In 1948, the 356 No. 1 Roadster became the first-ever Porsche car to receive its general operating permit — kicking off the first in a very long line of Stuttgart-built automobiles that now travel the road. And with 2023 marking the 75h anniversary since the first Porsche model hit the open road, the German automaker has opted to mark the occasion via a modern homage to its inaugural offering with the Porsche Vision 357 Anniversary Concept Car.
The Vision 357 Concept boasts a slew of hallmark design cues from the 356 including a narrow passenger cell with an abruptly sloping flyline, broad shoulders, a wrap-around, jointless front hood fastened with quick-release mechanisms, and a windscreen that wraps around the car’s blacked-out A-pillars and visually merge the trio of windows into a single unit. The concept’s rear grille also pays tribute to the 356, with a third brake light is integrated into the design. Another nod to the original 356 comes in the form of the 357’s livery — a two-tone scheme comprised of Ice Grey Metallic and Grivola Grey Metallic. The exterior of the concept car also sports special “75” anniversary logos on its doors, hood, and front splitter.
Underneath the surface, the 357 Concept is built atop Porsche’s 718 Cayman platform, more specifically the range-topping GT4 RS-spec. As such, the 357 Concept is powered by the street-legal track weapon’s centrally-positioned naturally aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine that runs on eFuels and puts down 493hp and 331ft-lbs of torque. The concept also rides on central-locking 20” magnesium wheels fitted with carbon fiber aero discs — another element that pays homage to the 356. Straddling the line between tradition and innovation, the 357’s design also features concealed door openers, a front spoiler that’s stabilized via threaded rods, a camera system in lieu of rearview mirrors, ceramic-coated tailpipes encompassed by blued titanium shrouds, and natural fiber-reinforced plastic side sills borrowed from Porsche’s all-electric Mission R GT racer.
Based on the fact that Porsche has delivered some of the most stunning automotive designs over the last 75 years — all of which can be traced back to the 356 — we can only imagine what the Stuttgart firm’s cars will look like by the time its inaugural offering celebrates its 150th anniversary.
