1960 Porsche 356 Super 90 Cabrio – Exterior and Interior – Retro Classics Stuttgart 2022

The Porsche 356 Super 90 was created because expectations were rising fast at the end of the 1950s. With rivals already flirting with triple-digit power figures, Porsche responded not with radical redesign, but by extracting more from its proven 1.6-liter boxer. The result was a car that combined familiar looks with performance that finally pushed the 356 into a new league.

Technical Details:

The Porsche 356 B 1600 Super 90 was powered by an air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine with a displacement of 1,582 cc. Known internally as type 616/7, the Super 90 produced 90 PS (66 kW) and 121 Nm of torque, making it the most powerful pushrod engine offered in the 356 B range. The performance increase was achieved through conventional but carefully optimized measures: higher compression raised to 9.0:1, revised cylinder heads with lighter cylinders and larger valves, and twin Solex double downdraft carburetors. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox. Braking relied on drum brakes all around, with duplex drums at the front and simplex units at the rear. The Super 90 was also the first Porsche production model to be delivered as standard with radial “belted” tires, improving grip and stability. An additional compensating spring at the rear axle, similar to the setup used on Carrera models, further enhanced road holding. Performance figures reflected the upgrades: a top speed of around 180 km/h and 0–100 km/h acceleration in approximately 13.5 seconds, with testers often noting even higher real-world speeds.

• Manufacturer: Porsche
• Model Name: Porsche 356 B 1600 Super 90
• Year of Manufacturing: 1960–1963 (Roadster: 1960–1962)

Design:

From the outside, the Super 90 looked much like other 356 B models, retaining the higher bumpers and raised headlights introduced with the B series. These changes were driven largely by export regulations and gave the car a more upright front appearance. Body styles included Coupé, Cabriolet, and Roadster, each sharing the same basic proportions and compact footprint. Wheels were fitted with wider sport tires than lesser models, subtly hinting at the car’s performance potential. Inside, the Super 90 benefited from the ongoing interior refinements typical of Porsche’s evolutionary approach. Seating, ergonomics, and instrumentation were familiar but increasingly polished. From the 1962 model year, Coupé versions could be ordered with an electrically operated steel sliding roof supplied by Golde, adding another layer of everyday usability without altering the car’s character.

Historical Significance:

By the end of the 1950s, the 356 1600 Super with 75 PS no longer impressed all buyers, especially as competitors like the MG-A Twin Cam and Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce offered higher outputs. Porsche’s response was the Super 90, introduced from the 1959 model year onward within the 356 B series. Rather than adopting exotic solutions, Porsche refined its existing engine architecture, demonstrating how far careful development could go. With performance approaching that of more expensive cars such as the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, the Super 90 strengthened Porsche’s position in the international sports car market. It showed that the company could remain competitive while staying true to its engineering philosophy. Across all 356 B variants, production reached over 22,000 units, underlining the commercial success of the series.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

Among enthusiasts, the Super 90 is prized for its specific mechanical details. Features such as sodium-filled valves, a more aggressive internal tune, and twin Solex carburetors contribute to its reputation as the sharpest pushrod 356. Period testers praised its handling, with one famously describing the chassis as having the “good-natured manners of a fairy-tale uncle.” Some Cabriolets were delivered with both a removable hardtop and a folding soft top, adding to their versatility and rarity today. In broader culture, the Porsche 356 had already established strong screen presence by the early 1960s, with memorable appearances such as Harper starring Paul Newman. Celebrity ownership further fed the mythology around the 356 family, with later enthusiasts like Patrick Dempsey publicly sharing their affection for Porsche 356 Cabriolets.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Retro Classics Stuttgart in 2022. This car show is one of the major events on the classic car calendar in Germany. In 2022, it took place across five exhibition halls. Visitors can enjoy special showcases, hunt for rare parts and books, and buy cars—both private sellers and dealers offer a wide range of classic and youngtimer vehicles. In 2022, there was a noticeable increase in low-mileage youngtimers and classic cars.

Conclusion:

The Porsche 356 B 1600 Super 90 represents the peak of pushrod development within the 356 lineage. By combining higher engine output, improved chassis components, and subtle usability upgrades, Porsche delivered a car that met rising expectations without abandoning its established formula. Today, the Super 90 stands as a clear example of how incremental engineering and thoughtful refinement could produce a sports car that felt genuinely quicker, more capable, and thoroughly contemporary for its time.