1959 Porsche 356A 1600 Coupé

• Delivered new in Sweden
• Matching-numbers Type 616/1 60bhp engine
• Professionally restored between 2001 and 2005 (records available)
• Extensive history file

The work of Ferdinand Porsche's son, 'Ferry', the 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father. Manufacture commenced in 1948 with a short run of aluminium-bodied cars built at Gmünd before Porsche began volume production of the steel-bodied 356 coupé at its old base in Stuttgart, at first in premises shared with coachbuilders Reutter and then (from 1955) in its original factory at Zuffenhausen. The Porsche 356 set a new standard for small sports cars on its arrival and would prove adaptable to all forms of motor sport including circuit racing and rallying. The year 1955 marked the arrival of the revised 356A model, the newcomer being readily distinguished by its curved windscreen and 15" - down from 16" - wheels. 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.

Sold new in Sweden in 1959, this Porsche 356A 1600 Coupé has the 60bhp Type 616/1 engine and comes with a Porsche Certificate; the latter confirms it has matching numbers and was ordered finished in silver metallic with beige leatherette/corduroy interior, the latter equipped with optional safety belts.

The first owner was one Nils Henriksson from Stockholm, who owned the car, carrying the registration 'AA3520', until November 1963. Nils traded in the Porsche at Förenade Bil, Brahegatan 38 in Stockholm. It was then bought by Lars Holmberg of Örebro on 19th October 1964. He owned the Porsche, re-registered as 'T34560', until 3rd July 1970, when the car failed the recently introduced traffic safety vehicle inspection test (MoT). Lars Holmberg kept the car laid up in a garage in Örebro from 1970 until 2001 when he sold it to Nichlas Gatensjö. Mr Gatensjö commissioned a complete renovation of the car by Lars-Åke Ingsten, the well-known and highly respected Porsche and Volkswagen renovation specialist in Helsingborg, Sweden. The renovation was carried out between 2001 and 2005.

In 2007 the engine was uprated to 1,720cc with Shasta pistons, Super camshaft, SC heads with electronic ignition system. This engine work was carried out by Fredrik Buchaus in Sigtuna, Sweden.

The car comes with swedish registration documents and comprehensive documentation including photographs of the renovation, inspection reports and invoices. Also on file is extensive documentation from the 1960s, including a copy of the chassis card from Scania-Vabis (the Swedish Porsche importer at the time); the card is dated 11th February 1959 and records some warranty work on the car at the time.