In the model year 1956 – production had already started in September 1955 – the 356 Pre-A was replaced by the 356 A following extensive further development. The modifications to the vehicle were part of the (T1) "Technical Programme 1". One of the key visual differences between the A series and the "original 356" was a single-piece, curved panoramic windscreen. The front indicators were always integrated in the horn grille and all models had a modified front lid handle with an inset Porsche Crest.
| Year | Coupé | Cabriolet | Speedster |
|---|---|---|---|
| until October 1955 | 53009-55000 | 60723-61000 | 80201-81900 |
| from October 1955 for model year 1956 | 55001-55390 | 61001-61069 | 81901-82000 |
| 1956 | 55391-58311 | 61070-61499 | 82001-82850 |
| until March 1957 | 58312-59090 | 61500-61700 | 82851-83691 |
| from March 1957 | 100001-101692 | 61701-61892 | production stopped |
| Model T2 from September 1957 | 101693-102504 | 150001-150149 | production stopped |
| Porsche-Type | 356/1300 | 356/1300 "Super" | 356/1600 | 356/1600 "Super" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction year | 09/1955 - 08/1957 | 09/1955 - 08/1957 | 09/1955 - 08/1957 | 09/1955 - 08/1957 |
| Type | 4-cylinder 4-stroke boxer engine, central camshaft | |||
| Engine-Type | 506/2 | 589/2 | 616/1 | 616/2 |
| Engine numbers 1955 | 22246-22273 | 50128-50135 | 60001-60608 | 80001-80110 |
| Engine numbers 1956 | 22274-222471 | 50136-50155 | 60609-63926 | 80111-80756 |
| Cooling | air cooled | air cooled | air cooled | air cooled |
| Bore | 74,5 mm | 74,5 mm | 82,5 mm | 82,5 mm |
| Stroke | 74 mm | 74 mm | 74 mm | 74 mm |
| Displacement | 1290 cm³ | 1290 cm³ | 1582 cm³ | 1582 cm³ |
| max. torque | 8,25 mkg at 2800 rpm |
9,0 mkg at 3600 rpm |
11,2 mkg at 2800 rpm |
11,9 mkg at 3700 rpm |
| HP (DIN) @ RPM | 44 hp / 4200 rpm | 60 hp / 5500 rpm | 60 hp / 4500 rpm | 75 hp / 5000 rpm |
| Compression Ratio | 6,5:1 | 8,2:1 | 7,5:1 | 8,5:1 |
| Lubrication | Pressure circulation | Pressure circulation | Pressure circulation | Pressure circulation |
| Transmission | 4 forward gears, 1 reverse gear, synchronized | |||
| Tires | 5.60-15 or 5.90 Sport | 5.60-15 or 5.90 Sport | 5.60-15 or 5.90 Sport | 5.60-15 or 5.90 Sport |
| Petrol tank | 52 liters, of which 5 are reserve | |||
| Consumption | 10,0 l Super / 100 km | 11,0 l Super / 100 km | 10,0 l Super / 100 km | 11,0 l Super / 100 km |
| Weight Coupe/Cabriolet | 860 kg / 880 kg | 860 kg / 880 kg | 860 kg / 880 kg | 860 kg / 880 kg |
| 0-100 km/h | 22,0 sec | 17,0 sec | 16,0 sec | 15,0 sec |
| Top speed | 145 km/h | 160 km/h | 160 km/h | 175 km/h |
The paints offered for the 356 A T1 in 1955 and 1956 are listed below. Starting in 1957, however, a new range of paints consisting of 7 standard paints became available. 5602 Polyantha Red became 5702 Ruby Red, 5603 Graphite Metallic became 5703 Meissen Blue, 5604 Sahara Beige became 5704 Ivory, 5605 Lago Green Metallic became 5705 Fjord Green and 5607 Aquamarin Blue Metallic became 5707 Aquamarin. 4 paints known as 'Sonderfarben' (special paints) also became available: 5710 Stone Grey, 5711 Orange, 5712 Auratium Green and 5713 Glacier White.
However, the "European" models were also available only in the colours below.
Production in 55 was divided up between two versions. Pre-A (T0) and T1 cars were manufactured that year.
| Coupé | Cabriolet | Speedster | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | |
| 356/1300 (Pre-A) | 95 | - | - | 13 | - | - | |||
| 356/1300 (T1) | 31 | - | - | 5 | - | - | |||
| 356/1300 S (Pre-A) | 9 | - | - | 0 | - | - | |||
| 356/1300 S (T1) | 3 | - | - | 3 | - | - | 2 | - | - |
| 356/1500 (Pre-A) | 872 | - | - | 160 | - | - | 579 | - | - |
| 356/1600 (T1) | 270 | - | - | 56 | - | - | 240 | - | - |
| 356/1500 S (Pre-A) | 186 | - | - | 20 | - | - | 134 | - | - |
| 356/1600 S (T1) | 71 | - | - | 8 | - | - | 31 | - | - |
| 356 Carrera/1500 GS | 38 | - | - | 4 | - | - | 14 | - | - |
| Total | 1575 | 2921 | 2480 | 269 | 430 | 393 | 1000 | 1056 | 591 |