1/24 Porsche 356 Diecast Review

[Gramps46]

Porsche 356 – a review of 1/24 diecasts

A few months ago I said I would do a review of 1/24th scale diecast Porsche 356s.  With the help of fellow board member Tim I have been able to complete my Porsche 356 diecast collection and so offer these for your consideration, but warn you there is some mystery involved.

The Porsche 356 came in 4 series: A, B, C, and Super 90 with a wheelbase of 2100mm.  However there were variations within each series making identification challenging.

Porsche 356/1 – 1948 A prototype that differs from later 356s because of its engine location amidships.  Both Maisto and Welly offer similar versions of the 356/1.

Porsche 356A Speedster– 1957 a diecast made of brass was offered by Precision Classics, rare and expensive. Photo from eBay.

Porsche 356A Speedster – 1955 Franklin Mint which is up to mint standards but the headlamps have pseudo wire covers which were not factory stock.

 

Porsche 356B – 1961 BBurago, Motormax, and Welly have offered coupes and cabriolets in various colors with interiors of black or tan mixed with black rear seat.  However they are large in size and bigger than the 1/24 scale as labeled.  These all look very much alike but detail differences in the castings indicate they are not from the same molds.  The chassis plates also differ between brands.

BBurago Coupe

Welly Cabriolet

Welly Cabriolet

Motormax Coupe

Porsche 356C – 1963 Also available are Superior and Sunnyside versions with front vent windows which could make these 356C models. 

Porsche 356 Super 90 Cabriolet – 1962 Metro/Leo Models/ Hachette a true 1/24th scale.

 

#	Series	Brand	Wheel Base mm	Scale	Notes	Engine	Poseable   Front Wheels
1	356/1 1948	Maisto/Welly	86.56	1/24.2	Silver Roadster		Yes
2	356A Speedster 1955	Franklin Mint	87.77	1/23.9	Red Cabriolet	Yes	Yes
3	356A Speedster 1957	Precision Classics	Unknown	1/24?	Brass	Yes
4	356B 1961	BBurago	92.41	1/22,7	Red Cabriolet	Yes	Yes
5	356B 1961	Motormax	95.06	1/22.1	Blue Coupe		Yes
6	356B/C 1961	Superior/Sunnyside	90.70	1/23.1	Blue Coupe		Yes
7	356B 1961	Welly	95.95	1/21.8	Red Cabriolet	Yes	No
8	356B 1961	Welly	95.95	1/21.8	Silver Cabriolet	Yes	No
9	Super 90 1962	Metro/Leo/Hachette	88.32	1/23.7	Red Cabriolet	Yes	No
			2100mm/87.5

 

The mystery part?  Why are the various 356Bs from multiple brands so big and why do the cabriolets and coupes have mixed color interiors?  Why do some Superior and Sunnyside coupes have front vent windows which would make them C series yet are labeled as Bs?

Comments, Corrections, and Additions (Snake Fu entries) are welcome.  This review was focused upon the 1/24 diecast models and does not include the plastic kits which were produced by others.

 

 

Edited March 25, 2020 by Gramps46

[Snake45]

Very thorough review, thanks! 

Here's my own $10 Welly, with Snake-Fu. My measurement came out same as yours--just over 1/22.

I have a theory why so many of them are oversize. When I was working on it, I had the Revell '63 Vette on the bench at the same time. They were pretty much the same size, and if you didn't know the 356 was a smaller car, they'd look normal side by side. Maybe someone at Welly et al decided that at true 1/24, it would look "too small" on the shelf--or maybe it would look too small to the customer in the store. Just a theory, y'unnerstand. 

[Gramps46]

10 hours ago, Snake45 said:

Here's my own $10 Welly, with Snake-Fu. My measurement came out same as yours--just over 1/22.

I see you painted the wheels which look good.  Please tell us more.

[Snake45]

I thought I did a thread on it here.  I shot the pics--maybe I haven't written it up yet. Oh well. 

Just standard Snake-Fu. Sand tire treads. Paint wheels. White-stem the lights. Black-wash the little grilles in the front, which really helped. This was the first or second model I used the Deco-Color Premium silver marker (similar to Molotow, but dries faster, dries harder, and costs 1/4 as much) on. Silver sharpie doesn't show up well enough on silver paint. You can see the Deco-Color on the door handles and rocker panel trim strips. I'm pretty pleased with how it works. 

[Gramps46]

The Snake Fu really sharpens up the look of your cabriolet.  Thanks for posting it.

[randyc]

Great write up.  At one time, I woulda been all over one of these, but have focused on big USA barges recently.   I am amazed at how tight the shut lines are on the inexpensive cars.   Makes me think someone is paying attention and may actually be a model car guy.   Love the coupes.  I'm not sure I knew those existed.

[THarrison351]

Great review Gary! I really liked the look of that 356 Super 90 Cabriolet. I'm going to have to seek out one for myself.

[Gramps46]

7 hours ago, THarrison351 said:

Great review Gary! I really liked the look of that 356 Super 90 Cabriolet. I'm going to have to seek out one for myself.

Tim, thanks, you had a hand in making it happen.  The Super 90 is my favorite one too.

[Gramps46]

Thanks everyone for your comments.  It was kind of a labor of love.

Just discovered  a 356A speedster I missed that is listed on eBay.  Looks pretty nice.

Asahi Collection 1:24 Porsche356A SPEEDSTER