Editing Porsche 356 (section)

===356 "pre-A"===
{{Infobox automobile
|name=Porsche 356
|image=Nationale oldtimerdag Zandvoort 2010, 1954 PORSCHE 356, RK-70-24.JPG
|caption=1954 Porsche 356, showing the V-shaped windshield
|production=1948–1955
|engine={{ubl|1.1 L ''Type 369'' [[Flat-four engine|B4]] (1948–1953, 1100)|1.3 L ''Type 506'' B4 (1300)|1.3 L ''Type 506/1'' B4 (1300 A)|1.3 L ''Type 589'' B4 (1953–1954, 1300 S)|1.5 L ''Type 527'' B4 (1951–1952, 1500)|1.5 L ''Type 528'' B4 (1952–1953, 1500 S)|1.5 L ''Type 528/2'' B4 (1954–1955, 1500 S)|1.5 L ''Type 546'' B4 (1952–1953, 1500)|1.5 L ''Type 546/2'' B4 (1954–1955, 1500)}}
|transmission=four-speed manual
}}
[[File:Porsche 356 pre A coupes Classic-Gala 2021 1X7A0169.jpg|thumb|left|Porsche 356 "pre-A" coupe rear]]
[[File:1952 Porsche 356 1500 Super in Black (Greenwich), front right.jpg|thumb|left|1952 Porsche 356 1500 Super "pre-A" coupé; early version still fitted with the split windscreen]]
[[File:1954 Porsche 356 convertible (9596133395).jpg|thumb|left|1954, 356 Cabriolet]]

From the earliest, 1,100&nbsp;cc Gmünd beginnings, the overall shape of the 356 remained more or less set. In 1951, 1,300 and 1,500&nbsp;cc engines with considerably more power were introduced. In April 1952 the split windscreen was replaced by a slightly V-shaped, single windshield, which fit into the same shape opening. In 1953, the 1300 S or "Super" was introduced, and the 1,100&nbsp;cc engine was dropped. 

In late 1954, [[Max Hoffman]], the sole US importer of Porsches, convinced Porsche to build a stripped down [[Roadster (automobile)|roadster]] version with minimal equipment and a cut-down windscreen.

Towards the end of the original 356's time (in 1955, when the 356&nbsp;A was about to be introduced), Hoffman, wanting a model name rather than just a number, got the factory to use the name "Continental" which was applied mostly to cars sold in the United States. Ford, makers of the [[Lincoln Continental]], sued.<ref name=conti>{{cite web |url= http://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/cars/porsche-356-continental-short-story-about-well-known-name |title= Porsche 356 'Continental': A short story about a well-known name |date= 2013-07-17 |publisher= Classic Driver |access-date= 2014-09-23}}</ref> This name was used only in 1955 and today this version is especially valued. For 1956, the equivalent version was briefly sold as the "European".<ref name=conti/> Today, all of the earliest Porsches are highly coveted by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, based on their design, reliability and sporting performance.

The [[M422 Mighty Mite]], a [[military light utility vehicle]] built for the [[United States Marine Corps]], originally used the engine from the 1300 S, but the production M422 had to use a different engine due to regulations requiring US-built equipment in US military vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Jim |title=Backward Glances: 1960 AMC M-422 Mighty Mite |url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/1804-backward-glances-1960-amc-m-422-mighty-mite/ |website=[[Motor Trend]] |publisher=Motor Trend Group |location=US |access-date=31 August 2023 |date=16 April 2018}}</ref>

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