Factory Parts Catalogs
Factory parts catalogs for the Porsche 356, from the first 1953 edition through the 356C supplement, with a note on the Porsche numbering system.
Introduction
Parts catalogs were originally produced primarily for distribution to Porsche dealers and service facilities. Their purpose was to identify the component parts needed for repair purposes and to identify the models for which they were originally intended. Since other manufacturers used similar documents, for the newly founded Porsche KG it was simply a case of determining desired format and content.
The horizontal (landscape) format of the 356 parts catalogs is somewhat unusual and makes the catalogs difficult to put on a typical bookshelf. It is interesting to note that for all subsequent Porsche models catalogs were oriented conventionally (portrait). The format does allow illustrations to be presented front to back in a very understandable manner. Since all pages were individually printed there was minimal additional expense to produce them this way.
Especially in the early years, changes came frequently and catalog pages were continually updated by Porsche to provide current information and to include discontinued and superseded parts. Due to this the binding was drilled so that pages could be easily interchanged (see All Parts Catalogs were not created equal below).
As with the workshop manuals the parts catalogs had engines up front, followed by transmissions. After that, there was an interesting evolution of categories that eventually ended with a section called chassis included items fastened to the chassis including shift linkage, steering, brakes and suspension components. Next, curiously, is a section with fuel tank, instruments, wheels and tools.
The body/chassis and removable body components follow with interior, glass and trim in the following section. It all ends with removable tops and electrical items. In some versions there is a tenth section with numerical arranged part numbers or special model parts (e.g. Convertible D).
356 (1953)356 Supplement (1953)Porsche produced the first parts catalog in March of 1953 (Catalog I). This catalog has covers that are light maroon and covered in a cloth material with “PORSCHE” in silver on the front. It was followed by a single supplement with light blue heavy paper covers. Both are reproduced here on the Website.
VW parts catalog applicable to early PorscheThis booklet was issued by Porsche as an interchange aid for VW engine parts that were the same as used in Porsche engines at the time. It deals almost exclusively with hardware parts and covers just the engines. Though undated, it was likely issued between 1953 and 1954.
During the 356A production period Porsche switched from an 8 digit part number system to an 11 digit system. Up to the January 1955 Pre A Parts Catalog (Catalog II) the 8 digit system was used. Sometime before the end of 356 production in 1965, a revised version of Catalog II was issued with some of the numbers noted with 11 digits. The early version of the May 1957 356A Parts Catalog (Catalog III) used the 8 digit system — with a small number of 11 digit numbers. A later version of the same date primarily used the 11 digit system. An explanation of these parts numbering systems is found on the Technical Library page - Porsche Parts Numbering System. What is the significance of this and why should we produce all versions here? When looking at a certain part, having the 8 digit version and the 11 digit version available can help you determine whether a part actually changed or just the part number. One further note. In the early days of Porsche, many of the parts used in the cars were either VW parts or derivatives of VW parts. If a part number starts with 111 that part is actually a VW part.
May 1957 356A Parts Catalog (Early)May 1957 356A Parts Catalog (Late)Catalog III was produced in May of 1957 and covered the 356A model cars. Its cover was identical to that of Catalog II with Ausgabe III on the spine. It also used the Porsche 8-digit part numbering system, though later printings of this catalog would use the new 11-digit system. There were numerous supplements to this catalog, the largest being the inclusion of the Carrera 1500GS parts section.
Engines spare parts list Types 369/506/546/527/528This parts book was issued by Porsche in December 1959, 5 years after the last of the 2-piece case engines were installed in cars. Apparently, the catalog was issued to fill a void existing between Parts Catalog I and Parts Catalog II. Catalog I only covered engines type 369, 506 and 527, leaving types 546 and 528 uncovered with the exception of the partial treatment in the first supplement to Catalog I. Catalog II covered the new 3-piece case engines. Why the 5 year delay is not known, but was probably based on demand.
Convertible D Parts Catalog (1959)The Convertible D was a 1 year only model produced for the model year 1959. As the Convertible D was the successor to the Speedster this catalog covers the parts for the Convertible D that were different from the Speedster model.
B Temporary Parts CatalogThis book was issued in September 1959, several months before the full 356B parts book was issued in January 1960. It was intended as a bridge between the 356A (Catalog III) parts book and the 356B parts book. It contained the parts for the 356B that differed from those used for the 356A. Interestingly, it not only shows the parts that were new for the 356B, but also shows the parts for the 356A that were no longer used for the 356B. With green heavy paper covers, it has German, English and French descriptions.
356B (1960)For the next catalog, Porsche ceased using the numbering system and instead titled them after the models they covered. The first of these is the 356B catalog produced in January 1960. It was produced in four different versions, the first being one with an engine turned motif on the cover; the second with maroon hard covers with a textured finish; the third with vinyl covers; the final with maroon heavy paper covers.
T 6 356B Supplement (1961)The next standard parts catalog was produced in conjunction with the appearance of the 356B T 6 in September 1961. This was referred to as the 1st Supplement to the 356B catalog.
356C Supplement (1964)A final catalog was produced with the introduction of the 356C and was titled the 2nd Supplement to the 356B catalog.
Porsche Classic Website: Parts CatalogPorsche Classic offers a wide variety of original, reproduction and reimagined parts via an online parts catalog on their external website. Click the button to open the site in a new window.
Important Information
All Parts Catalogs were not created equal…
As Porsche updated specifications, replacement pages for relevant parts catalogs were provided to existing dealers. While it is likely that these replacement pages were inserted in the relevant catalogs, it is possible certain dealers were more diligent than others and of course some dealers went out of business. As early as September 1959 (9/59) replacement pages had printing dates at the lower right. Earlier replacement pages appear to have been undated.
Later printings of these catalogs also contained only the updated pages available at the time they were printed. Because of the above it is rare to find identical catalogs that were printed in period.
Later printings of the 356A catalog incorporated period supplements relevant to that model car. Mentioned above are the 1500GS supplement and Convertible D supplement both of which were incorporated with the latter referred to as Group 10 which was inserted following Group 9.
Last updated September 10, 2026
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