Vehicle Description
1956 Porsche 356A 1500 GS Carrera Coupe
According to the Porsche Carrera Book by Rolf Springier & Steve
Heinrichs VIN 56016 was built as a GS Carrera Coupe with engine
number 90636, the body was finished by Reutter on March 29,1956,
and the production was finished on May 18, 1956. Finished in Lago
Green Metallic (606) with Light Beige (366) leatherette
interior.
Same owner for the past forty-three years! Very rare color
combination. The dash is very complete, finished in the original
Lago Green color with the original Carrera gauges. The 356 is not
running and driving and does not come with a Carrera engine or any
of the Carrera components. Perfect for the Buyer who has a spare
4-cam engine and has been looking for a 356 Carrera!
The restoration was started but was never completed. The body has
been metal finished and prepped for paint with excellent gaps and
panel fit. The body, floor pans, and battery box are solid and
rust-free. Matching decks and doors date coded fuel tank and fuel
sender. The transmission number is 9412 and is stamped from the
factory 356AGS. Original data plate by the fuel tank and door jamb
cover plate with VIN tag. Complete with Porsche Classic Technical
Certificate (CTC) confirming matching transmission & the Reutter
Certificate of Production.
An extremely rare opportunity to acquire a 1956 356A T1 1500 GS
Carrera Coupe project with beehive tail lights.
*This Carrera was built in 1956 but is titled as a 1957-year
model.
History
Following the success of the original 356 (now known as the
"Pre-A"), the 356A was introduced. It was part of the factory
designation "Technical Program 1" (T1), followed by a revision in
1957 that resulted in T2.
Changes to the outside of the 356 were minimal, but a larger 1600cc
engine was introduced along with revised suspension and wider
tires. A keener eye will notice the addition of a rub strip below
the doors and the use of enamel paint in place of lacquer. Interior
changes were similarly minor with a flat-face dashboard following
the contour of the now curved instead of the bent windscreen. Other
options were the provision for a modern radio, courtesy dome
lighting, and an optional dash clock.
The 356A was available with a total of five different four-cylinder
engines, ranging from the 1300cc unit with 44bhp to the 1500cc
Carrera GS that made 100bhp. From its inception, the Porsche 356
was engineered and constructed to make the most of its competition
pedigree. This shows in abundance in the road manners and handling.
Whilst other manufacturers were using increased capacity engines to
gain performance, Porsche concentrated on lightness and engineering
balance to achieve these aims, in many cases out-performing
comparative machinery with sometimes twice the horsepower. Any 356A
is a desirable car. The car's long-standing appeal has been
enhanced over the years by competition success and the growth of
the Porsche brand as a whole.
