1959 Porsche 356 A 1600 Super Convertible D Specs & Performance

The Porsche 356 A 1600 Super Convertible D offered a distinctive middle ground between the open-air simplicity of the Speedster and the greater comfort of a traditional cabriolet. Its taller windscreen and more practical convertible design made it better suited to longer drives, while the familiar rounded body preserved the character of Porsche’s early sports cars. The Convertible D’s appeal lay in this balance of usability and sporting purpose, giving drivers an open-top Porsche that felt less stripped-back than the Speedster without losing its compact, purposeful identity.

For 1959, the Super Convertible D used a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre flat-four producing 74 hp and 86 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed manual gearbox gave the driver direct control over its power delivery, complementing the car’s traditional rear-engine layout. Rather than relying on extravagant styling or modern conveniences, this version stood out through its more accommodating roadster design and the stronger performance of the Super engine. It remains an appealing expression of Porsche’s early approach to combining everyday usability with focused sports-car engineering.