This site is intended to provide information on the original tool kits found in Porsche 356 automobiles. Wherever possible, I will provide detailed descriptions and photos of individual tools and the entire kits appropriate for various years. I recently began assembling a tool kit for my car, a 1956 356A Coupe, and I found that while there is considerable information available, there is no comprehensive source for 356 tool kit information. Many tools are bought and sold on eBay, and I have seen people paying hundreds of dollars on "Porsche 356 tools", that were in fact not correct for the 356, and even worse, still available for $20-30!!!

NOTE: I try to provide complete and accurate information, but because of the time that has passed since these tool kits were new, it is not possible to make definitive statements about what is right, and what is not. I provide this information mainly for people's interest, and accept no responsibility for any kind of loss that you may incur by relying on the information on these pages. This means if you rely on this information to buy a $700 screwdriver, and it turns out to be the wrong one, it's not my fault!

TOOL KIT OVERVIEW
This table shows what was included in tool kits. The "year" provided is a general guideline, changes in tools often occurred mid-year. For details and variations, please click on the name of the tool on the left, or use the links on the top of each page.

REFERENCES:

A great amount of information on this site is based on information provided in the following articles published in the Porsche 356 Registry:

Vol. 15, No. 6, "Historical Perspectives", by Jim Perrin
Vol. 16, No. 1, "Historical Perspectives", by Jim Perrin
Vol. 18, No. 2, "356B Tool Kit Configurations", by A.C. Roda
Vol. 22, No. 6, "Pre-A 356 Tool Kits", by Jim Perrin
Vol. 23, No. 1, "Pre-A 356 Tool Kits, Part 2", by Jim Perrin
Vol. 24, No. 1, "Porsche 356A Tool Kits", by Jim Perrin
Vol. 25, No. 3, "356 Market Watch", by Orr Potebnya
Vol. 25, No. 6, "The 356 T6B 'Tie-string' tool kit", by Jim Perrin

I wrote a few tool-related articles in the 356 Registry - they may be of interest also:

Vol. 28, No. 1, "Porsche 356 Tool Kit Accuracy"
Vol. 30, No. 6, "Restoration of 356 Tool Kit Bags"

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Virtually all the information I provide on this site is based on articles published in the Porsche 356 Registry, and information obtained through email discussions with participants of "356Talk". When I first published this site, I named a number of people who were of great assistance in providing information, photos and encouragement. This list has become sizeable, and rather than risk missing the names of people, I will just print a general "THANK YOU!" - you know who you are...