$175,500
Distinguished by their severely chopped windshields, stripped-out interiors, and emergency-only rain tops, 356 Speedsters were special, limited production machines, even by the vaunted standards of early Porsche sports cars.
Targeted directly at America’s west coast sunbelt, only 3,676 Speedsters were made during a brief 1955-1958 run, a figure representing just a small fraction of total 356 production during the time.
Distinguished by their severely chopped windshields, stripped-out interiors, and emergency-only rain tops, 356 Speedsters were special, limited production machines, even by the vaunted standards of early Porsche sports cars.
Targeted directly at America’s west coast sunbelt, only 3,676 Speedsters were made during a brief 1955-1958 run, a figure representing just a small fraction of total 356 production during the time.
We are confident that this car began as a legitimate, Porsche-built Speedster, though it now wears a California-issued VIN, necessitated by a past attempt to claim another Speedster’s identity.
Please see the full image gallery for two detailed Porsche specialist evaluations and other correspondence pertaining to the car’s history.
The car wears what is believed to be original Reutter steel bodywork, and presents as highly accurate with complete, correct trim. Wheels are Porsche items as well. The occasional use top appears to fit correctly, and sale includes impossibly short factory style side curtains.
Note the Reutter coachwork badges - prior to changing its business to seats and its name to Recaro, the company built bodywork for the 356.
The car shows nicely inside as well, with correct lightweight Speedster style seats, German square weave carpets, and beautiful green-on-black VDO gauges. The white factory style knob located behind the shifter operates the car’s heater, and the steering wheel is a high quality Moto-Lita item fitted with a Porsche crest. Note the vertical rod on which the rear view mirror can be adjusted up or down, as well as the minimalist door panels.
Power comes from a Porsche boxer four believed to be a 1600. The 4-speed manual transaxle is also a Porsche unit, dating from 1958 and fitted with Speedster spec gears.
Much more detailed analysis of the car’s mechanicals is viewable in the above-mentioned specialist evaluation documents - please see the full image gallery.
The car is sold with extensive documentation, much of it pertaining to professional evaluations, and is titled by an assigned California VIN as a “1956 Porsche Speedster”. Per the state of California, the car is a “special construction”.
Porsche 356’s are amazing driver’s cars, particularly A-on examples with improved steering, suspension, and more power. Speedsters take the fun up another notch, but with fewer than 4,000 made over a very brief period, original examples now routinely fetch $350k or more, potentially limiting opportunities for their practical use.
VW-based, fiberglass-bodied replicas are relatively inexpensive alternatives, but Porsche built cars remain on an entirely different plane.
With its steel Reutter bodywork and Porsche engine, the auction car represents a unique middle ground, and could be equally well-suited to vintage racing, TSD rallies, or use as a weekend canyon carver. Estimated $70,000 - $90,000.
Seller
Private: undefinedViewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.
