1959 PORSCHE 356A CARRERA 1600 GS COUPE - GT OPTIONS
--Ruby Red with Black leather seating, Tan German Square Weave
carpeting, 4-speed manual transmission, Matching numbers example
with 32,000 miles, Certificate of Authenticity.
The 356 Carrera is Porsche’s first foray into a production sports car. Named after the iconic victory at Carrera Panamerica, Mexico, this model married the free revving 547 4-cam engine from the 550 RS Spyder with the chassis of the tried and true 356 road car. Designed by legendary Porsche engineer Ernst Fuhrman, the Carrera featured bevel gear driven valvetrain, dry-sump lubrication, chrome-plated cylinder walls and a twin-spark ignition.
Originally ordered by Air Force Captain, Ed Hartenberger, from Japanese dealer, Mitsawa Motors in December of 1958 in Ruby Red, with notable Carrera options, such as 400mm wood-rimmed steering wheel, GT 80 liter fuel tank, GT brakes, and the all new plain bearing 692/2 1600 engine. Captain Hartenberger was disappointed to find out that Carrera production was behind schedule, so visited the factory to attempt to convince executives to give him Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands’ example, which was on the production line just ahead of his, but to no avail.
Once delivered, the Hartenbergers enjoyed touring Europe all through 1959 and 1960 and in 1961 sold to a fellow officer destined for U.S. transfer and the Carrera was brought along. Ownership was transferred to a Gig Harbor, Wa. dentist, then to Ralph Rigsby of Salt Lake City, Utah, who enjoyed several years of touring in the Pacific Northwest and passed it along to well known Carrera enthusiast, Rusty Ferrel. Rusty sold the car to Steve Terrien in 1985, and in the mid-1990’s the Carrera was treated to a ground-up restoration.
Paintwork was done by Kristen Rillios in Seattle, in original Ruby Red Glasurit paint, while Billy Doyle handled the meticulous work on the matching numbers engine and transmission.
The Carrera GS with the 692/2 engine is truly the rarest of all Carreras produced, with fewer than 50 in all body types and only 64 engines built for production and spares. This GS Carrera is among the finest available, with original floor pans, body panels, battery pan and drivetrain – and still shows the correct number stampings in the sills.
A rare opportunity to own a spectacular specimen in all regards, this 356 is ready for immediate concours or touring use.
Video walk-around and road test: https://youtu.be/lAoCL9mgTlA
