Porsche has always been a brand based on evolution rather than plain revolution. The first Porsche, the venerable 356, which originated from the 1948 No.1 was constantly evolved from a VW based sportscar to an ever more unique and sporty motorcar throughout its entire existance.
With the unveiling of the "C "version in 1963, Porsche was finalizing the final step in the development of this model as its successor, the famed 901/911 was publicly unveiled in the September of the same year at the Frankfurt Auto Show. This version of the 356 was offered with 2 engines, both with 1.6 liter displacement and with 75 and 95 bhp respectively. Even more importantly than this, the C featured disc brakes made by Teves under Dunlop license, which were used instead of the in-house design used on the T6 Carrera 2. The C also benefitted from softer rear (22 mm against 23 of the previous generations and +) and front (+1mm) torsion bars to reduce oversteer and to improve the comfort characteristics.
Despite its high price, the 356 C was one of the best sportscars of its era, allowing to cruise down the road with style and allowing the driver to have ludicrous fun on twisty mountain roads. Famously, the 356 C Cabriolet was the car that Janis Joplin purchased and repainted with the iconic "History of the Universe" artwork.
The 356 C is the real end of an era, the swan song of the legendary 356. Even with the introduction of the 911 in 1963, production of this venerable motorcar ceased in 1966, with the very last one produced in the month of May, a white Cabriolet with chassis number 162175.