Go to Ultimatecarpage.com

  Ultimatecarpage.com  > Cars by brand  > Germany  > Porsche
356 Carrera 2 GT 2000
Car search:
Quick Advanced 


  Porsche 356 Carrera 2 GT 2000      

  Article Image gallery (18) 124071 Specifications  
Click here to open the Porsche 356 Carrera 2 GT 2000 gallery   
Country of origin:Germany
Produced from:1962 - 1963
Numbers built:16
Introduced at:1961 Frankfurt Motor Show
Internal name:356
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:February 05, 2018
Download: All images
Page 1 of 2 Next >>
Click here to download printer friendly versionAt the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show, Porsche announced the ultimate evolution of the highly acclaimed 356 Carrera. First introduced during the mid-1950s, the 'Carrera' version stood out because of the use of the twin-cam four-cylinder engine designed by Ernst Fuhrmann. Previously available in 1,500 and later 1,600 cc sizes, the competition 356 Carreras regularly punched above their weight in the up to two-litre class. Fittingly dubbed the Carrera 2, the new-for-1962 Carrera crucially featured a full two-litre engine to ensure the ageing 356 could keep up with the ever improving competition.

The previous Carrera engines used were all evolutions of the original Type 547 introduced back in 1953 but there was not enough 'meat on the bone' to increase its displacement any further. The lengthened stroke was the major issue and necessitated longer cylinders, making the new Type 587 slightly wider than its predecessors. What was retained were the shaft driven overhead camshafts typical of Fuhrmann's designs. In road-going trim, the Type 587/1 was fitted with a pair of Solex carburettors and produced 130 bhp. The Type 587/2 competition engine sported twin Webers and produced 140 bhp in road legal trim or 155 bhp with a sport exhaust.

Before being officially announced at Frankfurt in the fall, the new Type 587 engines were tested extensively during the 1961 season, powering the existing T5 version of the 356 B. One almost won the Targa Florio outright while a sister car finished second. The eventual production version used the 356 T6 body, which could easily be identified by the use of twin grilles on the engine cover. Unlike the rest of the T6 range, the Carrera 2 also received Porsche's proprietary disc brake system. Designed to fit Porsche's lightweight wheels and hubs, these disc brakes were connected to the hubs on the rim rather than the centre as on conventional disc brakes.

Page 1 of 2 Next >>

  Article Image gallery (18) 124071 Specifications