1964 PORSCHE 356C/1600C KARMANN COUPE

Chassis 218292
Engine 713567

Imagine cruising down a sun-drenched coastal highway in the 1964 Porsche 356C.

Windows down, the wind whips through your hair as the engine hums a vintage symphony behind you. This iconic piece of 60s automotive art, with its curvaceous body and timeless design, embodies the spirit of an era defined by freedom and innovation.

The 356 is a time machine that transports you to a golden age of motoring-where every journey was an exhilarating escape and every destination held the promise of a new discovery. It’s a pinnacle in the range of Porsche's early engineering prowess, capturing the spirit of innovation and excellence that defined the brand before the automotive world faced its subsequent upheavals.

A pure, unadulterated pleasure

As the final evolution of the iconic 356 series before the advent of the legendary 911, this model features notable advancements such as four-wheel disc brakes and an air-cooled flat-four engine. Its timeless silhouette, crafted by the renowned coachbuilder Karmann, and its storied history in motorsport make it a prized possession for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

The 1964 Porsche 356C maintained the classic, curvaceous body shape that had become synonymous with the Porsche brand, characterized by its distinctive rounded shape, sloping hood, and fenders. This model continued to use the T-6 body type introduced in 1962, but it featured several refinements that set it apart from its predecessors. Notably, the 356C was the first in the series to be equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels, enhancing both its performance and safety. The car's lightweight construction and aerodynamic design contributed to its excellent handling and driving dynamics, while new flat-face hubcaps and deeper bucket seats added to its aesthetic appeal and comfort.

The interior of the 1964 Porsche 356C was designed with both comfort and functionality in mind, featuring well-crafted materials and a simple yet elegant dashboard layout. Notably, the car came in a striking red leatherette upholstery that added a touch of luxury and sophistication. The seats were comfortable, providing a pleasant driving experience for two passengers. The dashboard was equipped with VDO instrumentation, and the interior often included period-correct features such as a VDM 3-spoke steering wheel and a Blaupunkt cassette radio. The combination of the red leatherette seats and the overall driver-focused layout made the interior of the 1964 Porsche 356C both inviting and practical, embodying the timeless elegance that Porsche is known for.

The 1964 Porsche 356C Karmann Coupe featured the entry-level 1600 C engine, designated as Type 616/15. This engine had an 8.5:1 compression ratio and was equipped with two Zenith 32 NDIX carburetors, producing 74 bhp at 5000 rpm and a maximum torque of 86 ft-lbs at 5000 rpm. The drivetrain included a familiar four-speed synchromesh transmission and a thicker diaphragm clutch, previously reserved for the outgoing Super 90 model. This setup enabled the 1600 C to achieve a 0-60 mph time of 13.5 seconds and a top speed of approximately 107 mph. The 356C model also introduced four-wheel ATE disc brakes, significantly improving braking performance.