Norse power: from boxer to battery

Like so many enthusiasts, graphic designer Martin’s entry point into the world of Porsche actually came via the more humble and affordable Volkswagens of the era. “The first one I bought was a 1966 Volkswagen bus, followed by a Beetle,” he recalls today. “And it was that car that got me looking at both the 356 and early 911. Initially I really wanted a 356 but couldn’t afford one, so I bought a Speedster replica based on a VW chassis. Prices for the real cars were still going up and up, however, so the first Porsche I bought was a 911T, which I found on eBay in the US. It needed a lot of work, much of which I undertook myself, and it’s in great shape now.”

The 911 became a permanent fixture of the Sundvoll-Noreng household, but Martin still hankered after the 356 that had originally piqued his interest all those years ago. And eventually he managed to find one in neighbouring Sweden. The 1959 Coupé was in solid but unrestored condition and Martin decided to preserve its patina while discreetly improving its drivability. Lowered suspension and a new but stock engine last winter mean it is now a reliable and occasionally competitive daily driver.

With the 356 Coupé on the rally stage 

“We drive it a lot during the summer now, and Ann-Mari uses it to drive to work,” says Martin. “We’ve recently driven together on a small rally stage as part of a big VW and Porsche meet here in Norway. And even raced it on a local circuit once.” “There aren’t that many people in Norway using their cars like this,” adds his wife, Ann-Mari. “Most tend to have their cars on trailers, tow them to meets and just onload them for a while then load them back on. They don’t really use their cars. But I feel like you have to drive them. That’s the Porsche way!”

It’s a great philosophy, but one that presents a problem when, as the Sundvoll-Norengs did, you discover you’re going to have a baby. As much as the pair adore driving their 356, both admit that the rear seats of a 60-year-old car are no place for a newborn. Happily, in a country where more than 50 per cent of cars on the roads are electric, the Sundvoll-Norengs were already well on their way to Taycan ownership.

The Taycan 4S became the new daily driver

“We started thinking about buying one the moment we saw the first images,” says Martin. “The more we saw and read, the more we wanted one. So we were pretty early on the waiting list.” After a two-year wait, their Carrara White Metallic Taycan 4S was finally ready for collection at Porsche Centre Oslo and instantly became the new daily driver. “In the beginning we were fighting over who was going to drive it to the shops,” laughs Ann-Mari. “But now, I always take it.”

Which leaves Martin, who is on the board of Norway’s 356 owners’ club, happy to grab the keys to his beloved classic. “It’s quite special to have the original Porsche and the latest model side by side in our garage,” he says. “They couldn’t be more different – one famously simple, the other incredibly advanced. The contrast is huge, but you can still feel that connection between the two when you drive them together. That Porsche spirit.”