Vehicle Description
1957 Porsche 356A T1 Speedster
VIN 83248
Completed April 15, 1957
One of only 590 356A T1 Speedsters produced in 1957
Purchased by European Collectibles Summer of 2004 after a
high-quality restoration was performed by the previous restoration
shop which included a complete dis-assembly of the car, body
preparation to bare metal, show quality paint to Certificate of
Authenticity finished in Ruby Red. The undercarriage, trunk, engine
bay are all completely detailed to factory specifications. During
re-assembly, all new rubber components, windshield, restored
instruments, reupholstered seats, and soft top. All bright-work was
re-plated, polished and reinstalled. The engine, transmission,
steering, suspension, and brakes have all been rebuilt
professionally and fully detailed.
We sold this wonderful Speedster to a local client, who showed at
the Dana Point Concours the following month. Since selling this
Speedster we have always been in close contact with the 356 and EC
has performed minor enhancements and preservation work to keep the
car in top condition.
All matching decks and doors along with the matching engine and
transmission. 1600 Normal (60 horsepower), 644 manual 4-speed
transmission and four-wheel drum brakes. Amazing condition finished
in Red with a Black interior. Excellent 356 to drive! Offered with
tools, jack, owner's manual, spare tire, side curtains, boot cover
and Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche. Truly a great
Speedster!
History
It's hard to believe, but Porsche design and the Germans, in
general, were able to reboot and go from thinking about Tiger tanks
to sports cars in the span of just three years. In 1948, the first
Porsche 356 emerged from a converted sawmill in Gmund, Austria (the
Allied occupation forces were the new residents of Porsche's
Stuttgart, Germany offices).
By 1950, a much-improved version of the Porsche 356 built in
Zuffenhausen, Germany was being sold in America. Early U.S.
importer Max Hoffman was responsible for the most-iconic 356 body
style, the Speedster, which was a rather stripped down and basic
$2,995 version of the car with racing-style bucket seats, removable
side curtains instead of roll-up windows and a low windshield that
the weekend racers who favored the model could easily remove.
