Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 156635
Engine No. 702182
Transmission No. 54984
According to a digital copy of the original Porsche factory
warranty card, or Kardex as its officially referred to, this
charming 356 B 1600 Super was completed at the Zuffenhausen-based
Porsche factory during Spring of 1962, in the desirable "T6"
Cabriolet configuration, with the Reutter-built bodywork painted
Rubinrot (Ruby Red) and the well-appointed interior trimmed in
Black, just as is appears today. The Porsche was equipped with the
higher-horsepower Super engine, which it retains today, along with
its matching four-speed transaxle. The selling dealer was
Competition Motors of Hollywood, California, the now-legendary
authorized agent for many exotic European sportscars, catering to
both the Rich and Famous as well as the exciting SoCal sports and
racing scene during the 1950s and 1960s, run by accomplished
businessman and racing driver Johnny von Neumann. Further
bolstering the history this well-kept 356 is the original service
book accompanying the car, which corresponds with the Kardex of
course, and denotes that the first owner was a Mr. Guert Axler of
Beverly Hills, CA. The first stamps in the service book are done at
the Porsche HQs and denotes "Stuttgart" as delivery place on April
13, 1962, so it is evident that Mr. Axler would have taken factory
delivery of his new Ruby Red Porsche 356 Super Cabriolet and surely
toured the capable sports car around Europe for the next few weeks.
A couple service notes are made on the Kardex at German Porsche
agencies, before Competition Motors would take on further servicing
later in 1962, when the new Porsche would have landed in
California.
It remains unclear for how long Mr. Axler would keep his Porsche in
Beverly Hills, but the car retains its old black/yellow California
license plates to this day - both front and back - and a thick
stack of year registration stickers are affixed to the back one,
indication this car likely never left California. The history picks
up about a decade ago, when the Cabriolet was treated to an
exterior repaint in the original Ruby Red color, refurbishment of
the original chrome and brightwork, replacement of the Black
convertible top in the correct padded canvas material, and a
professional retrim of the interior in Black as original, overseen
by PCA Judge Tom Drummond of Costa Mesa, California. It was evident
at the time - as it is now - that the Porsche has led a sheltered
life in the mild California climate, retaining its original body
panels and matching numbers 1600 Super engine and transaxle.
Today this desirable 356 B "T6" Super Cabriolet presents very much
like it did when first released to its first Beverly Hills owner in
April of 1962 at the Porsche works, courtesy of legendary dealer
Competition Motors. The exterior paint and interior have settled in
nicely since being professionally redone, while the engine
compartment has been kept preserved and original. This lovely
Black-plate California car is offered with the aforementioned
digital copy of the factory Kardex confirming its matching numbers
status and early history, as well as the original Porsche pamphlet
containing the original service book, a Blaupunkt manual for the
elegant radio still adorning the dashboard and a driver's
manual.
