Sonauto

PORSCHE 356
(and 912)
Serial Number Reference Site

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Sonauto

Porsche 356's sold in France were distributed through a company called Sonauto. They attached a tag with their address and the car's oil requirements to the car (the engine fan shroud). I am aware of 3 different versions of the tag, and am trying to determine when these tags were used, and where they were placed.

They also placed a badge on the exterior of the cars. Scroll down this page for more information on these.

If you have a 356 with any of these tags, please let me know your serial number and where the tag is placed: eric@356a.com

1953 version

Original (French)	English translation
AUTOMOBILES PORSCHE E^TS SONAUTO, 83, Rue La Boétie, Paris 8^e AGENT GENERAL POUR LA FRANCE GRAISSAGE Utiliser exclusivement MOTEUR EN TOUTES SAISONS: CASTROLITE PAR FORTES CHALEURS: CASTROL XL BOITE DE VITESSES: CASTROL HYPOY 90	PORSCHE AUTOMOBILES SONAUTO - general agent for France (address) GREASE use only MOTOR: in all seasons CASTROLITE, in extreme heat CASTROL XL GEARBOX: CASTROL HYPOY 90

This is the earliest "Sonauto" tag that I have seen. It is on engine P*32251, which dates from late 1953:

1955-57 version:

Original (French) English translation

AUTOMOBILES PORSCHE

E^TS SONAUTO - Importateur exclusif pour la France

22, Rue Paul-Valéry - Paris - 16^e - Tél. PASsy 61-06

GRAISSAGE

Utiliser exclusivement

MOTEUR: EN TOUTES SAISONS: CASTROL cr30

BOITE DE VITESSES: CASTROL HYPOY 90

PORSCHE AUTOMOBILES
SONAUTO - exclusive importer for France
(address/phone)
GREASE
use only
MOTOR: in all seasons CASTROL CR30
GEARBOX: CASTROL HYPOY 90

"Sonauto" tag on an early 1600S, P*80882, which dates from early 1957. Sonauto apparently moved between late 1953 and November 1955, as can be seen from the different address on the tag. Note the placement of the tag on the shroud above the generator in the photo on the left.

The earliest car I have seen the "22 Rue Paul-Valéry" tag on is a 550 delivered in November 1955. See the photo on this page at Taj Magaraj: http://www.tajmagaraj.com/images/jewels/550spyder/gallery/30.jpg. There appear to be holes with the correct spacing (see below) for an exterior script below the "Porsche" script on the back of this car: http://www.tajmagaraj.com/images/jewels/550spyder/gallery/44.jpg (also see other photos: http://www.tajmagaraj.com/Museum/550spyder_gallery.php)

1964 version:

Original (French) English translation

AUTOMOBILES PORSCHE

E^TS SONAUTO - Importateur exclusif pour la France

22, Rue Paul-Valéry - Paris - 16^e - Tél. PASsy 61-06

GRAISSAGE

Utiliser exclusivement

MOTEUR: Eté: CASTROL 30

Hiver: CASTROL 20W20

BOITE DE VITESSES: CASTROL HYPOY 90

PORSCHE AUTOMOBILES
SONAUTO - exclusive importer for France
(address/phone)
GREASE
use only
MOTOR: summer: CASTROL 30

winter: CASTROL 20W20
GEARBOX: CASTROL HYPOY 90

I only have one data point for this version from a June 1964 delivered car. It may have been used before this time. The photo below is of a reproduction badge that was available 5-10 years ago.

Exterior (body) badges:

Below - A "Sonauto" script that was used somewhere on the exterior of the car. I was told by the owner of Sonauto-delivered 1957 coupe (VIN 58285) that he had holes on the decklid to the right of the grill. I have also heard from other owners that a badge was placed on the body centered just below the engine grill (either on the decklid above the gap, or on the body below the gap).

Above - on a 1960 356B Coupe

Reproductions of this badge have been sold on eBay over the past year (as of Summer 2007).

No affiliation with or approval of Porsche AG or Porsche Cars North America is intended or implied.