Vehicle Description
1957 Porsche 356A Speedster - Barn Find
• VIN 83591
• Engine no. 66377 (Matching)
• Trans no. 15472 (Matching)
• 1 of 141 Speedsters ordered in Schwarz (Black) out of 4,145
built
• All matching decks and doors
Delivered by Hahn Porsche to Mrs. Janet Brownlee on July 18, 1957.
One of 590 Speedsters built for the 1957-year model; only 40 were
special ordered in Black!
Garage kept under single-family ownership for over 40 years. In
2016, this Speedster was discovered in a farmhouse in a remote
location in Illinois. It is a stunningly original example, with one
thin re-spray over its entire life. Retains its original red
interior and all of its factory components and hardware. When this
Speedster arrived at European Collectibles the driveline was
completely removed down to the tub. All of the rust issues were
addressed including the installation of new floor pans,
longitudinals and battery box floor to factory spec. The matching
engine & transmission were completely rebuilt but all the engine
sheet metal was left untouched to preserve the patina. The brakes
were completely rebuilt including a new master cylinder, brake
lines, wheel cylinders, brake shoes, and the drums turned. The
suspension was rebuilt with new bushing and rebuilt link and
kingpins.
Finished its factory color combination of Black (701) with Red
leatherette upholstery. Beautifully straight body with no sign of
major rust or accident damage. Original decks and doors, Speedster
seats, door panels, steering wheel, four (4) original Lemmerz 4 �"
x 15" date coded rims and original Sigla windshield. All knobs,
gauges, shift knob, and bezels are original. Mechanically, the
matching 1600cc Normal engine runs phenomenally and the 4-speed
manual (644) transmission shifts perfectly. Extraordinary
opportunity to purchase a true time capsule with incredible
patina.
European Collectibles has been at the forefront of preserving
original Porsches and has supplied many customers with
fantastically original cars such as this 1957 Porsche 356A
Speedster factory Black with one thin re-paint over 40 years ago
and miles of patina. Unrestored classics are at an all-time high
and very difficult to find!
1st In Class - Unrestored - Peoples Choice at the 33rd Annual 356
Club Southern California Concours on Sunday, July 21, 2019, at the
Bella Collina Towne and Golf Club.
Specifications
60 horsepower, 1,582cc OHV air-cooled horizontally opposed
four-cylinder engine with dual Solex carburetors, four-speed manual
644 transmission, independent front suspension with laminated
torsion bars, parallel trailing arms, and tubular shock absorbers,
independent rear swing axles with torsion bars and tubular shock
absorbers, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 82.7
in.
History
During 1950 Max Hoffman, the sole importer of Porsches in the USA
was achieving excellent sales success for the company. He suggested
to Ferry Porsche that he could do even better if he had a car that
would compete with the imported English sportscars and fit the
needs of the American market. He suggested this new model would
resemble a small Jaguar XK120 and be available at a more
competitive price than the current 356 range.
Hoffman's sales of 356s in the USA were accounting for a third of
all Porsche's 356 production by 1954 and so the needs of the US
market had to be taken seriously by Porsche
British cars like MG, Austin-Healey, and Triumph dominated the
American sports car market. Max Hoffman was convinced that cost was
the major barrier to achieving significant penetration of the
sports car market in the USA. The basic 356 Coupe, for example,
cost $300 more than the Jaguar XK120.
Porsche was keen to meet Max Hoffman's requirements but clearly, a
hand-built car with aluminum coachwork was out of the question - it
had to be a cut-down version of the 356 cabriolet and it had to be
capable of being produced on the same production line as the other
356s. If they removed trimmings and weather protection they might
be able to save weight as well as cost - after discussion between
Porsche's Albert Prinzling and Max Hoffman in New York the concept
of the Speedster was born.
The Speedster was to have a low, raked windscreen, which easily
could be removed for weekend racing, bucket seats, and a minimal,
folding top, and side curtains instead of wind-up windows.
Ironically the new Speedster kept the same Type 540 designation as
the America Roadster but was designed by Reutter for minimum
production cost. The spartan cockpit had lightweight bucket seats
with fixed backrests. Instrumentation was limited to speedometer
and temperature gauge. Technically a heater and tachometer were
optional extras designed to keep the magic base price below $3,000.
Exterior appearance was standard 356 from the waist down except for
attractive full-length chrome side strips running neatly through
the door handles.
Typical Speedster advertising by Hoffman in Road and Track, May
1955 - "Years Ahead in Engineering - Miles ahead on the Road." The
advertised price was $2,995
