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Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptional example of
this original California 'Black License Plate' 1964 Porsche 356C
'Twin Grille' 1600 T6 Cabriolet by Reutter (built in 1963) in
'Triple Black' colors with very striking 'Black' color paint with a
beautiful 'Black' interior and soft top with its original matching
#'s Type 616/1 T6 1600 engine #P711689 and matching #'s
74066-741/2C 4 speed manual transmission with the original Porsche
'Kardex' build sheet file available for confirmation!The car boasts
its original 'Blaupunkt' AM radio, steering wheel, original clock
and came with its factory optional Ventilated Chrome Wheels. This
particular model must be seen to be and driven to be fully
appreciated - the car drives and looks great - the engine is
extremely strong and responsive with no noticeable oil leaks, the
transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the temperature
always remains cool. The car was originally delivered to San
Francisco, CA to its first owner in 1964 and was originally
Champagne in color with a Black leather interior. The Porsche 356
was the car which put the marque on the map and is most certainly
the companies most iconic. Between 1948 and 1965, more than 76,000
were built, as coupes, open roadster speedsters and cabriolets.
While the basic design and shape of the 356 changed very little
over its lifetime, there were several generations of cars. The
first, characterized by split (or bent) windshields, were built
through 1954. From 1955 to 1959, a revised model designated the
356A was built with a curved windshield and modified suspension. It
was succeeded during 1959 by the 356B or T5 model, which although
to the casual observer appeared to change very little from its
predecessor, had in fact received minor alterations to almost every
aspect of the model, including most obviously a new nose contour
that raised the headlights upwards and vertically with new front
wings to accommodate and new bigger and stronger bumpers. This had
a completely revised body that was more suitable for the American
market. The 356B used the new T5 bodystyle which raised the front
and rear bumpers nearly four inches. Furthermore the headlights
were also repositioned higher to meet American regulations. Inside
Porsche fitted a new deep dish steering wheel and deeper front
seats. In August of 1961 Porsche revealed the updated T6 body with
larger windows for the Coupe and twin engine grills on the rear
deck. These had a much revised front trunk with a different gas
tank that was accessed under a filler lid on the fender instead of
the middle of the trunk. In 1963, the 356C marked the third and
final update to the 356 saga. There were three 1,600 cc engines,
designated 1600, 1600 Super and the Super 90 and the legendary
four-cam 2-liter 115 HP Carrera 2. The 1600's ranged from 60 to 90
BHP with the Super 90, the most potent of the pushrod engines,
having a counterweighted crankshaft, sodium-filled valves and Solex
P40-II carburetors. Today this engine is particularly sought after
by enthusiasts.Although Porsche sourced bodies from a number of
suppliers, by far the most came from Reutter. 'Karosseriefabrik
Reutter amp; Co.' of Stuttgart, Germany had a long association with
Porsche. Founded as a coach-building firm in 1906, Reutter
pioneered lightweight construction, using Weymann fabric patents
and early use of aluminum. Reutter furnished prototypes to
Ferdinand Porsche in 1932, during the early days of the Volkswagen
project, then bodied Mercedes and BMW cars during the 1930s. The
association with Porsche was rekindled in 1950, when the nascent
Porsche company returned from Austria to Stuttgart. Porsche's old
facilities were occupied by the US Army, so Reutter leased some
plants to Porsche for car production and started producing bodies
for a number of 356 models. These included coupes, cabriolets and
speedsters. While Karmann also built coupes in the 1960s, most of
the open cars were by Reutter.This Reutter-bodied 356C Cabriolet is
a very fine example of this desirable late model and matching #'s
T6 C Cabriolet. The car has been owned for many years by the same
southern California owner who has always garaged the car and who
had the car professionally and at great expense beautifully
repainted and always well maintained and serviced. The interior was
also professionally reupholstered and the car has a new soft top
professionally installed with a matching tonneau cover. In summary,
this is one exceptional example of a very original and accident and
rust free car and an increasingly desirable and collectible 1964
Porsche 356C Cabriolet with it's very rare, and most importantly
since the POA is no longer available from Porsche to confirm engine
or transmission numbers, as documented by the Porsche factory Karex
build sheet, this car boasts both it's original matching #'s engine
and transmission; a more striking example one could not hope to
find! A sure-fire investment that's sure to appreciate over the
years for any classic Porsche collector or simply any European
sports car enthusiast!
