Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 33 Ω
1961 Porsche 356B Roadster Coachwork by d'Ieteren Freres Chassis no. 89024 Engine no. 604575
Sold for US$252,000 inc. premium
Lot 33Ω
1961 Porsche 356B Roadster
1961 Porsche 356B Roadster
Coachwork by d'Ieteren Freres
Chassis no. 89024
Engine no. 604575
Coachwork by d'Ieteren Freres
Chassis no. 89024
Engine no. 604575
1,720cc OHV Flat 4-Cylinder Engine (see text)
Dual Solex Carburetors
80bhp at 4,500rpm (approx.)
4-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Delivered new to Philadelphia
*Numbers matching example
*Single ownership since 1999
*Beautifully restored
THE 356B ROADSTER
U.S. Porsche importer Max Hoffman asked Porsche to build a bare, lightweight, simple 356. His vision saw the potential for a lower cost, lighter, more nimble Porsche to build the marque's reputation in ever more popular SCCA racing and putting the 356 within the budgets of more American drivers.
Porsche responded with the 1954 Speedster which more than met Hoffman's expectations. A proven success both on the track and in leaving Porsche dealers' showrooms, the low top, side curtain, bare bones Speedster spawned a more comfortable 356A Convertible D. Introduction of the T-5 generation 356, the 356B, in 1960 brought the final iteration of the speedster, now known as the Roadster.
The Roadster offered greater comfort and, like the Convertible D, rollup windows and a more secure top its sporting purpose continued from the original Speedster. The separate windshield could be removed to reduce aero drag on the race track. The more luxurious cabriolet had a fixed windshield frame. Most were built with bodies by Drauz, but in 1961 the final Roadsters had bodies by d'Ieteren Freres in Belgium.
The 356B Roadster by d'Ieteren Freres is considered one of the most desirable early Porsches being better driving and more comfortable than earlier Speedsters, more attractive than a Cabriolet and improved steering and transaxle.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1961 356B Roadster was originally purchased from Porsche importer Hoffman Motors by Robert Barry of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, possibly the Conceptual artist who was at that time a student at Hunter College. It was acquired in the U.S. in 1999 by the present Australian owner who immediately began a complete restoration to preserve its complete numbers-matching condition, entrusted to specialists with extensive Porsche history, experience and contacts.
The tub was repaired, rebuilt and refinished by David Pullman with paint by Romeo Battilana at Edwardstown Motor Repairs in the standard Porsche Silver of the time with black leatherette upholstery, correct period-style carpet material and a new Robbins top in black cloth with a matching custom made tonneau cover.
The engine was rebuilt under the supervision of Alan Hamilton, previously the Managing Director of Porsche Cars in Australia, who suggested fitting a factory-supplied big bore kit bringing the displacement to 1,720cc. Work was performed by Eddy Hackel, former Service Manager at Porsche Cars Australia. Likewise, the transaxle was rebuilt by Porsche specialist Charles Appel in Brisbane.
Attention to detail throughout is to the highest standards. In its October 1961 Porsche road test Road & Track magazine noted "the extraordinarily high standards of finish and workmanship." Those standards have been met and exceeded in the restoration and preservation.
It is a complete numbers-matching car with its original engine case and transaxle, confirmed by a copy of the Porsche Kardex. Since being completed it has been enjoyed on the road where its Big Bore engine has excellent high-end power and abundant low rpm torque. At the same time it has been maintained in concours-ready condition.
Only 475 Porsche 356B Roadsters were built by d'Ieteren Freres. High quality, good looking, rare and fun to drive the owner believes "they just might be the best Porsche ever made."
Dual Solex Carburetors
80bhp at 4,500rpm (approx.)
4-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Delivered new to Philadelphia
*Numbers matching example
*Single ownership since 1999
*Beautifully restored
THE 356B ROADSTER
U.S. Porsche importer Max Hoffman asked Porsche to build a bare, lightweight, simple 356. His vision saw the potential for a lower cost, lighter, more nimble Porsche to build the marque's reputation in ever more popular SCCA racing and putting the 356 within the budgets of more American drivers.
Porsche responded with the 1954 Speedster which more than met Hoffman's expectations. A proven success both on the track and in leaving Porsche dealers' showrooms, the low top, side curtain, bare bones Speedster spawned a more comfortable 356A Convertible D. Introduction of the T-5 generation 356, the 356B, in 1960 brought the final iteration of the speedster, now known as the Roadster.
The Roadster offered greater comfort and, like the Convertible D, rollup windows and a more secure top its sporting purpose continued from the original Speedster. The separate windshield could be removed to reduce aero drag on the race track. The more luxurious cabriolet had a fixed windshield frame. Most were built with bodies by Drauz, but in 1961 the final Roadsters had bodies by d'Ieteren Freres in Belgium.
The 356B Roadster by d'Ieteren Freres is considered one of the most desirable early Porsches being better driving and more comfortable than earlier Speedsters, more attractive than a Cabriolet and improved steering and transaxle.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1961 356B Roadster was originally purchased from Porsche importer Hoffman Motors by Robert Barry of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, possibly the Conceptual artist who was at that time a student at Hunter College. It was acquired in the U.S. in 1999 by the present Australian owner who immediately began a complete restoration to preserve its complete numbers-matching condition, entrusted to specialists with extensive Porsche history, experience and contacts.
The tub was repaired, rebuilt and refinished by David Pullman with paint by Romeo Battilana at Edwardstown Motor Repairs in the standard Porsche Silver of the time with black leatherette upholstery, correct period-style carpet material and a new Robbins top in black cloth with a matching custom made tonneau cover.
The engine was rebuilt under the supervision of Alan Hamilton, previously the Managing Director of Porsche Cars in Australia, who suggested fitting a factory-supplied big bore kit bringing the displacement to 1,720cc. Work was performed by Eddy Hackel, former Service Manager at Porsche Cars Australia. Likewise, the transaxle was rebuilt by Porsche specialist Charles Appel in Brisbane.
Attention to detail throughout is to the highest standards. In its October 1961 Porsche road test Road & Track magazine noted "the extraordinarily high standards of finish and workmanship." Those standards have been met and exceeded in the restoration and preservation.
It is a complete numbers-matching car with its original engine case and transaxle, confirmed by a copy of the Porsche Kardex. Since being completed it has been enjoyed on the road where its Big Bore engine has excellent high-end power and abundant low rpm torque. At the same time it has been maintained in concours-ready condition.
Only 475 Porsche 356B Roadsters were built by d'Ieteren Freres. High quality, good looking, rare and fun to drive the owner believes "they just might be the best Porsche ever made."
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