1956-1959
By the mid-1950s, the larger 1600cc engine made a lot more sense than the underpowered 1300 and this model went onto become the entry-level 356 after the 1300 was discontinued in 1957.
Specification
Engine: Rear-mounted, air-cooled flat-four with two Solex 32 PBIC (or Zenith 32 NDIX) downdraft carburettors
Capacity: 1582cc
Compression ratio: 7.5:1
Bore and stroke: 82.5x74mm
Maximum power: 60bhp at 4500rpm
Maximum torque: 110Nm at 2800rpm
Transmission: Four speed manual driving the rear axle
Brakes: Front: 280x40mm drums; rear: 280x40mm drums
Suspension: Front: Two swinging arms with two transverse torsion bar springs, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar; Rear: Swing axles with torsion bar springs and telescopic dampers
Wheels & tyres: Front: 4.5Jx15 with 5.90/15 tyres 4.5Jx15 with 5.90/15 tyres
Length: 3950mm
Width 1670mm
Weight: 850kg (885kg for 1959)
0-62mph: 16.5sec
Top speed: 99mph
Variations
The 356A 1600 was initially available in Coupe and Cabriolet forms from 1956, with Hardtop-Coupe and Hardtop/Cabriolet versions added in 1958.
