Porsche 356 #1 Enjoys Whirlwind World Tour
Daily Slideshow: 70 years after it was born, the original Porsche 356 is enjoying quite the travel itinerary.
Travel Companion
The very first Porsche 356 (and Porsche sports car in general) has beaten the odds and lived quite the life. Credit the automaker for having the foresight to reacquire the historic ride back in 1958 when they had the chance. And after giving the 356 a thorough restoration a while back, Porsche has wasted no time taking their original ride with them everywhere they go.
Happy Birthday to Me
Porsche 356 #1 is no stranger to travel, but 2018 is an extra hectic year for its itinerary. This year marks the car's 70th anniversary, of course. So instead of sitting around, watching TV, and eating some cake, the 356 has been on display all over the world to mark this festive occasion.
>>Join the conversation about the very first Porsche right here in the Rennlist Forum!
Pebble Beach Excellence
The original 356 and a replica kicked off their North American tour in Califiornia for the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the world’s most famous beauty contest for high-end classic cars.
>>Join the conversation about the very first Porsche right here in the Rennlist Forum!
Canada, Eh?
Car #1 then visited Canadian soil for the very first time, beginning with Luxury & Supercar Weekend in Vancouver, which is Canada’s premier lifestyle and car event with a collection of more than 187 luxury rides. From there it headed to Toronto harbor, where the roadster parked on the green in front of the famous CN Tower.
>>Join the conversation about the very first Porsche right here in the Rennlist Forum!
Wrapping Up
Of course, the original 356 couldn't miss out on the premier Porsche event. So it was also on display at the world’s biggest meeting for vintage cars and current Porsche racing cars - Rennsport Reunion VI. That showing actually marks the end of the original car's whirlwind 2018 tour, as it's now resting comfortably back in Zuffenhausen.
>>Join the conversation about the very first Porsche right here in the Rennlist Forum!
Extended Stay
The replica show car, however, isn't finished quite yet. That model is currently spending two months in China, which is Porsche's largest market.
>>Join the conversation about the very first Porsche right here in the Rennlist Forum!
Breath of Fresh Air
Porsche's whirlwind tour was a fitting tribute to both their very first car and their storied history. After all, the 356 has always enjoyed a special relationship with North America. It was a true breath of fresh air for Americans in the 1950s, a time when its unique characteristics helped differentiate it from the typical large family sedan.
>>Join the conversation about the very first Porsche right here in the Rennlist Forum!
Breaking Through
Interestingly, of course, it took some effort to get the 356 on American soil. Marketing genius Max Hoffman and racer John von Neumann are the two individuals Porsche credits with helping the automaker break into the American marketplace and introduce Porsche sports cars to the buying public.
>>Join the conversation about the very first Porsche right here in the Rennlist Forum!
Quick and Stylish
After that was accomplished, the 356 did the rest of the selling on its own. The lightweight, nimble ride quickly established itself as a premier racer on U.S. tracks. On top of that, celebrities were quick to get the stylish rides to their stables as well.
>>Join the conversation about the very first Porsche right here in the Rennlist Forum!
Past Reflections
The rest, of course, is history. Today it's hard to imagine a world where Porsche doesn't exist. But now, 70 years since the first one, we can reflect back on the events (and the singular car) that helped make that a reality!
>>Join the conversation about the very first Porsche right here in the Rennlist Forum!
For more advice on maintaining your Porsche check out the how-to sections of Rennlist.com.