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Porsche wouldn't be where it is today without this iconic roadster, but the 356 had its fair share of flaws.

Today, Porsche is one of the world's most desirable and respected car brands. Success didn't happen overnight, and in order to produce its first vehicle, the brand relied heavily on Volkswagen. The Beetle was the source of many components, and the similarity between it and the Porsche 356 is clear to see.

The 356 became a sales success, with many buyers using the car for both road and track use. The car offered a great package, but wasn't perfect. Here are eight things we love about the Porsche 356 and two reasons why we wouldn't buy one.

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Looking back to 1948, Ferdinand Porsche started building cars for the now legendary brand with just 200 employees. The 356 is a highly significant model in the company's history, as it was the first commissioned production Porsche. Approximately 76,000 examples were built during its production run, with a large proportion sent to the US market.

Everything we know and love about Porsche today can trace its origins back to the 356 in some way. The car is an intrinsic part of Porsche's DNA.

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The stunningly curvy body of the 356 was designed by Porsche employee Erwin Komenda. The compact design was deliberate, with Ferdinand Porsche favoring smaller powerful cars.

The shape has frequently been likened to an upside-down bathtub. Despite this comparison, the 356 was actually very aerodynamically efficient, with its curvy design helping it slip through the air.

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While the Porsche 356 was also available as a coupe and a roadster, it was arguably the convertible that looked the most glamorous. The car was particularly popular among buyers in California, being the perfect vehicle to cruise along the coast.

Given the lack of air conditioning, the open-top design would have easily been the most comfortable body style on a sun-soaked day.

Early production models featured a Volkswagen-designed 1.1-liter, four-cylinder engine. Around 40 hp were generated by the unit, and in subsequent generations, the car was given more power.

Four major generations of the car were made, the first being simply named the 356 or "Pre-A." Subsequent generations were split into a "A","B" and "C" naming structure. Just like the Porsches of today, the engine featured a "boxer" configuration and was located in the rear.

When new, the Porsche 356 represented excellent value for money. Retailing for around $3,750-4,000, there were few competitors which could match it for price.

Being a desirable classic vehicle, values have soared. The coupe is now worth around $75,000-100,000, while the cabriolet is worth even more. A 1954 example in good condition, is currently valued by Hagerty at a whopping $193,000.

A Porsche-designed engine known as the "Carrera," was fitted to the Porsche 550 Spyder racing cars. Having proved its worth on track, the unit was subsequently fitted to the 356.

The engine was a four-cam design and had 1.5 liters of displacement. Putting out 115 hp, it was a relative powerhouse, something which appealed to many buyers. Known as the 356 Carrera Speedster GS, it was optimized for on-road performance.

The most exclusive version of the 356, was arguably the Speedster Carrera GS/GT. Specifically tuned for track use, the GT was in many ways the equivalent of a GT3 RS today.

The car was stripped of "luxuries", there was no heater, and the side windows were made of lightweight Perspex.

As well as looking the part, the 356 was a genuinely satisfying driver's car. The steering was light but precise, responding accurately to steering inputs.

Being lightweight, the 356 was agile, and able to corner at surprising speed.

Despite being a great driver's car in many regards, the 356 is not perfect. The pedal box is extremely cramped, even for its time.

Going from a modern car to a 356 could prove to be extremely challenging, with it being all to easy to depress the wrong pedal. While this is something you would probably get used to up to a point, it does detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the pedals are offset to the left, resulting in an uncomfortable driving position.

Those in the market for a 356, need to be extremely vigilant and well-informed. Unfortunately, the body was not galvanized or rustproofed, and consequently, it can be prone to corrosion.

In some cases the rust can be very widespread, compromising structural integrity. The cars used in damp, humid climates or in salted environments are disproportionately affected.

Benjamin has always had an interest in all things automotive. He is a keen follower of Formula One, and is particularly enjoying watching the rise of George Russell and Lando Norris. He is most knowledgeable about modern cars, but is learning more and more about classics. Currently based just North of London.