Zoom, and he whipped around the corner and off down the street as I only had time to shoot one picture while I was stopped at the light. Clearly enjoying himself in his 1956 Porsche 356A in a somewhat unconventional color on this resplendent day here in Colorado, this fellow was making the most of what he had. Window down, sound in his ears, wind in the cabin and probably a few familiar smells from the car wafting about.
Well, if I don’t have the time to take more than one picture, at least I can work with what I’ve got and crop/enlarge! How can one tell it’s a 1956 356A? Well, the curved windshield and doors without quarterlights means it’s at least a 1956, which started the “A”. Late in 1956 overrider tubes were added to US market cars. However they are often removed so not definitive or this could be an import. But for 1957 the door handle shape became more rounded at its rear end, this one looks sort of sqaure-ish at the rear. Early in 1957 the tail lights changed from two “beehive”-style lights per side to an elongated single one on each side. The lights are difficult to see here but I think they are the beehives. So I’m going with 1956 but would not wager a lot of my own money on that…Either way it’s a cool car and nice to see driven on a regular weekday.
Excellent picture, Jim.
Is it just me, the perspective, or the rear wheels look a little wider than normal?
It’s amazing how a ’63 year old bug (ok, no offense meant 🙂 ) can be as good looking as this one.
I thought they looked wider/deeper than normal.
Regardless of year, they are always a welcome sight out in the wild, at least to me. Saw one by my house a couple of weeks ago.
Props for the ability to nail this one down to the exact year.
But I have one problem. As a longtime fan of vanilla ice cream, I would have to say that the color definitely makes this one French Vanilla. But – – – it’s a German car. Is there such a thing as German Vanilla? I have never seen that one in the freezer case at my local grocer. It would probably have coconut in it. Or is that just German chocolate?
I’m confused. But really ready for some dessert. 🙂
This one of the deutschest of hues, the classic German taxi RAL 1015 Hellelfenbein or light ivory. Or at least very close.
Yeah, sure. Any Audi in refrigerator white 😉
Yes, lots of early 60s MBs were in a very similar “off-white” color.
I suppose if it was pure white and speckled with really fine tar spots, one could call it Vanilla Bean Ice Cream… a personal favorite of mine.
I don’t like when I get tar on my car though. :o)
There’s nothing vanilla about us Germans. Or maybe we are so vanilla we don’t like it pointed out to us and certainly not in an ice cream flavor. Chocolate is definitely more our jam, especially in a cake. Schwarzwalderkirschtorte for everyone!
‘Schwarzwalderkirschtorte for everyone!’
Jim for world president!
You shall hereby be granted two slices.
Courtesy of the 356 Registry: A guide to identifying the various 356 models through the years from Pre A to C. “The Spotters Guide to the 356”. Hope this helps the CC universe in appreciating these delightful cars..
https://porsche356registry.org/article/164
Yes, I spent way more time at that exact link than I should have trying to parse the minute differences…Thanks!
“for 1957 the door handle shape became more rounded at its rear end”
Ladies and Gentlemen, here we are witnessing true scholarship!
Nice catch!