Porsche 356 Pre-A (1948-1955)
The 356 models are readily identifiable by their split (1948 to 1952) or bent (centre-creased / Knickscheibe) (1953 to 1955) windscreens. In late 1955 the 356 A appeared, with a curved windscreen.
These are the first series, built from 1948 to 1952 with a split windscreen and very low bumpers. These cars were built in Gmünd in Austria until 1951 when Porsche moved back to Stuttgart, Germany.
When Ferry Porsche developed the first Roadster prototype to create an alloy coupé in 1948, it was a successful move. In contrast to the Porsche Number 1, the engine was now moved behind the rear axle, as with the VW, to create space for two small emergency seats. Around 50 examples of the 356 aluminium coupé were produced between 1949 and 1951 in the Austrian town of Gmünd, and then provisional production lines were set up in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.