Performance Review: Porsche 356 B 1600S Super - [1959]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 356 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 356 B 1600S Super is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1959. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 and the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato.This particular Porsche 356 has a 1582cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F6's includes the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The 356 shares its Petrol F6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS and the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 II. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 356's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 838 kgs (1847 lbs) this makes the Porsche 356 B 1600S Super in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 356 shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1582cc 8V F6 engine produces 74 bhp (55 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (98 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 88 lb-ft (119.3 Nm) @ 3700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 356 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2001 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 Sport SRi (113.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 356.

The Porsche 356 has a Power to weight ratio of 88.3 bhp per ton and 105.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1959 356 competing with the 2001 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 Sport SRi (113.3 bhp per ton) or the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (113.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche 356 generating around 105.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1986 Peugeot 505 2.8 V6 (129.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 (129.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 13.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 13.9 secs, this made the Porsche 356 B 1600S Super as fast as the 1963 Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe (13.50 secs) the 1967 Triumph Spitfire Mk 3 (13.60 secs) the 1954 Jaguar Mark VII 3.4L 12v (13.60 secs) the or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (13.70 secs). This Porsche 356 B 1600S Super is also faster than the 1967 Triumph Spitfire Mk 3 (13.60 secs) the 1954 Jaguar Mark VII 3.4L 12v (13.60 secs) the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (13.70 secs) the and the 1950 Jaguar Mark VII 3.4L (13.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 356 and the 1954 Jaguar XK 140 SE

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 356 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.58 secs @ 73.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1954 Jaguar XK 140 SE (18.49 secs), the 1988 Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v (18.49 secs), and the 1951 Ferrari 212 Export (18.50 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1959 version of the Porsche 356 B 1600S Super has a maximum speed of 101mph.

Top Speed of the 1959 356 equals the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (112 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1959 Porsche 356 B 1600S Super then how about the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (112 mph), the 2012 Fiat 500 L TwinAir Turbo (112 mph), or the 2011 Dacia Sandero 1.6 16v (112 mph).

Related Links:

1959 356 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison