To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 8 - 9 March 2019.
- Numbers-matching drivetrain and well documented
- Award-winning restoration
- Subtly upgraded for touring comfort
- Copy of factory Kardex and Porsche Certificate of
Authenticity
Alex Dearborn learned to drive in his father's 1953 Porsche. He got
his racing license with a 1960 356 B and contested the 1963 SCCA
National Championship in his 1962 Super 90 GT. Alex has also been
keeping a Twin-Grille registry since 1978 and has owned the
numbers-matching Porsche 356 B Super 90 D'Ieteren Roadster, offered
here, since 2007. Chassis 89665 is one of only 58 Super 90 "T6"
roadsters produced. It is safe to say that 356s are in his
blood.
Its factory Kardex states that this car was completed on 14
December 1961 and shipped to the Islinger Porsche Agency in
Mannheim, West Germany, where it was delivered to Californian
Werrner Ehrenpreis. Finished in special-order Black (701) over red
leatherette with a black canvas folding top, this car was heavily
optioned, including armrests, headrests, fog lamps, seat belts, a
cigarette lighter, a radio/speaker/antenna package, canvas tonneau,
sun visors with passenger-side mirror, additional soundproofing,
touch-up paint, chromed wheels, and a luggage rack. Most
importantly, it was delivered with the powerful and more robust
"Super 90" engine developing more than a hundred horsepower, giving
the car a claimed top speed of about 115 mph.
Following a 1961 road test, Road & Track declared, ". . . both
acceleration and top speed are of a very high order, and the Super
90 must be classed as a really fast car," with handling improved by
uprated suspension and steering.
Porsche's 356 B Roadster was the final evolution of the iconic
Speedster, which was replaced by the Drauz-built Convertible D in
1959. Drauz eventually handed over some of its Roadster production
to Porsche's Belgian distributor, D'Ieteren Freres, and the cars
from D'Ieteren can be immediately identified by their pair of
engine cover cooling grilles.
The history of this well-documented example shows it later being
acquired by another Californian, Gary Dixon, and it was under his
ownership that it was repainted red and given a black interior. In
March 1993, it was offered for sale by southern California
enthusiast Sam Cabiglio, by which time it had accrued some 108,000
miles. Its engine had recently been partially overhauled for Alex
Bivens of Huntington Beach. In 1994, the car was purchased by Mr.
David Heller, and soon resold to Patrick Patterson, who
commissioned a full restoration to its original color scheme by Bob
Campbell. In 1996 and 1997, it claimed 1st-place awards at Porsche
356 Club Concours at Monterey.
The car was purchased by Michael Hackney in 2001. In 2007, it came
into the collection of the current owner, Alex Dearborn, who had
the engine rebuilt in 2010 by George Nelson at 115,480 miles.
Displacement was increased to 1,776 cc and the engine bay was
carefully detailed. The same year, Vic Skirmants overhauled the
transaxle, installing a taller fourth gear for more relaxed highway
use. A new windshield and top were installed in 2011, and in 2014,
this Roadster captured a Best of Show at the 356 Registry meet in
Florida, besting a 904, multiple Speedsters, and about 40 other
cars. The following year, it was runner-up at the Boca Raton
Concours; the only car in its class not trailered there.
More recently, its owner has driven this Super 90 in the Mountain
Mille through the Smoky Mountains and in 2017 it was treated to a
complete brake overhaul and major service. The owner has added some
subtle comfort and safety amenities, including more sound
insulation, a hidden third brake lamp, LED rear lamp bulbs, halogen
headlights, and newer 5.5 � 15-in. chromed steel wheels.
At the time of cataloguing, this well-known D'Ieteren Roadster had
been driven some 130,863 reliable miles from new. It is supplied
with a painted spare wheel, correct jack, tool roll, owner's
manual, and a variety of old registrations, concours score sheets,
and restoration and maintenance invoices. Perfect for fast touring
or show, this rare and beautiful Porsche is sure to delight its
next owner.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
