Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 192
1964 Porsche 356C 1600 Cabriolet Coachwork by Coachwork by Reutter Chassis no. 160021 Engine no. 731365
Sold for €186,300 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 192
Delivered new to Germany
1964 Porsche 356C 1600 Cabriolet
1964 Porsche 356C 1600 Cabriolet
1964 Porsche 356C 1600 Cabriolet
Coachwork by Coachwork by Reutter
Chassis no. 160021
Engine no. 731365
Coachwork by Coachwork by Reutter
Chassis no. 160021
Engine no. 731365
• Rare EU-delivered example
• Striking Champagne Yellow over black leather from new
• Matching numbers engine
• Desirable disc-braked model and last-of the line 356
The work of Ferry Porsche, the 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. Regularly revised and updated, Porsche's landmark sports car would remain in production well into the 911 era, the final examples being built in 1965.
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, Reutter undertaking the bulk of production with significant contributions from Karmann of Osnabrück, Drauz of Heilbronn and d'Ieteren of Brussels.
Outwardly very similar to the final 356Bs, the ultimate 356C model arrived in 1963 sporting Dunlop-type four-wheel disc brakes - first seen on the 2.0-litre Carrera 2 - among numerous detail improvements. Engines available - both of 1.6 litres - were the 75bhp 'C' and 95bhp 'SC', the latter replacing the Super 90. In 1963 Reutter was taken over by Porsche, and from then onwards all 356 coupés and cabriolets were built in Stuttgart, with only the hardtop coupés entrusted to Karmann.
Reporting on the 356C in its February 1964 issue, Road & Track observed that the car was best suited to someone skilful enough to exploit its inherent characteristics to the full: "In the hands of an experienced Porsche driver, who can use the slight oversteer to his advantage on winding roads where right turn follows left in rapid sequence, it would present formidable opposition to any competing car." Sporting Motorist achieved a maximum of 180 km/h from its 1600SC, with 100 km/h arriving in 11.1 seconds. SM concluded: "The Porsche has always been a fiercely individualistic motor car and even after all these years it remains so. Smoother, quieter and more sophisticated than it used to be, it still remains very much a driver's car, with the indefinable ability to respond to the judgement and skill of the man behind the wheel." Sporting Motorist's scribe was writing more than 50 years ago but his words remain every bit as true today, succinctly explaining the enduring appeal of this legendary German sports car.
Unlike the majority of its fellows, which went to the USA, this Porsche 356C Cabriolet was delivered new in June 1964 to the Krauss dealership in Nurnberg, Germany for its first owner, Leopold von Ranke. The car was ordered in flamboyant Champagne Yellow with black leather interior (most were ordered with vinyl). The car remained in Germany until at least 1965 when it was serviced by Porsche at 26,500 kilometres. It is believed the car went to the USA later in its life.
In 2003 the car was in Italy (an ASI document is on file) and it remained there until 2012, moving to Germany where some refurbishment was carried out. An older restoration, holding up very well, the car has been used infrequently, lately residing in a prominent collection and kept mainly on static display. Accompanying documentation includes sundry invoices for work carried out; German registration documents and TüV; and a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity confirming matching numbers engine and colours.
• Striking Champagne Yellow over black leather from new
• Matching numbers engine
• Desirable disc-braked model and last-of the line 356
The work of Ferry Porsche, the 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. Regularly revised and updated, Porsche's landmark sports car would remain in production well into the 911 era, the final examples being built in 1965.
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, Reutter undertaking the bulk of production with significant contributions from Karmann of Osnabrück, Drauz of Heilbronn and d'Ieteren of Brussels.
Outwardly very similar to the final 356Bs, the ultimate 356C model arrived in 1963 sporting Dunlop-type four-wheel disc brakes - first seen on the 2.0-litre Carrera 2 - among numerous detail improvements. Engines available - both of 1.6 litres - were the 75bhp 'C' and 95bhp 'SC', the latter replacing the Super 90. In 1963 Reutter was taken over by Porsche, and from then onwards all 356 coupés and cabriolets were built in Stuttgart, with only the hardtop coupés entrusted to Karmann.
Reporting on the 356C in its February 1964 issue, Road & Track observed that the car was best suited to someone skilful enough to exploit its inherent characteristics to the full: "In the hands of an experienced Porsche driver, who can use the slight oversteer to his advantage on winding roads where right turn follows left in rapid sequence, it would present formidable opposition to any competing car." Sporting Motorist achieved a maximum of 180 km/h from its 1600SC, with 100 km/h arriving in 11.1 seconds. SM concluded: "The Porsche has always been a fiercely individualistic motor car and even after all these years it remains so. Smoother, quieter and more sophisticated than it used to be, it still remains very much a driver's car, with the indefinable ability to respond to the judgement and skill of the man behind the wheel." Sporting Motorist's scribe was writing more than 50 years ago but his words remain every bit as true today, succinctly explaining the enduring appeal of this legendary German sports car.
Unlike the majority of its fellows, which went to the USA, this Porsche 356C Cabriolet was delivered new in June 1964 to the Krauss dealership in Nurnberg, Germany for its first owner, Leopold von Ranke. The car was ordered in flamboyant Champagne Yellow with black leather interior (most were ordered with vinyl). The car remained in Germany until at least 1965 when it was serviced by Porsche at 26,500 kilometres. It is believed the car went to the USA later in its life.
In 2003 the car was in Italy (an ASI document is on file) and it remained there until 2012, moving to Germany where some refurbishment was carried out. An older restoration, holding up very well, the car has been used infrequently, lately residing in a prominent collection and kept mainly on static display. Accompanying documentation includes sundry invoices for work carried out; German registration documents and TüV; and a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity confirming matching numbers engine and colours.
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