1960 Porsche 356B 1600S T5 Cabriolet

Registration no. PSL 997 Chassis no. 153145

Footnotes

One of the all-time great sports cars, the 356 was the work of Ferry Porsche, who had been inspired by the FIAT-based Cisitalias of Piero Dusio. Ferry's 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father, and like the immortal 'Beetle' employed a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and all-independent torsion bar suspension. Introduced in 1948, the Porsche 356 set a new standard for small sports cars and proved adaptable to all forms of motor sport including circuit racing and rallying. In 1951 a works car finished first in the 1,100cc class at the Le Mans 24-Hour Race, thus beginning the marque's long and illustrious association with La Sarthe.

Cabriolets had been manufactured right from the start of 356 production, but the first open Porsche to make a significant impact was the Speedster, introduced in 1954 following the successful reception in the USA of a batch of 15 special roadsters. The Reutter-bodied Speedster was dropped in 1958 and replaced by the more civilised Convertible D, which differed principally by virtue of its larger windscreen and winding side windows. Porsche sub-contracted cabriolet body construction to a number of different coachbuilders including Drauz of Heilbronn, d'Ieteren of Brussels and its long-time collaborator and close neighbour, Reutter.

By the time the 356B arrived in September 1959, the car had gained a one-piece rounded windscreen and 15"-diameter wheels, and the newcomer's introduction brought with it further styling revisions. The engine, now standardised at 1,600cc, was available in three different stages of tune, the most powerful - apart from the four-cam Carrera - being the 90bhp unit of the Super 90. The 356B represents significant advances in driveability and comfort over earlier 356 models, and is a pleasingly quick way to enjoy the traditional Porsche values of quality, reliability and mechanical robustness.

Right-hand drive chassis number '153145' was delivered from Stuttgart to its first owner, Noren Helge of Skellefteå, Sweden and registered there on the 4th April 1960 (Sweden drove on the left at this time, hence the RHD configuration). Helge kept the car for four years before selling it to a Mr Simon Bostrum of Skellefteå in August 1964. The car next changed hands in April 1966, passing to its fourth owner in 1968.

On 20th May 1970, the car travelled south to Stockholm when it was sold to a Mr Ake. In 1976 the Porsche was purchased by Per Horlen, who undertook a thorough restoration, including an engine rebuild, which was completed in 1977. A world-renowned Bugatti collector, Horlen kept the car until 1999 when it passed to Michael Olsson, who brokered a deal with a Mr Bromwich of Shropshire, UK. Bromwich undertook the car's second restoration in 2000 (bills on file). On completion, the Porsche was entered in the Meguiar's Concours at the NEC Classic Car Show, receiving a 1st-place award and featuring extensively in the Sky documentary 'The Classic Car Club'. A copy of the DVD is in the file.

The Porsche changed hands again in 2006, passing to Mr Gallannaugh of Wimbledon. In 2013 the engine - from a Super 90 - was rebuilt by marque specialists Charles Ivey, and the car has covered fewer than 300 miles since then. In addition, world-renowned Porsche 356 expert Roger Bray undertook a further £22,000-worth of mechanical works in March 2017.

Offered with an extensive history file dating back to when it was new, containing among other documents a Porsche Letter of Origin and a host of MoTs stretching back to its arrival in the UK in 2000, this rare original right-hand drive T5 Cabriolet has enjoyed enthusiastic ownership all its life and will surpass expectations.