WHAT IS IT?
Submitted by owner Domenic Savides
This is a 1961 Porsche 356B T5 Coupe. Ever since I was young, I admired the shape and spirit of this car—it always felt like the genesis of the modern sports car: impractical, yet completely irresistible. In my early 20s, I bought a replica that I still own and enjoy. As time went on, owning the real thing became more realistic. I first found an original ’63 T6 B Coupe, which I loved, but I couldn’t ignore what it lacked—more power and better stopping ability. That’s when I set out to build my version of the perfect 356 outlaw.
WHY THIS CAR HAS BEST ONE ON THE PLANET CHOPS
“The Best?”
That’s a tough claim to make. I’ve always believed beauty—and performance—is in the eye of the beholder. But why this car stands out to me? That’s a story worth sharing.
While there are some wildly modern and pneumatically aggressive outlaws out there, I took a different route. I wanted to retain the soul of the original stock engine, just with a bit more power and purpose. Enter John Willhoit, who supplied the engine and suspension components. For braking, I turned to CSP in Germany for a slotted and drilled disc brake setup.
The build was assembled locally here in Los Angeles by David Navon at Air Cooled Classics. The car is bumperless, a choice I feel gives it a cleaner, more refined outlaw aesthetic. Custom touches include drilled door handles and pedals, and a period-correct color—PTS Auratium Green—originally used from ’57–’59, adding a subtle nod to its outlaw identity, since this is a ’61.
It’s still running a 6-volt system, with the only exception being a high-torque starter to support the more powerful engine. Inside, I swapped the traditional 356 upholstery for houndstooth—a design element found more commonly in later 911s—because why not? This is an outlaw, after all.
I also sourced rare, original parts from overseas to bring a level of authenticity that honors the spirit of the car: a steering wheel from a Carrera 4-cam, GHE headlight guards from a GT, and genuine Bosch fog lamps once shared with Mercedes models of the era. (Yes, I even kept the beat-up old boxes they came in.)
To make it truly one-of-a-kind, I fabricated my own rear engine grille using mesh I found online—designed to complement the headlight guards and add another layer of detail. Every inch of this build has something unique to say.
At the end of the day, I built this car to drive. There’s a thrill in driving a slow car fast—and this 356 embodies that perfectly.
That is a STUNNING COLOR!!!
Aye, ranking the best 356 on the planet? How crazy are we? Who thought this was a good idea. I will say this for this particular example, that upholstery choice, the pedals, the leather lined carpets, and the perfect front pockets, whoever did this interior deserves a medal. And don’t get me started on that green paint. This is a hell of a job, but we’d have to start an Outlaw category no? Otherwise we’re going to have a Crusades-type battle on our hands with these. Gorgeous.