Guide: the 356 Goes XXL - a Historical & Technical Appraisal of the Porsche 530
Background
By the autumn of 1951 Porsche’s fortunes had been transformed.
When 356 production began in 1949, it did so at a converted Austrian sawmill because the firm’s Zuffenhausen plant in Stuttgart (opened in 1938) was occupied by the American army.
In order to return to Germany, during November 1949 Porsche struck a deal to lease 5000 sq ft of warehouse space from the Stuttgart-based Reutter coachworks. The first German-built Porsche 356 emerged in March 1950. By December 1950, all Porsche’s administrative and engineering staff had returned to Germany thanks to the acquisition of a further 1100 sq ft warehouse leased from Reutter.
The agreement between Reutter and Porsche went well beyond a deal for warehouse space; Reutter were also contracted to build bodies for the 356.
With German production of the 356 underway (initially as either a 1.1-litre Coupe or Cabriolet), Porsche took a stand at the Paris Motor Show in October 1950. While there, Porsche management held a meeting with American car dealer, Max Hoffman, who was the US distributor for Volkswagen and Jaguar.
A deal was struck that saw Hoffman become Porsche’s distributor for North America. Within a few weeks, the first cars and parts were making their way across the Atlantic.
In March 1951, Porsche added a new 1.3-litre engine to the 356 range which was joined by a 1.5-litre power unit the following October.
Encouraged by Hoffman, Porsche then looked to expand the 356 range further; a pair of new models were commissioned in late 1951.
The Type 540 America Roadster was a special-bodied 356 lightweight conceived for Hoffman’s customers that wanted to go racing.
The Type 530 was a long wheelbase 356 with a full four-seat cockpit. At this stage it was anticipated the Type 530 would be offered as both a Coupe and Cabriolet. Such a machine would allow Porsche to break into the mainstream and diversify away from purebred sports cars.
The first designs for the fixed-head Type 530 were ready by December 1951 and those for the Convertible followed in January 1952.
Porsche commissioned Reutter to create bodies for the prototypes and requested the work be done as quickly as possible.
The operational Coupe prototype was ready for assessment in April 1952 at which point it was flown out to the USA for Hoffman’s consideration.
Chassis
Porsche supplied Reutter with a rolling 356 chassis (number 12201), the wheelbase of which had been extended from 2100mm to 2400mm.
Suspension was fully independent via transverse torsion bars and trailing arms with additional swing axles at the rear. Telescopic dampers were fitted all round.
Brakes were hydraulically operated 230mm drums with twin leading shoes at the front.
Pressed-steel ventilated 3.25 x 16-inch wheels had chrome hubcaps and came shod with 5 x 16-inch tyres.
A standard 52-litre fuel tank was located under the front lid along with a spare wheel and battery.
Engine / Gearbox
Although some reports claimed the Type 530 was fitted with an experimental one-litre engine, it seems more likely that Porsche would have installed one of their production motors.
At the time, Porsche offered a choice of three all-alloy air-cooled Flat 4 boxer engines for the 356:
- the Type 369 1.1-litre unit displaced 1086cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 73.5mm and 64mm respectively. With a 7.0:1 compression ratio and two Solex 32 PBI carburettors, peak output was 40bhp at 4200rpm and 51lb-ft at 2600rpm.
- the Type 506 1.3-litre unit displaced 1286cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 80mm and 64mm respectively. With a compression ratio of 6.5:1 and two Solex 32 PBI carburettors, peak output was 44bhp at 4200rpm and 60lb-ft at 2800rpm.
- the Type 527 1.5-litre Super roller bearing unit displaced 1488cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 80mm and 74mm respectively. With a compression ratio of 7.0:1 and two Solex 40 PBIC carburettors, peak output was 60bhp at 5000rpm and 75lb-ft at 3000rpm.
Transmission was via a non-synchromesh four-speed Volkswagen gearbox with single dry plate Fichtel & Sachs clutch.
Bodywork
Whereas the cars built in Austria had been equipped with aluminium bodies, Reutter’s craftsmen were not skilled in working with aluminium and nor did they have the necessary tools. As a result, Porsche had switched to steel bodies for these German-built 356s.
The move to mass production also saw many parts made in stamping dies as opposed to by hand.
From the A-pillars forward, the Type 530 was pure 356.
Further back, Reutter fabricated longer doors with bigger side windows to include the rear quarter glass.
The roofline was also made longer and it was higher than normal at the back of the car to ensure sufficient rear headroom. Unlike the standard 356 Coupe, the Type 530 had a Notchback-style roof profile. It gave the look of a Hardtop permanently fixed in place.
Wraparound bumpers with overriders were fitted at both ends.
A single piece windscreen was fiitted as it had been to the rest of the 356 range from April 1952. Similarly, brightwork was added to the front and rear screens in the form of slim aluminium mouldings.
Overall, Porsche and Reutter did a very impressive job of incorporating the Type 530’s extended wheelbase and customised cabin / tail without diluting any of the 356’s trademark features.
Interior
Like every 356, the Type 530 had a simple, spacious and elegantly appointed interior.
The dash was body coloured metal. Instrumentation comprised a speedometer and clock. A radio and rev counter were optional extras on the standard model.
Door panels were normally upholstered to match the seats and rear quarters.
Leather trim was most commonly requested but fabric upholstery was also available. A grey cloth headliner was fitted to all 356s of this era.
The standard Petri steering wheel featured twelve delicate wire spokes in three banks of four. Its faux ivory finish matched the switchgear.
Tinted Perspex sun visors were provided for driver and passenger.
Other April 1952 range-wide 356 updates found on the Type 530 were body coloured metal instead of beech door caps, green-on-black instruments instead of the original white-on-black, a conventional indicator stalk instead of a switch on the dash and front seats that could be fully reclined.
Weight / Performance
A standard 356 Coupe of the period weighed in at between 745kg and 760kg (depending on which engine was installed). The Type 530 probably tipped the scales at circa 840kg.
With a top-of-the-range 1500 Super engine fitted, it would have been able to reach around 100mph and hit 0-62mph in circa 15 seconds.
Subsequent History
In May 1952, the recently completed Type 530 was shipped out to the USA where Ferry Porsche met with Max Hoffman. However, within a matter of weeks the project had been cancelled.
The concept of a full four-seater model was subsequently revisited in 1959-1962 and 1968-1970 with the 754 T7 / T8 and the 911 B17 / C20. Unfortunately, the one-off 530 served as the basis for the 754 T7 and therefore no longer exists in its 1952 configuration.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com
