Historic 1960 Porsche 356B Cabriolet Joins DFW Car & Toy Museum Collection

The DFW Car & Toy Museum has acquired a 1960 Porsche 356B 1600S Cabriolet, a vehicle that represents a pivotal moment in automotive history and design evolution. This addition to The Ron Sturgeon Collection showcases the refined craftsmanship and engineering that defined Porsche's early production years, offering museum visitors a tangible connection to automotive heritage that continues to influence modern sports car design.

Finished in Ivory over blue leather, this Reutter-bodied convertible underwent a comprehensive refurbishment that included refinishing from its original silver factory color. The 1960 model year introduced the T5 body with significant updates including raised bumpers and headlights, along with a redesigned front trunk lid handle. These subtle but important changes marked a turning point in the development of Porsche's first production model, demonstrating the company's commitment to continuous improvement while maintaining the vehicle's iconic silhouette.

Powering this classic is a 1.6-liter air-cooled flat-four engine equipped with dual Zenith carburetors, factory-rated for the higher-output "S" specification. Paired with a four-speed manual transaxle, this drivetrain configuration delivers what enthusiasts describe as a pure and engaging driving experience that remains central to the 356's legendary appeal. The mechanical simplicity and responsiveness of this air-cooled engine established design principles that would influence Porsche engineering for decades.

The cabin features striking blue leather upholstery complemented by a Moto-Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel and a Becker-style dashboard layout. Green-letter VDO gauges include a 120-mph speedometer, 5,000-rpm tachometer, and a combination gauge monitoring fuel level and oil temperature. The five-digit odometer, repaired in 2009, currently shows 14,000 miles, suggesting careful preservation throughout the vehicle's history.

Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, emphasized the vehicle's cultural significance, stating that "The Porsche 356B 1600S is the kind of car that connects generations—it's part sculpture, part sports car. This cabriolet captures the spirit of open-top European motoring in its most elegant form." This acquisition matters because it preserves a tangible piece of automotive history that demonstrates how design evolution and engineering excellence create enduring value. For the automotive industry, such preserved classics serve as reference points for design heritage and engineering philosophy, while for enthusiasts and the public, they provide educational opportunities about technological progression and cultural significance.

The museum, now located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, offers free admission and parking in its 150,000-square-foot facility. Visitors can explore this and other automotive artifacts during operating hours Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. More information about the museum and its collections is available at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.