LOT 24
1957 Porsche 356A Speedster Coachwork by Reutter Chassis no. 83100 Engine no. P801530 (see text)
Estimate: US$285,000 - US$330,000
Lot 24
The ex-Glenn Hoffman, Bob Schreter
1957 Porsche 356A Speedster
1957 Porsche 356A Speedster
1957 Porsche 356A Speedster
Coachwork by Reutter
Chassis no. 83100
Engine no. P801530 (see text)
Coachwork by Reutter
Chassis no. 83100
Engine no. P801530 (see text)
1,582cc OHV Flat 4-Cylinder Engine
2 Weber 40 IDF Carburetors (see text)
90+ bhp at 5,500rpm
4-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Comprehensively documented history
*Finished as original in white
*Numerous performance upgrades
*Racing details including alloy 6 louver Carrera deck lid
*Offered with history file, restoration records, and Kardex
THE PORSCHE 356 SPEEDSTER
The Speedster's inspiration was credited to John von Neumann, the accomplished racer and Porsche's West Coast distributor, who had chopped down a Gmünd-built Coupe in the late 1940s to create a lightweight competition car. His counterpart on the East Coast, the highly influential Max Hoffman, liked the idea enough to convince Porsche to create a production version.
Instantly recognizable by its low, wraparound windscreen, small disappearing top, simplified side curtains, and twin bucket seats (all serving to emphasize its sporting image), the Speedster was, in effect, an 'economy' model intended to compete with the less-expensive British sports cars. Initially, the Speedster used a 1.5-liter version of Porsche's horizontally-opposed four, gaining the new 1.6-liter, 60bhp engine with the improved 356A for 1955. Priced at $2,995, the Speedster was the lightest of the 356s, with 100mph attainable thanks to its featherweight stature. Combined with its renowned handling and excellent value, the Speedster became an instant success in the burgeoning American sports car racing scene. Today, the Speedster is among the most desirable of all 356 variants and enjoys iconic status.
THE CAR OFFERED
This Speedster, chassis 83100, traces much of its history back to day one, with a copy of the Kardex on file showing it was supplied on March 27, 1957, via Autohaus Kahrmann in Fulda, one of the four main agencies supplying the home market. Based in the north-east of Frankfurt, they remain in business to this day. As it is offered here, it was delivered in white paint, but with a full red leatherette interior, and options including antenna and sealed beam headlights.
Very early in the car's life, 83100 came to American shores and has been here since at least the start of the 1960s, if not before. In the early 1960s it was owned by Glenn Hoffmann of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who raced it in SCCA E Production, eventually converting it to a 1500 Carrera engine. At that time, the car also gained a lightweight Carrera rear deck, high-rpm tachometer, and other racing bits, many purchased from the legendary and fearless Carrera Speedster racer Bruce Jennings of Townson, Maryland. Jennings most famous race car nicknamed 'Mehitabel' passed from him to Miles Collier and resides in the Revs Institute today.
Mr. Hoffman also honored Jennings' famous liveries with metallic burgundy painted 'scallops' to the front fenders of 83100. From Hoffman the car passed to Bob Schreter of Roswell, Georgia, who continued racing and hill-climbing the Speedster into the late 1960s. He would recall winning 'a lot' in the day. Staying in Georgia, 83100 moved on to Milton Bailey of Atlanta in the early 1970s. After this, the car essentially retired, passing through the hands of Kevin Heaney, Jack Gray and then Jerry Kendall, all also of Atlanta.
In March 1986, Kendall sold 83100 to John Summer of St. Petersburg, Florida, who was responsible for the restoration it wears today. At that time, the high-strung Carrera engine was replaced with a 1960 Super 90 unit '801530'. It remained nevertheless a hot car, with 40IDF Webers, and a type 741 transaxle with BAE3C GS/GT Hillclimb gears and limited-slip 633 final drive. Summer sold the Speedster in 1994 to Kevin Fiske in Washington State, before passing to long term ownership in Massachusetts. Numerous receipts and historical information accompany the sale.
With headlamp grilles, hood straps, louvered decklid, and fog lights, it retains a marvelously purposeful and racy look. The original deep bucket seats are now finished in black leatherette piped in red, and it features lift-latch style lap belts, and a lovely Les Leston steering wheel. Reported to go like a 'scalded cat', this is honest and well-presented Speedster has a well-charted history and is the ideal mount for high-speed classic rallies.
Additional information
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