Performance Review: Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe - [1963]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 356 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1963. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12 and the 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12.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 934 kgs (2059 lbs) this makes the Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged 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 86 lb-ft (116.6 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 1961 Triumph TR4 2.1L (103.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 356.

The Porsche 356 has a Power to weight ratio of 79.2 bhp per ton and 92.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1963 356 competing with the 1961 Triumph TR4 2.1L (103.5 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Marcos Mantis 2.5l Coupe (103.4 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 92.0 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 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (117.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1990 Audi Quattro 2.2T (116.9 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 C 1.6 Coupe as fast as the 1959 Porsche 356 B 1600S Super (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 C 1.6 Coupe 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 1967 Triumph TR5 2.5L

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 356 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 19.21 secs @ 71.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1967 Triumph TR5 2.5L (19.12 secs), the 1990 Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo (19.12 secs), and the 2010 Skoda Fabia 1.4 vRS (19.12 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1963 version of the Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe has a maximum speed of 107mph.

Top Speed of the 1963 356 equals the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (118 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1963 Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe then how about the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (118 mph), the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (118 mph), or the 1989 Ford Fiesta XR2i (118 mph).

Related Links:

1963 356 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison