Produced from 1948-1965, the 356 is generally accepted as Porsche's first production automobile. But Dr. Ferdinand Porsche created the Type 64 aerodynamic coupe before WWII, so there's some controversy as to whether the 356 is indeed Dr. Porsche's first Porsche automobile. The Type 64 was so named because it was built with leftover components from the Type 64 VW. The 356/1, or Number 1, prototype also predates the 356. It looks similar to a 356, but has a frameless split-V windscreen and a mid-engine design.
At the KIT CAR Performance Day, we had the opportunity to put a Thunder Ranch (TR) 356 Speedster through its paces in four driving tests-the slalom, the skidpad, 0-60-mph acceleration, and 60-0-mph braking. Before we evaluated any of the automobiles at Performance Day, several editorial colleagues and myself took feature photographs. In case there was some sort of mishap during one of the tests, we wanted the photography to be accident-free and perfect.
On the last test and brake...
On the last test and brake run of the day, Tom made some nice smoke for the crowd.
Well, we had a great plan. Yet someone forgot to snap some photos of the hard-to-miss Porsche Match Signal Red '56 Speedster replica that Thunder Ranch sales and marketing whiz Chuck Hirsch owns. How we missed shooting a resale red roadster is hard to fathom. Still, it gave KIT CAR the excuse to pay Thunder Ranch another visit to see what Tom McBurnie, TR's affable founder and owner, is up to these days. We discovered that none other than Thunder Ranch is replicating the Number 1 prototype we mentioned in the opening paragraph. We saw the first body out of the mold, but we promised not to take a photograph of the sleek mid-engine roadster until it's complete. The Number 1 will only be available as a turnkey car from an exclusive distributor separate from Thunder Ranch. We'll provide all the details as soon as Tom gives us the green light. Stay tuned.
For now, feast your eyes on Chuck's TR '56 356 Speedster and be amazed at how well it competed at the first ever KIT CAR Performance Day. Since Chuck had complete faith in Tom's racing prowess (and he knows where he works), Chuck lent him the keys to his TR 356 and gave Tom the thumbs up to drive it as hard as he needed to. We'll testify under oath that Tom certainly didn't take it easy on Chuck's roadster. But the little red sports car ran strong the entire day and didn't break, which is a testament to how well it's built. By looking at Chuck's car, you'd never guess it's been on the road for four years.
On the day of the photo shoot near the Thunder Ranch shop in El Cajon, California, we not only took pictures of Chuck's 356, but we also snapped some photos of a fresh TR 550. For you Porsche replica enthusiasts, there are plenty of cool 550s and 356s that we'll feature in upcoming issues of KIT CAR from Thunder Ranch and other great Porsche replica companies. Whoever said we just cover Cobras was misinformed.
 Yellow paint on the Thunder...  Yellow paint on the Thunder Ranch 911-style fan shroud really makes the SCAT-built VW four-banger boxer mill stand out. Dual Weber 44mm carbs feed the potent engine. |  Thanks to some outstanding...  Thanks to some outstanding trim work by Luhr's Custom Upholstery, the red-piped leather seats and the entire interior look like they're fresh from the Santee upholstery shop. |  VDO instruments that replicate...  VDO instruments that replicate the gauges from the Porsche factory fill the dash. |
 To give his Speedster a distinctive...  To give his Speedster a distinctive look from the caboose, Chuck opted to have Bee Hive taillights installed. |  As the impressive high-mph...  As the impressive high-mph figure proves, Thunder Ranch founder Tom McBurnie's no stranger to expertly piloting a 356 Speedster through a 420-foot slalom. |  Both the battery and the fuel...  Both the battery and the fuel tank lie beneath the front bonnet. |
Vehicle Manufacturer
Name: Thunder Ranch
Phone: (619) 444-1006
Web site: www.thunderranch.com
Vehicle
Year and type/model: 1956 Porsche 356 Speedster
Car Owner: Chuck Hirsch, San Diego, California
Pricing
Price of Kit: $14,950
Total Price as Tested: $37,500 (turnkey)
Estimated Hours to Build: 200-250
Donor
Year and type/model: VW parts only
Components Included In Kit
Chassis
Frame: 2x4x0.125" wall rectangular tube with rear VW pan section with identification number
Wheelbase: 82.7"
Rearend: VW IRS
Rear Suspension: Independent
Front Suspension: Ball joint
Shocks: KYB
Rear Brakes: Wide drum
Front Brakes: Disc
Brake Lines: Stainless steel
Master Cylinder: Dual VW
Steering: Standard VW with recirculating ball
Front Wheel Make & Size: Mangel, 15X5"
Rear Wheel Make & Size: Mangel, 15X5.5"
Front Tire Make & Size: Pirelli, 400 195/60/15
Rear Tire Make & Size: Pirelli, 400 205/60/15
Body
Paint: Porsche Match Signal Red
Paint Brand/Type: DuPont Chroma base and clear
Windshield/Glass: Glass, DOT approved
Rollbar: Full-width powdercoated silver
Bumpers: Standard bumpers with Carrera trim
Grille: Standard Speedster
Lights: 4-4s with Rock Mesh grille
Mirrors: Rennsport
Emblems and Trim: Thunder Ranch badge, Speedster, and Carrera gold script
Fuel System: Electric fuel pump
Fuel Tank: Modified VW to center fill
Interior
Gauges: VDO replica original gauges
Wiring: Thunder Ranch wiring harness
Steering Wheel: Nardi
Seating: Thunder Ranch leather with red piping
Upholstery: Luhr's Custom Upholstery, Santee, CA (www.customupholstery.net)
Material: Porsche square-weave carpet, leather seats, vinyl dash and door panels
Drivetrain
Engine Brand: SCAT
Engine Type: VW four-cylinder Boxer
Carburetors: Weber 44mm
Air Cleaner: K&N
Ignition: Bosch
Exhaust System: Thunder Ranch Carrera
Transmission Type: Four-speed VW IRS 3:88 final-drive
Shifter: Modified VW
Battery: Interstate
Accessories: Thunder Ranch 911-style fan shroud, stainless braided lines to remote filter and oil cooler
Performance
Acceleration
0-60 mph: 6.48 seconds
Braking
Minimum stopping distance from 60 mph: 142.86 feet
Handling
Lateral acceleration: .77 g
Balance: Oversteer
Slalom Speed (420-foot slalom): 41.5 mph
Lateral seat support: Good
Test Conditions
Temperature: 75 degrees Fahrenheit
Humidity: 30 percent
Elevation: 52 feet above sea level
Location: El Toro Marine Base, El Toro, CA