Aluminum 356 Provenance

 

Please notify phil.carney@comcast.net of any inaccuracies and/or supplementary information

 

Chassis Number

Engine Number 3

Build Location

Date 4

Provenance

356-001

356-2-034969

# – – –

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

June 8, 1948

Tube-frame, mid-engine Roadster that used mechanical/cable brakes. Original color dark gray. Exported to Zurich, Switzerland for investors von Senger. Homologation papers dated June 8, 1948. Kaes chassis list shows date of June 15, 1948. Swiss customs date September 10, 1948 and first registered December 20, 1948. A 1970 Porsche advertisement claimed car to have used a 1,131 cc Type 366 engine originally.

Status (3/2004) -- Car has been restored and is in Porsche museum collection. Seen frequently at Porsche endorsed events.

356/2-001

356-6-020199

# – – –

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

June 8, 1948

Coupe equipped with mechanical/cable brakes. Exported to Zurich, Switzerland for investors von Senger and Blank. Swiss customs date September 16, 1948 and first registered March 4, 1950. Original Typenschein papers show that this car was equipped with engine no. 356-6-021343 which was a 1,131cc engine that produced 40 hp @ 4,000 rpm. The engine was apparently later removed and used in the first Beutler-bodied Cabriolet, 356/2-002.

356/2-002

356-6-021343

100

B –Beutler

F – Beutler6

June 8, 1948

Cabriolet built by Beutler and used mechanical/cable brakes. Original color blue. Exported to Zurich, Switzerland for investors von Senger and Blank.

Per Uwe Biegner, Beutler build date is January 6, 1949 for Beutler car #1030. Displayed at March 1949 Geneva Auto Show. Swiss customs date unknown but first registered April 2, 1949. Scrapped per Conradt/Wyssmann. Front body panel likely built in Gmünd and rear body panels likely built by Beutler. Body #100 possibly assigned by Beutler.

356/2-003

356-6-014106

101 (W7)

B –Beutler

F – Beutler6

October 28, 1949

Cabriolet completed by Beutler and equipped with mechanical/cable brakes. Original color maroon. Exported to Zurich, Switzerland for investors von Senger, Blank and AMAG. Kaes notes incorrectly identify as Tatra, Vienna body W7 but car exists and is inconsistent with this information. Kaes chassis list shows date of October 28, 1949.

Per Uwe Biegner, Beutler build date is March 12, 1949 for Beutler car #1033-1. Reports originally sold to Mohamed Taher Pascha, nephew of King Farouk of Egypt. Returned to Switzerland for engine replacement in 1952 and remained in Europe.

Swiss customs date shows May 20, 1952 and first registered May 26, 1952. Front body panel likely built in Gmünd and rear body panels likely built by Beutler. Body #101 possibly assigned by Beutler.

Status (6/2006) -- Car has been restored.

356/2-004

356-6-014109

356/K2

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

December 28, 1948

Coupe exported to Zurich, Switzerland for R. investors von Senger and B. Blank. Equipped with mechanical/cable brakes. Kaes chassis list does not show a date. Displayed at Vienna Motor Show May 1949. Swiss customs date December 28, 1948 and first registered January 9, 1950. Body number may be mistakenly recorded or stamped, could be 356/K1.

Status (3/2007) -- Car is undergoing restoration.

356/2-005

356-6-020896

557/3 (W1)

B – Tatra

F – Gmünd6

February 21, 1949

Coupe; Kaes notes indicate as Tatra, Vienna body W1 and show delivered to Marchtrenk, Austria.

356/2-006

356-6-063663

557/6 (W8)

B – Tatra

F – Gmünd6

March 7, 1949

Coupe; Kaes notes indicate as Tatra, Vienna body W8 and date of March 7, 1949. W8 is handwritten on Kaes chassis list.

356/2-007

356-7-037315

557/4 (W2)

B – Tatra

F – Gmünd6

February 16, 1949

Coupe; Kaes notes indicate as Tatra, Vienna body W2. Kaes notes also refer to car as “Vorführungswagen” which seems to indicate car was a special demonstrator or show car apparently prepared for a dealer by the name of Günther.

356/2-008

356-1-000010

356/K2

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

December 27, 1948

Sunroof coupe, exported to Zurich, Switzerland for R. investors von Senger and B. Blank. Equipped with mechanical/cable brakes and original color ivory. Kaes chassis list does not show a date. Displayed at March 1949 Geneva Auto Show. Swiss customs date of December 27, 1948 and first registered April 29, 1949. Body number may be mistakenly recorded or stamped, could be 356/K1.

Status (3/2007) -- Car has been restored.

356/2-009

356-2-040673

557/7

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

March 7, 1949

Coupe.

356/2-010

356-1-026857

# 557/5

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

January 12, 1949

Coupe; Kaes indicates that car was a “Vorführungswagen” or test vehicle. Known to be used by Dr. Prinzig to demonstrate 356 to potential dealers and buyers. Kaes notes indicate usage by Piëch family. Sold by Porsche prior to April 1951.

Status (3/2007) -- Car has been restored.

356/2-011

356-2-000029

557/21

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

November 17, 1949

Coupe; Kaes chassis list shows delivery to Aschach, Austria.

356/2-012

356-1-102845

557/8

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

March 9, 1949

Coupe; Kaes chassis list shows delivery to Vienna, Austria.

356/2-013

356-1-000019

557/10

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

March 19496

Coupe; Kaes chassis list shows no date and delivery to Schruns, Austria.

356/2-014

1-000016

557/9

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

March 9, 1949

Coupe; Kaes chassis list shows delivery to Vienna, Austria. Original engine still installed in car. Engine number contains no 356 prefix, i.e. number is 1-000016.

Status (3/2007) -- Car in U.S. and has been restored.

356/2-015

356-1-000021

557/11

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

March 29, 1949

Coupe; Kaes chassis list shows delivery to Vienna, Austria.

356/2-016

356-1-000018

557/12 (W3)

B – Tatra

F – Gmünd6

April 22, 1949

Coupe; Kaes notes indicate as Tatra, Vienna body W3. Delivered to Kufstein, Austria.

Status (4/2008) – Claimed to be found after being stored for 47 years. Car is reportedly in original, unrestored condition.

356/2-017

356-1-000030

557/19

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

June 28, 1949

Coupe with conflicting delivery information. Kaes list shows date of June 28, 1949 and delivered to Vienna. Other information show car exported to Switzerland (date unknown) and first registered January 21, 1950. Original color yellow and equipped with mechanical/cable brakes. Car upgraded with hydraulic brakes in 1952.

Status (3/2007) -- Car in U.S. and has been restored.

356/2-018

356-1-000024

557/17

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

June 14, 1949

Coupe; Kaes chassis list shows delivery to Feldkirch, Austria.

356/2-019

356-2-000028

557/20

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

June – November 19496

Coupe; Kaes chassis list shows no date but exported to Torino, Italy.

356/2-020

356-1-000022

557/13 (W5)

B – Tatra

F – Gmünd6

May 12, 1949

Coupe; Kaes chassis list indicates as Tatra, Vienna body W5 and indicate delivery to Kennelbach, Austria.

Status (3/2007) -- Car is unrestored.

356/2-021

 

See

Notes

356-1-000013

104

B – Beutler

F – Beutler6

April 29, 1950

Conflicting information apparently caused by Porsche issuing duplicate original papers and builders plate indicating 356/2-021 on two different cars. This car believed to be a Cabriolet completed by Beutler, exported to Switzerland April 29, 1950 and first registered February 3, 1951. Per Uwe Biegner, Beutler car #1033-3. Original color green and equipped with mechanical/cable brakes. Destroyed (burned) per Conradt/Wyssmann.

356/2-022

 

See

Notes

356-1-000023

557/18

B – Gmünd

F – Gmünd

June 14, 1949

Conflicting information apparently caused by Porsche issuing duplicate original papers and builders plate indicating 356/2-021 on two different cars. In the engine compartment of this car there are two numbers stamped: 356/2-022 and 557/18. This car is a Coupe delivered to Feldkirch, Austria. Kaes list contains no information. Letter of April 1, 1954 from Porsche Salzburg to Otto Mathé indicates that front of car 356/2-021 was irreparably damaged but that motor no. 356-1-00023 had been repaired.

Status (3/2007) -- Car in Europe and not drivable.

356/2-023

356-1-000025

557/14 (W4)

B – Tatra

F – Gmünd

March 6, 1949

Coupe; Kaes chassis list indicates as Tatra, Vienna body W4 and delivery to Linz, Austria..

356/2-024

356-1-000015

103

B – Beutler

F – Beutler

October 29, 1949

Cabriolet completed by Beutler. Per Uwe Biegner, Beutler car #1033-2. Exported to Switzerland October 29, 1949 and first registered July 14, 1951. Original color beige and equipped with mechanical/cable brakes. Kaes chassis list shows no information. Body #103 possibly assigned by Beutler. Scrapped per Conradt/Wyssmann.

356/2-025

356-1-102835

C/1

B – Keibl

F – – –

February 11, 1949

Cabriolet possibly built by Keibl. Conflicting information. Kaes chassis list shows date of February 11, 1949 and delivered to Vienna, Austria. Automobilia indicates car was first Porsche-built Cabriolet completed in August 1949. Other information shows car exported to Switzerland July 14, 1952 and first registered July 16, 1952. Original color cream and equipped with hydraulic brakes.

Status (3/2007) -- Car is currently in Porsche Museum collection.

356/2-026

356-1-000011

C/2

B– Kastenhofer

F – – –

 

Cabriolet possibly built by Kastenhofer. Kaes chassis list shows no date but indicates delivery to Vienna, Austria.

356/2-027

356-1-000026

557/16

B –Tatra

F – Gmünd6

June 15, 1949

Coupe; Kaes chassis indicates built by Tatra and delivered to Murau, Austria.

356/2-028

356-1-000014

102

B – Beutler

F - Beutler6

June 17, 1949

Cabriolet completed by Beutler, exported to Switzerland (no date defined) and first registered June 17, 1949. Per Uwe Biegner, Beutler car #1033-4. Originally equipped with mechanical/cable brakes. Kaes chassis list shows no information. Body #102 possibly assigned by Beutler. Scrapped per Conradt/Wyssmann.

356/2-029

356-1-000020

557/15 (W6)

B – Tatra

F – Gmünd6

March – June 19496

Coupe; Kaes chassis list shows no date but indicates as Tatra, Vienna body W6 and delivery to Gmünd, Austria.

356/2-030

356-1-000012

105

B – Beutler

F – Beutler6

August 30, 1949

Cabriolet completed by Beutler. Per Uwe Biegner, Beutler car #1033-5 with build date of August 30, 1949. Exported to Switzerland February 8, 1950, sold by dealer on June 22, 1951 and first registered September 27, 1951. Original color black and equipped with hydraulic brakes. Kaes chassis list shows no information. Scrapped per Conradt/Wyssmann.

356/2-031

356-2-000027

557/22

B – ???

F – Salzburg

June 12, 1950

Coupe; Kaes chassis list indicates final assembly in Salzburg and exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis).

Status (3/2007) -- Car not drivable.

356/2-032

356-2-000036

806/28

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

June 12, 1950

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes chassis list shows date of June 12, 1950, final assembly in Salzburg and exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis). Car was bought by a Norwegian in Helsingborg, Sweden in the mid-60s and driven to Oslo on Swedish plates. On arrival in Oslo it was parked and fitted with Norwegian plates. It was sold to a farmer on the west coast of Norway and driven there. The original engine was used to run a saw and the car was parked in a shed. It was advertised in the early ‘80s in a major newspaper and sold to a dentist in Oslo with no engine. The dentist stored it in a barn south of Oslo and kept it for a few years only. A Porsche collector in Norway bought it and sold it directly to Germany. It then went straight to the U.S.

Status (3/2007) -- Car in England and has been restored but does not have original engine.

356/2-033

356-2-000032

557/23

B – Tatra

F – Tatra

June 19506

Coupe; Kaes chassis list shows bodied by Tatra. List also shows exported to Cairo, Egypt. Kaes notes indicate equipped with air conditioning which seems like an unusual accessory for a Cabriolet of the time but consistent with destination.

356/2-034

356-2-000037

806/29

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

June 12, 1950

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes chassis list and Porsche document dated June 16, 1950 indicates final assembly in Salzburg. Chassis list shows date of June 12, 1949 and exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis). Car has been restored.

356/2-035

356-2-000031

557/24

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

June 16, 1950

Coupe; Kaes notes do not confirm but Porsche document dated June 16, 1950 indicates final assembly in Salzburg. Chassis list shows exported to Heliopolis, Egypt. Kaes chassis list shows bodied by Tatra.

356/2-036

356-2-000034

557/25

B – – –

F – Salzburg

June 16, 1950

Coupe; Kaes notes do not confirm but Porsche document dated June 16, 1950 indicates car final assembly in Salzburg. Chassis list shows delivery to Vienna, Austria.

356/2-037

356-2-000035

557/27

B – – –

F – Salzburg

June 16, 1950

Coupe; Kaes notes and Porsche document dated June 16, 1950 indicates final assembly in Salzburg. Chassis list shows exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis) and date of July 18, 1950.

Status (01/2011) - Imported into U.S. from Sweden around March 1974. The steel parts were very rusty and the front bumper missing. The aluminum was rough and there was repaired accident damage in the front. Car otherwise complete and together, including the original interior. It appears to have been a French vanilla color with a red interior. It was one of the early Scania Vabis cars and was white with one red and one blue "racing" stripe down the middle of the car. There is a license plate number painted on the back, very official looking (S-39884).

Car currently in the U.S. and per owner the date it entered the U.S. officially was 8 April 1974. It was signed off by Customs on 12 April 1974 when it was picked up at the dock in Baltimore. The title on car says 1949, probably because of the import documents, which said 1949.

356/2-038

356-2-000038

806/30

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

June 12, 1950

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna. Kaes notes and Porsche document dated June 16, 1950 indicate final assembly in Salzburg. Chassis list shows exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis) and date of July 18, 1950.

Status (3/2007) -- Car not drivable.

356/2-039

356-2-000033

557/26

B – – –

F – Salzburg

June 16, 1950

Coupe; Kaes notes and Porsche document dated June 16, 1950 indicate final assembly in Salzburg. Chassis list shows exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis) and date of July 18, 1950.

356/2-040

356-V-000003

# – – –

B – Gmünd

F – Salzburg

First half 19506

Coupe; possibly last 356 built in Gmünd. This information consistent with Kaes notes indicating car built early 1950. Porsche Salzburg document dated December 9, 1951 indicates car equipped with experimental 1.5 liter engine 356-V-000003. Various Porsche test reports indicate car was used to test brake and clutch linings and shocks. Car sold to Otto Mathé in 1953 as body only. Used by Mathé as tow vehicle for his Porsche-powered ice racer.  Research indicates was never used for racing.

Status (3/2007) -- Car in U.S. and has been preserved in approximately last condition as used by Mathé.

356/2-041

356-2-000040

806/31

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

June 12, 1950

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes chassis list and Porsche document dated June 16, 1950 indicates final assembly in Salzburg. Exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis).

Status (10/2009) -- Car in Austria, still has original engine.

356/2-042

356-2-000039

806/32

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

June 12, 1950

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes chassis list and Porsche document dated June 16, 1950 indicates final assembly in Salzburg. Exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis).

356/2-043

356-2-000041

806/33

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

July 18, 1950

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes chassis list indicates final assembly in Salzburg and exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis).

356/2-044

356-2-000042

806/34

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

May 11, 1950

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes chassis list  indicates final assembly in Salzburg and exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis).

Status (2007) -- Car is drivable

356/2-045

356-2-000043

806/35

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

July 18, 1950

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes notes indicate final assembly in Salzburg and exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis).

Status (10/2010) -- Car in U.S., has been restored.

356/2-046

 

 

 

No information known to exist, possibly never bodied.

356/2-047

356-2-000045

806/36

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

July 18, 1950

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes chassis list s indicates final assembly in Salzburg and exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis).

Status (3/2007) -- Car not drivable.

356/2-048

356-2-000044

806/37

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

November 16, 1950

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes chassis list shows date of November 16, 1950, indicates final assembly in Salzburg and exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis).

356/2-049

356-2-000047

806/39

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

February 25, 1951

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes chassis list s indicates final assembly in Salzburg and exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis).

Status (3/2007) -- Car not drivable.

356/2-050

356-2-000046

806/38

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

March 20, 1951

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna, Austria. Kaes notes indicate final assembly in Salzburg and exported to Sweden (Scania Vabis).

Status (10/2010) -- Car has been restored and in U.S. Engine currently in the car has no number stamped on it and is likely not original to the car. Car has raced at Monterey Historics.

356/2-051

 

 

 

No information. Near end of the "customer" car series and beginning of the SL series.

356/2-052

356-2-000048

806/41

B – Tatra

F – Salzburg

February 9, 1951

Coupe; body number indicates bodied by Tatra, Vienna. Delivered to Innsbruck, Austria and sold to Otto Mathé for Rally racing.

Status (3/2007) -- Car in Europe and has been preserved in condition last used by Otto Mathé.

356/2-053

 

# – – –

B – Tatra

F – – –

 

Likely configured as SL in Zuffenhausen and no longer in existence. 6

356/2-054

3001/A

 

806/42 8

B – Tatra/ Dannenhauer

F – Stuttgart

November 1951

1951 Le Mans car. Exported to U.S. November 1951 and sold by Max Hoffman to Fritz Koster. Sold in 1953 to John von Neumann and then exported to Mexico in time for 1953 Carrera Panamericana race. Also raced 1954 Carrera Panamericana, DNF both times.

Status (3/2007) -- Car in Mexico and not drivable.

356/2-055

3003/A

 

806/43 8

B – Tatra/ Dannenhauer

F – Stuttgart

August 1951

Coupe configured as SL in Stuttgart in May 1951 for Le Mans. Also 1.5 liter Montlhéry record setting car shown at 1951 Paris Auto show. Exported to U.S. November 1951. Sold by Hoffman to Trego Imported Motors, Hoopeston, IL. Raced extensively generally driven by Karl Brocken.

Status (6/2007) -- Car in U.S. and restored in late 1980’s to a condition better than that representative of its racing heritage.

356/2-056

 

806/44 8

B – Tatra/Reutter

F – Stuttgart

 

Company memo indicates this was one of four SLs prepared for 1951 Le Mans. The others were 356/2-054, -055 and -063. Since the car never raced at Le Mans and was not heard of afterwards, this is by deduction the SL that was wrecked by a mechanic in a head on collision just prior to the race.

356/2-057

 

806/45

B – Tatra

F – – –

1950

Coupe contains some SL features but more likely built as a European Grand Tourer or Rally car.

Status (2007) -- Car in U.S. and has been restored.

356/2-058

P-40015

806/40

B – Tatra

F – Stuttgart

 

Coupe now stamped with chassis 356/2-055 but last digit of original number was ground out and replaced with a “5”. Based on retained data plate apparently originally 356/2-058. Configured as SL in Zuffenhausen for 1952 race season. Believed to have been car #47 at 1952 Le Mans race. Note that body number would have been more likely associated with chassis number 356/2-051 but since chassis and bodies not built concurrently that difference in sequence is not unexpected.

Status (2006) -- Car in U.S. and not drivable.

356/2-059

 

# – – –

B – Tatra

F – Stuttgart

 

Coupe configured as SL in Zuffenhausen in 1952. Believed to be currently in Porsche museum wearing chassis data plate 356/2-055. Location of plate covers stamped chassis number. Only 356/2 known to have had 4 cam engine installed by factory.

Status (2006) -- Car has been restored.

356/2-060

 

# – – –

B – Tatra

F – Stuttgart

 

Likely configured as SL in Zuffenhausen and no longer in existence. 6

356/2-061

3004/A

P-40010

# – – –

B – Tatra

F – Stuttgart

January 9, 1952

Coupe configured as SL in Zuffenhausen in 1951. Only 356/2 known to have had been modified to a mid-engine configuration. Ordered by D’Ieteren Belgium on September 19, 1951. After appearing in 1952 Brussels Auto Show it was sold to Max Thirion. Raced extensively by his daughter Gilberte Thirion. Winner of the 1952 Liège-Rome-Liège Rally, car #81.

Status (6/2009) -- Car is under restoration in Europe. Work completed except for painting and re-assembly.

356/2-062

 

# – – –

B – Tatra

F – – –

 

Likely configured as SL in Zuffenhausen and no longer in existence. 6

356/2-063

3002/A

 

806/49 8

B – Tatra/Reutter

F – Stuttgart

August 1951

Coupe configured as SL in Zuffenhausen in 1951 for Le Mans. Believed to be car #33 in August 1951 Liège-Rome-Liège race. Exported to U.S. November 1951. Sold by Hoffman to John von Neumann (owner of Competition Motors in California.) Car modified into Roadster configuration by Johnny von Neumann in mid 1952.

Status (7/2010) -- Car in U.S. has been restored in topless configuration. Used in vintage racing and competed at Laguna Seca Historics in August 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

1 - Green shading indicates car is still in existence.

2 – Data includes body number, builder of body (B), and location of final assembly (F). When Porsche Salzburg opened in late 1949 most and possibly all remaining aluminum car work was transferred to Salzburg. Fabrication of body panels and body assembly may have remained in Gmünd through mid 1950. All chassis numbers 806/XX assumed built by Austro-Tatra GmbH Wien (Vienna) Simmering, Austria.

3 – Engine numbers on the Austrian cars are in the form 356-X-YYYYYY. The X values were 1, 2, 6 or 7 and in all likelihood this initially equated to the Volkswagenwerk engine type: 1 = Beetle engine, 2 = Kübelwagen engine, 6 = Industrial Motor and 7 = Schwimmwagen. The YYYYYY digits were the serial number and it is easy to see where it changed from a Volkswagenwerk assigned number to a Porsche assigned number. After this change took place only 356-1 and 356-2 engines were installed in cars but the limited examples still existing do not support the idea that relates to engine type. Another interesting observation is that Porsche initially used Volkswagen aluminum cases and later switched to using Volkswagen magnesium cases. This switch occurred sometime after Porsche returned to Germany but the exact timing and rationale is not known.

4 – Earliest documented date.

5 – Herbert Kaes chassis list was prepared in early 1951 to record customer purchased vehicles. Other contemporary information indicates that list is not 100% accurate.

6 – Indicates data is the deduction of the author.

7 – Conradt information first published in Porsche 356, Driving in its Purest Form by Dirk-Michael Conradt. Uwe Biegner Beutler information first published in 356 Registry Volume 21, Number 1.

8 – Body number and body builder information taken from internal office memo dated May 2, 1951 (provided by Steve Heinrichs).