Vehicle Description
1956 Porsche 356A 1500 GS Carrera Coupe VIN 55467
Completion on January 11, 1956
Mille Miglia Eligible
European Collectibles did a beautiful restoration on this Carrera
Coupe. The driveline and body panels are all matching numbers.
During the restoration, this 356 was completely disassembled so
that every aspect could be properly addressed. The body was
stripped to the steel and it had minimal rust. All body panels were
pre-fit along with the bumpers to ensure the absolute best result
before concour paint preparation. All the chrome has been triple
plated by Christenson's Plating in Vernon, California. The gauges
were restored by North Hollywood Speedometer. A new wiring harness
was installed. All the components are OEM or NOS. Sub-assemblies on
the parts was completed by Victor Miles, who is known for his
concours refinishing.
The complete driveline has been rebuilt. The 4-cam engine was one
of the last rebuild by Bill Doyle, who rebuilt the crankshaft. NOS
pistons, liners, valves, cams, and drag leavers on a numbers
matching gear set. 516 split-case transmission was completely
disassembled and rebuilt with all new bearings and synchromesh. All
the suspension has been rebuilt along with the braking system.
Equipped with full GT options: 60mm GT front brakes with vented
backing plates, five (5) date coded GT alloy wheels, GT fuel tank,
roll bar, GT exhaust, lightweight GT interior, GT seats, GT deco
trim on the bumpers, louvered rear deck lid and GT side mirror.
According to the Certificate of Authenticity & Kardex, the 356 was
originally delivered in Sahara Beige with a Red leatherette
interior. Currently finished in period correct Glasirit Silver
Metallic with a Black interior. Absolutely superb in every way,
this Carrera Coupe is ready for immediate road or concours use.
Complete with tools, books, Kardex, Certificate of Authenticity
from Porsche & photo documentation of the restoration. Truly one of
the best 1956 Carrera Coupes that you will find with no issues.
Driven over 100 miles and fully tested by Bill Doyle before his
passing. No stone was left unturned.
Ownership history
Stored in a helicopter hanger in Camarillo, California for over 28
years by a longtime pilot. Purchased by the current owner 7 years
ago who commissioned European Collectibles to complete a bare
metal, no expense spared restoration.
Specification
100 bhp, 1,498cc DOHC air-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder
engine with dual Solex carburetors, four-speed manual transmission,
independent front suspension with torsion bars, an anti-roll bar,
trailing arms, and telescopic shock absorbers, independent swing
axle rear suspension with torsion bars and telescopic shock
absorbers, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 2,100 mm
History
By 1956, Porsche had manufactured 10,000 cars and its racing
credentials had been firmly established with the help of strong
finishes in the Carrera Panamericana. To celebrate the Spyder's
class victories in 1952, 1953, and 1954 (the last bringing in a 1st
and 2nd in class and a 3rd and 4th overall, behind the much more
powerful 4.5- and 4.9-litre Ferraris), Porsche decided to install a
slightly de-tuned version of the 550's complicated 1.5-litre,
four-cam, twin-plug racing engine into a limited number of
production cars. The new high-performance 356 A was introduced at
the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show as a 1956 model. The new model would,
of course, be named the Carrera-a name that has resonated to the
present day as representing Porsche's fastest street machines.
The new 100-horsepower Fuhrmann-designed, dry-sump, roller-bearing
engine, with chrome-plated cylinder bores and 8.1 compression-down
from the Spyder's 9.5-could be ordered in all three of Porsche's
356 A models, the coupe, cabriolet, and speedster. The oil tank for
the dry-sump lubrication system was mounted in the left-rear wing
well, being protected from road debris by a mesh screen, which
carried the car's chassis number. A pair of Autopulse fuel pumps
and a pressure-reducing valve-controlled fuel flow.
There were numerous chassis improvements, including revised torsion
bars, larger shock absorbers, and revised suspension bump stops,
which all helped make these potent little cars much more enjoyable
to drive. Wheel diameter was reduced to 15 inches from the 16-inch
size of the Pre-As, and wheel width was increased by a full inch to
4.25. Tire size was increased to compensate for the additional 47
kilograms of weight. Externally, there were few other clues beyond
the gold-plated "Carrera" scripts on the front wings and tail panel
that revealed that these little cars were capable of almost 120 mph
and could easily cruise at "the Ton" for hours on end.