LOT 136
1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Super Coupe Coachwork by Reutter Karosserie Chassis no. 50194 Engine no. P 40194
Sold for US$246,400 inc. premium
Lot 136
An exceedingly rare, highly original 'barn find'
1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Super Coupe
1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Super Coupe
1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Super Coupe
Coachwork by Reutter Karosserie
Chassis no. 50194
Engine no. P 40194
Coachwork by Reutter Karosserie
Chassis no. 50194
Engine no. P 40194
1,498cc OHV Flat 4-Cylinder Engine
Dual Carburetors
70bhp at 5,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brake
*A rare and incredibly desirable piece of early Porsche history
*Discovered in a Munich warehouse, acquired by the consignor in 2021
*Matching numbers, early Type 528 two-piece crankcase engine
*Presented in its stunning and rare original color of Palm Green
*One of just 567 1500 Supers built in 1953
*Original, number stamped body panels
*Retains original interior and Telefunken radio
*Date-stamped tachometer and speedometer
*A Porsche collector's dream and an incredible opportunity
THE PORSCHE 356
Although Ferdinand Porsche had established his independent automotive design consultancy in the early 1930s, his name would not appear on a car until 1949. When it did, it graced one of the all-time great sports cars: the Porsche 356. The work of Ferry Porsche, the Type 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father, Ferdinand, and like the immortal 'Beetle' employed a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and all-independent torsion bar suspension.
Having commenced manufacture with a short run of aluminum-bodied cars built at the Gmünd, Austria-based old sawmill, Porsche began volume production of the steel-bodied 356 Coupe at its old base in Stuttgart, at first in premises shared with coachbuilders Reutter and then from 1955 in its original factory at Zuffenhausen. In 1951 a works car finished first in class at the Le Mans 24 Hours, thus beginning the marque's long and illustrious association with Le Sarthe.
Constant development saw the 356's engine progressively enlarged, and in 1952 the original split windscreen was replaced by a one-piece 'bent' screen and a Porsche synchromesh gearbox adopted. 1955 marked the arrival of the revised 356A, the newcomer being readily distinguished by its curved windscreen and 15" - down from 16" - wheels.
These early 'Pre-A' Porsche 356 models are today considered some of the most collectible and rare Porsche cars ever produced and are admired for their pure and clean design.
THE CAR OFFERED
Regardless of what type of cars we prefer, it is a collector's dream to discover an original example of their favorite machine, tucked away in a garage or barn – forgotten for decades and patiently waiting for someone (preferably us!) to come to the rescue. 'Barn Finds' are the stuff of legend in the motoring world, and they rarely cease to get our blood pumping. Offered here is a truly remarkable early Porsche, recently out of a decades-long slumber in a warehouse in Munich, Germany. This car, chassis number 50194, is a 1953 356 'Pre-A' Bent Windshield Coupe, equipped with the ultimate-spec 1500 Super engine. It is one of just 1,997 cars built by Porsche that year, and one of a mere 567 equipped with the Super engine.
Believed to be finished in its original and rare shade of Palm Green over beige interior, the consignor reports it retains its original, numbered body panels and is said to be remarkably free of significant corrosion. Additionally, the interior is original, and while some staining is evident on the door cards, the condition is such that it may not be beyond preservation. The consignor also reports that the tachometer and speedometer are rebuilt date-coded items, and the original Telefunken radio will accompany the car.
Beneath the rear decklid sits the original 1500 Super engine, with its early-type 2-piece crankcase. The Super featured a roller-bearing crank, different cam profiles, and larger Solex carburetors to boost power 70bhp – a handy bit of power in the featherweight Porsche. The engine number, P 40194, correctly corresponds to a '53 1500 S unit, and is original to this car.
The cars from Porsche's earliest days readily pique the interest of enthusiasts, and the offering of such a remarkably well-preserved example in 1500 Super specification is truly something special. This is one opportunity that surely should not be missed.
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Title in transit.
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