LOT 145
1957 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster Coachwork by Reutter Chassis no. 83543 Engine no. 66130
Sold for US$472,500 inc. premium
Lot 145
1957 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster
1957 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster
Coachwork by Reutter
Chassis no. 83543
Engine no. 66130
Coachwork by Reutter
Chassis no. 83543
Engine no. 66130
1,582cc OHV Flat 4-Cylinder Engine
2 Solex 32PB1C Carburetors
60bhp at 4,500rpm
4-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*The archetypal, unfiltered 1950s sports car
*Finished in a gorgeous shade of Aquamarine Blue from new
*Beautiful red leather-trimmed cockpit
*Fastidious 3.5-year nut and bolt restoration by marque experts to factory correct standards *Meticulous detailing inside and out
*Reportedly with one owner from new until 2013
*Retains matching numbers engine and original body panels
*Offered with owner's manual, jack, tool bag, restoration records, Kardex and COA
THE PORSCHE 356 SPEEDSTER
The Speedster's inspiration was often credited to John von Neumann, Porsche's West Coast distributor, who had chopped down a Gmünd-built Coupe in the late 1940s to create a lightweight competition car. Explaining such a car's appeal Neumann once said: 'Guys want to go on a Saturday night in June, down Sunset Boulevard with their elbow over the door and the girls can see them in the car.' Plus ça change...
Instantly recognizable by virtue of its low, wraparound windscreen, smaller and entirely retractable top, lower door waistline and twin bucket seats (all of which served to emphasize its sporting image), the Speedster was, in effect, an 'economy' model from Porsche intended to compete with the less-expensive British sports cars. While the concept for the car was von Neumann's, it was Max Hoffman who convinced Porsche that American buyers would gobble it up. The Speedster initially arrived with the 1500 version of Porsche's horizontally opposed four, gaining the new 1600, 60bhp engine with the introduction of the improved 356A for 1955.
Priced at $2,995, the Speedster was the lightest of the 356s, enjoying a commensurate performance boost that meant 100mph was possible. Combined with its renowned handling characteristics, the Speedster became an instant success in the burgeoning American sports car racing scene. Its combination of style, performance and value for money made the Speedster deservedly popular. Today the model, arguably the most handsome of the 356 variants, enjoys iconic status and is cherished by collectors worldwide.
THE CAR OFFERED
Completed at Porsche's Zuffenhausen works in July of 1957, this 356A Speedster was built in the transitional era of the T1 and T2 356A model production. Documentation shows this Speedster rolled out of the factory in the striking and desirable Aquamarineblau (Aquamarine Blue) color. Like most Speedsters, this car was equipped for the US market, and fitted with sealed beam headlights, US-type bumpers and gauges. According to a copy of the car's factory Kardex the new Speedster was exported to the US and delivered through Hoffman Imports to its first owner.
It is believed to have gone from Hoffman to the Pacific Northwest, where it is said to have resided in Washington State. The car reportedly remained with the same Washington-state based owner, before being laid up in dry storage, until purchased by the previous owner - a Southern California-based Porsche expert and enthusiast - in 2013. What intrigued the previous owner about this Speedster was how original and unmolested the car was. It had been kept in dry storage, so therefore had very little rust, and is said to have retained the original matching-numbers doors as well as front and rear deck lids. Furthermore, the original matching-numbers engine was in situ, and the F-code ignition key and switch present. The rare and desirable Speedster was indeed the ideal example to bring back to its former glory, and the consignor decided to embark on a comprehensive, nut and bolt restoration.
A PCA Concours and Porsche enthusiast who demands top quality and authenticity, the previous owner enlisted renowned Porsche experts to bring the Speedster up to impeccable restored condition. The 42-month restoration was completed in February of 2018, and the result is immediately apparent upon close examination of the Porsche, even today. Original parts were kept and restored instead of replaced where possible and, if a new part was needed, efforts were made to source an original, new-old-stock piece as opposed to the cheaper option of an aftermarket item. The Speedster's original body panels were retained, and the front hood, engine lid, door jamb panels and both doors are all numbered '543' corresponding to the Certificate of Authenticity and Kardex. Much of the restoration was performed by 356-expert and PCA concours judge Tom Drummond III of Costa Mesa, California. The original instruments were fully refurbished by Hollywood Speedometer of Hollywood, California, while chrome and bright work was refinished by professionals as well. The transaxle - numbered closely to the original unit but of the improved T2 type – along with the original matching numbers engine, were rebuilt by renowned Porsche 4-cam specialist, Chuck Young, also of Costa Mesa. The work was finished to the highest standards possible, and, per the car's original build records, the car was refinished with proper Glasurit 22-line single-stage paint in its as-delivered from new Aquamarine Blue. The cabin is trimmed in a beautiful Oxblood interior with correct Oatmeal-colored carpets. A period correct Hard Top was fully restored and fitted to the car - a very desirable and rare feature on a Speedster costing more than $25,000 in restoration efforts alone - while a black soft top and weather equipment was sewn up in correct German materials. The restored wheels are said to be correct date-coded parts, and are wrapped with appropriate Vredestein Classic tires.
A meticulous restoration in every respect, even details that are oft-unseen have been addressed – from proper sized factory nuts and bolts, the ignition switch and key, aluminum master brake reservoir, correct canvas spare tire hold down strap, safety hood release pull, Porsche fan belt, valve stem clips and period wheel weights. All in all, the Speedster received a full restoration to exacting specifications, with several PCA judges overseeing the process to makes sure all was done the right way.
Since its restoration, this 356 Speedster remains in superb condition, with credentials to go compete at the most discerning Concours d'Elegance and PCA events globally, or use on some of the top driving events one would want to enter. Acquired by the current owner in 2018 from Bonhams, this stunning 356 has been fastidiously maintained in their ownership and is ready for show or any number of prestigious driving events, this Speedster is offered with its Porsche-issued Certificate of Authenticity, a copy of the original build sheet (Kardex), a jack, owner's manual and tool bag, as well as many photos and receipts from its fastidious restoration.
Additional information
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