 generation 1.5 MT cars, 1.1 MT, 1.3 MT, 3 generation 1.6 MT 75 hp, and 2.0 MT). Ranked among those with a number:

• 201 km/h: 2 generation 1.5 MT 100 hp and 2 generation 1.6 MT 105 hp (tied; lightest generation at 820 kg).
• 185 km/h: 4 generation 1.6 MT 95 hp.
• 180 km/h: 3 generation 1.6 MT 90 hp.
• 175 km/h: 2 generation 1.6 MT 75 hp.
• 172 km/h: 4 generation 1.6 MT 75 hp — 3 km/h slower than the same 75 hp / 117 Nm tune in 2 generation, on a car 114 kg heavier (934 vs 820).
• 160 km/h: 2 generation 1.6 MT 60 hp.
• 155 km/h: 3 generation 1.6 MT 60 hp — 5 km/h slower than the same 60 hp tune in 2 generation, on a car 80 kg heavier (900 vs 820).

The 46 km/h gap from 3 generation 60 hp 1.6 MT (155) to 2 generation 105 hp 1.6 MT (201) is the full measured speed spread.

City, highway and combined consumption: not measured on all 14 versions. mpg cannot decide the buy. CO2: not measured. Eco class: not measured.

Weight per horsepower, where kerb is measured:

• 2.0 MT 3 generation: 900 / 130 ≈ 6.9 kg/hp (best).
• 1.6 MT 105 hp 2 generation: 820 / 105 ≈ 7.8 kg/hp.
• 1.5 MT 100 hp 2 generation: 820 / 100 = 8.2 kg/hp.
• 1.6 MT 95 hp 4 generation: 934 / 95 ≈ 9.8 kg/hp.
• 1.6 MT 90 hp 3 generation: 900 / 90 = 10.0 kg/hp.
• 1.6 MT 75 hp 2 generation: 820 / 75 ≈ 10.9 kg/hp.
• 1.6 MT 75 hp 3 generation: 900 / 75 = 12.0 kg/hp.
• 1.6 MT 75 hp 4 generation: 934 / 75 ≈ 12.5 kg/hp.
• 1.6 MT 60 hp 2 generation: 820 / 60 ≈ 13.7 kg/hp.
• 1.6 MT 60 hp 3 generation: 900 / 60 = 15.0 kg/hp (worst among weighed cars).

1 generation kerb is not measured, so kg/hp for 1.1 MT, 1.3 MT and both 1.5 MT cars is not measured.

Dimensions and weight: the generation tax

Body is Cabrio on every generation. Wheel size is not measured on every version.

Kerb weight is the main chassis number that changes:

• 2 generation: 820 kg on all four versions.
• 3 generation: 900 kg on all four versions — +80 kg (+9.8%) versus 2 generation.
• 4 generation: 934 kg on both versions — +34 kg versus 3 generation, +114 kg (+13.9%) versus 2 generation.
• 1 generation: kerb not measured. Gross weight: not measured on all 14.

Ground clearance: 152 mm in 1, 2 and 3 generation; 150 mm in 4 generation (−2 mm).

Tank: 52 L in 1, 2 and 3 generation; 50 L in 4 generation (−2 L).

Suspension. 1, 3 and 4 generation: Independent, torsion front and Independent, torsion rear. 2 generation is the exception: Independent, spring front, Independent, torsion rear — the only generation with a different front listing.

Brakes. 1–3 generation: Drum front and Drum rear. 4 generation: Disc front and Disc rear. That is the hardware step 4 generation buys on top of the 934 kg kerb.

Reliability, problems, what actually differs

The file does not list failure rates, rebuild intervals or engine-number decoding. What it does list is compression, peak rpm and kerb — the arithmetic of how hard each tune is run.

The 60 hp 1.6 MT (7.5:1, 4500 rpm, 110 Nm at 2800 rpm) is the least stressed 1582 cc tune. The 105 hp 1.6 MT (9.5:1, 6500 rpm) and the 100 hp 1.5 MT (6200 rpm) are the highest peak-rpm cars. 2.0 MT is the largest bore (92 mm versus 82.5 mm on 1582 cc) and the highest torque (162 Nm). 4 generation is the only Disc-brake generation; 1–3 generation are Drum. 4 generation is also the heaviest. None of that is a reliability score; it is the measured difference.

Engine position is not measured. Fuel type beyond Gasoline is not measured. There is no separate Speedster row in this catalogue: every generation is listed as Cabrio.

Which version to choose

Buy 4 generation 1.6 MT 95 hp if the requirement is Disc brakes plus the strongest late 1582 cc tune. You get 95 hp, 124 Nm, 185 km/h, 9.5:1, 934 kg. Versus the same-generation 75 hp 1.6 MT you pay no extra displacement and no extra kilograms: same 1582 cc, same 934 kg, same 50 L tank, same 150 mm clearance, same Disc / Disc. The increment is +20 hp, +7 Nm, +13 km/h (185 vs 172). 0–100 for the 95 hp car is not measured; the 75 hp car’s 13.5 s is the only sprint in the file.

Buy 4 generation 1.6 MT 75 hp if you want Disc brakes and the only measured 0–100 (13.5 s). Versus 3 generation 75 hp 1.6 MT the engine figures match (75 hp, 55 kW, 117 Nm, 8.5:1, 1582 cc) but you add +34 kg, lose 2 L of tank and 2 mm of clearance, and swap Drum for Disc. Top speed of the 3 generation 75 hp car is not measured, so you cannot claim a speed gain from the later chassis.

Buy 3 generation 2.0 MT if the requirement is maximum power and torque in this catalogue. 130 hp, 162 Nm, 1966 cc, 6.9 kg/hp at 900 kg. Versus 3 generation 90 hp 1.6 MT: +40 hp, +41 Nm, +384 cc, same 900 kg, same Drum brakes, same 52 L tank. Top speed and 0–100 of 2.0 MT are not measured; you are buying the power sheet, not a proven 201 km/h.

Buy 3 generation 1.6 MT 90 hp if you want the strongest 1582 cc car on the 900 kg chassis without stepping to 1966 cc. 180 km/h is measured. Versus 4 generation 95 hp 1.6 MT you give up 5 hp, 3 Nm and Disc brakes, but you are 34 kg lighter and 5 km/h slower on paper (180 vs 185). Versus 3 generation 75 hp 1.6 MT: +15 hp, +4 Nm, same 900 kg.

Buy 2 generation 1.6 MT 105 hp or 1.5 MT 100 hp if the requirement is the lowest kg/hp and the highest measured top speed. Both are 820 kg and both are listed at 201 km/h. The 105 hp car: 7.8 kg/hp, 1587 cc, 6500 rpm. The 100 hp 1.5 MT: 8.2 kg/hp, 1498 cc, 66.8 hp/L. Both use Drum brakes and Independent, spring front. Versus 4 generation 95 hp 1.6 MT they are 114 kg lighter and 16 km/h faster on the sheet, without Disc brakes.

Buy 2 generation 1.6 MT 75 hp if you want the 75 hp / 117 Nm tune at the lightest kerb that tune ever had. 820 kg, 175 km/h, 10.9 kg/hp. Same engine numbers as 3 generation 75 hp 1.6 MT (900 kg, top speed not measured) and 4 generation 75 hp 1.6 MT (934 kg, 172 km/h, 13.5 s, Disc). The 2 generation 75 hp car is 114 kg lighter than the last 75 hp car and 3 km/h faster where both speeds are measured.

Avoid choosing by the badge 1.6 MT 60 hp unless the point is the mildest 7.5:1 1582 cc. 2 generation: 160 km/h at 820 kg (13.7 kg/hp). 3 generation: 155 km/h at 900 kg (15.0 kg/hp). Same 60 hp and 110 Nm; the later one is slower and heavier. The 75 hp tune in the same generations is +15 hp on the same 1582 cc.

1 generation is the buy only if you specifically want 1.1 MT, 1.3 MT, or the early 1.5 MT 55 hp / 70 hp pair. Top speed, 0–100 and kerb are not measured. You cannot compare them to 201 km/h or 13.5 s with a number from this file. What you can compare: 40 vs 44 vs 55 vs 70 hp; 70 vs 81 vs 106 vs 108 Nm; 1086 / 1286 / 1488 cc. The 70 hp 1.5 MT is the only 1 generation engine in the same specific-output band as the later 75 hp 1.6 MT (≈47 hp/L). Drum brakes, 52 L tank, 152 mm clearance, Independent, torsion both ends.

What later generations do not buy you in this data. They do not add gears (always Manual 4), do not add driven wheels (always RWD), do not add boost (always No), and do not change body (always Cabrio). 3 generation adds 2.0 MT and 90 hp on 1582 cc, and adds 80 kg. 4 generation adds Disc brakes, a 95 hp 1582 cc tune, 13.5 s on the 75 hp car, and another 34 kg, while cutting the tank by 2 L. 2 generation keeps the lightest kerb (820 kg), the only spring front listing, and the two 201 km/h cars. Prices are not in this catalogue; “what the extra money buys” here means what the extra hp, kg and brake type buy on the spec sheet.