It is hard to believe the 356 was still rumbling around in 1965, one year after the first 911 models started arriving to the United States. The 356 was carried into 1965 primarily to serve as a more-affordable entry into the Porsche brand versus the 911 and its six-cylinder layout.
The 356C was also a hedge against the chance – albeit a very rare one – that buyers would not like the new Butzi-penned shape of the 911.
Togo Brown is a period color that still screams vintage today. This paint is so thick and pure, it looks like it probably does add 10 pounds to the bare metal of the delicate-feeling 356C.
In a bit of unrelatedness, this brown-colored Golden Eagle just swooped by my office window after hanging out for a little bit on a branch within eye-shot.
Discovered at Road Atlanta, the 356C is a delightful throwback today, just as it must have seemed in 1965 when the 911 was thrumming onto the scene with more cylinders, more power and more modern panache.
But for many, the real Porsche panache comes in only one bathtub 356 shape.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.