1959–1960 Porsche 356 A 1600 GS Carrera GT Specs & Performance

The Porsche 356 A 1600 GS Carrera GT brought competition-derived engineering to an open-top sports car, combining the freedom of a convertible with the specialised character of Porsche’s Carrera models. Its low windscreen, sculpted bodywork, and compact proportions gave it a purposeful presence without the visual excess of later performance cars. What made this version particularly distinctive was the engineering behind its Carrera name: it belonged to a rarefied branch of the 356 family developed for enthusiasts who appreciated advanced engine design and a closer connection to Porsche’s motorsport ambitions.

For the 1959–1960 range, the Carrera GT used a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre four-cam flat-four producing 113 hp and 100 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed manual transmission connected the driver directly to its rear-mounted powertrain, with power delivered to the rear wheels. This combination gave the open two-door model a distinctly focused character, setting it apart from more ordinary 356 variants through its specialised mechanical design rather than styling alone.