Late-1950s roads and racetracks showed Porsche refining what made its small sports cars special: lightweight bodies, nimble handling and engines tuned for spirited driving. That context helps explain why 1959 remains a useful year to study when tracking model development and production shifts.
There are 8 1959 Porsche Car Models, ranging from 356A Cabriolet to 356B Roadster (T5). For each car you’ll find below Body style,Production (units),Engine (cc / hp).
Which 1959 Porsche models tend to be most sought after by collectors?
Collectors usually favor rarer coachwork and higher-performance variants—limited-production trims, special coachbuilt bodies, or cars with competition history—so models with lower production numbers or unique engines from 1959 command more attention and value.
How reliable are the Production (units) and Engine (cc / hp) figures listed?
Production and engine figures come from factory records, contemporary registries and respected marque references; they’re generally reliable but can vary slightly between sources due to incomplete records, regional options or post-production modifications.
1959 Porsche Car Models
| Model | Body style | Production (units) | Engine (cc / hp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 356A Coupé | 2-door hardtop coupé by Reutter. | 2,709 | 1582cc / 60hp (1600) or 75hp (Super) |
| 356A Cabriolet | 2-door soft-top convertible by Reutter. | 1,489 | 1582cc / 60hp (1600) or 75hp (Super) |
| 356A Convertible D | 2-door roadster with a taller, removable windshield, by Drauz. | 1,331 | 1582cc / 60hp (1600) or 75hp (Super) |
| 356A Carrera GS/GT | Offered as a Coupé or Cabriolet/Convertible D body. | ~151 | 1498cc / 105hp (GS de Luxe) or 110hp (GT) |
| 356B Coupé (T5) | 2-door hardtop coupé by Reutter. | 2,095 | 1582cc / 60hp (1600), 75hp (Super), or 90hp (Super 90) |
| 356B Cabriolet (T5) | 2-door soft-top convertible by Reutter. | 1,246 | 1582cc / 60hp (1600), 75hp (Super), or 90hp (Super 90) |
| 356B Roadster (T5) | 2-door roadster with removable windshield, by D’Ieteren. | ~250 | 1582cc / 60hp (1600), 75hp (Super), or 90hp (Super 90) |
| 356B Carrera 1600 GS/GT | Offered as a Coupé or Roadster body. | ~50 | 1588cc / 115hp (GS) or 135hp (GT) |
Images and Descriptions
356A Coupé
The final version of the classic 356A, produced in the first half of 1959 before the B-series transition. Valued for its pure, uncluttered design, the T2-body 356A Coupé is a quintessential vintage Porsche, offering a direct and engaging driving experience.
356A Cabriolet
The open-top version of the 356A provided a more luxurious alternative to its spartan predecessors. Featuring a fully padded top and roll-up side windows, it blended Porsche’s signature handling with the pleasure of top-down grand touring for its final production year.
356A Convertible D
Produced for the 1959 model year only, the Convertible D replaced the Speedster. It offered greater practicality with a better top, wind-up windows, and more comfortable seats, making it a highly desirable and rare transitional model for collectors.
356A Carrera GS/GT
This was the ultimate street-legal 356A, powered by the complex four-cam racing engine derived from the 550 Spyder. A true “race car for the road,” the Carrera offered incredible performance but demanded specialized maintenance, reserved for dedicated enthusiasts.
356B Coupé (T5)
Introduced in late 1959, the 356B (T5 series) featured the model’s first major styling update. It is easily identified by its raised headlights and larger bumpers, changes made to meet US regulations. The new optional 90hp “Super 90” engine was a key highlight.
356B Cabriolet (T5)
The open-air version of the newly redesigned 356B. It incorporated all the modern updates of the T5 body, including raised fenders and improved interior details, combining the thrill of the new, more powerful engine options with a classic convertible experience.
356B Roadster (T5)
Entering production in late 1959, the Roadster replaced the Convertible D. It featured a more spartan trim and a lower, removable windshield compared to the Cabriolet, continuing the Speedster’s sporting legacy in the updated 356B platform for purist drivers.
356B Carrera 1600 GS/GT
The legendary and complex four-cam Carrera engine continued in the new 356B chassis, now with a larger displacement. These were exceptionally rare and expensive factory-built racers, representing the absolute pinnacle of Porsche performance available in 1959 for a handful of customers.
