The DFW Car & Toy Museum has expanded its collection with the addition of a 1960 Porsche 356B 1600S Cabriolet, a vehicle that represents a pivotal moment in automotive history. This acquisition underscores the museum's commitment to preserving significant automotive artifacts that demonstrate both engineering innovation and timeless design.
The 356B model, introduced for the 1960 model year, featured several key design updates that marked its evolution from earlier versions. These included raised bumpers and headlights, along with a redesigned front trunk lid handle. The museum's example, finished in Ivory over blue leather, showcases the refined styling that characterized Porsche's output during this period. Originally delivered from the factory in silver, the car was refinished in Ivory prior to 2001 as part of a comprehensive refurbishment.
Mechanically, the vehicle is powered by a 1.6-liter air-cooled flat-four engine equipped with dual Zenith carburetors. This engine was factory-rated for the higher-output "S" specification, delivering spirited performance through a four-speed manual transaxle. The driving experience offered by this drivetrain remains central to the 356's enduring appeal among enthusiasts and collectors.
Inside, the cabin features striking blue leather upholstery complemented by a Moto-Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel and a Becker-style dashboard layout. Instrumentation includes green-letter VDO gauges, such as a 120-mph speedometer, a 5,000-rpm tachometer, and a combination gauge for monitoring fuel level and oil temperature. The five-digit odometer, repaired in 2009, currently displays 14,000 miles.
Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, emphasized the vehicle's cultural significance, stating that the Porsche 356B 1600S connects generations as both sculpture and sports car. The cabriolet exemplifies the spirit of open-top European motoring in its most elegant form, capturing the essence of an era defined by craftsmanship and driving pleasure.
For automotive leaders and technology observers, this acquisition highlights several important themes. It demonstrates the growing institutional recognition of classic automobiles as cultural and historical artifacts worthy of preservation. The meticulous restoration and presentation of such vehicles also reflect broader trends in heritage conservation and the valuation of analog engineering excellence in an increasingly digital age.
The museum, now located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, Texas, operates from Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Visitors can find more information at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com. The facility offers 150,000 square feet of exhibition space with free parking and admission, along with climate-controlled storage and event hosting capabilities.
As one of Porsche's earliest and most collectible models, the 356B Cabriolet serves as a testament to precision craftsmanship and enduring design philosophy. Its inclusion in The Ron Sturgeon Collection not only enriches the museum's offerings but also provides a tangible link to automotive heritage for business and technology leaders interested in the intersection of engineering, design, and cultural preservation.
