For Sale: 1957 Porsche 356A in Costa Mesa, California

1957 Porsche 356A T1 Speedster

VIN 82569

This Speedster was completed at the factory on September 12, 1956. Original specification - Polyantha Red with Tan leatherette interior. A very nice driver, in good overall condition, older repaint. New German square weave oatmeal carpets, black soft top and boot cover. Complete with the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, owner's manual, spare tire, tools, and jack.

One of 1,155 356A T1 Beehive Speedsters built for the 1956 model year. Excellent mechanical condition, 1600cc 356C engine (#P714566) producing 75HP, Zenith carbs, smooth-shifting 4-speed manual transmission. New floor pans and front battery box have been installed. Solid and rust-free example. Truly a great strong mechanical Speedster offered for a reasonable price.

*Titled as a 1957 year model

Specification
60 horsepower, 1,582cc OHV air-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine with dual Zenith 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
Porsche has the Speedster to thank for their success in the United States. Without this little convertible, it could be argued that Porsche sales might not have ever taken off in the fiercely competitive U.S. market. The car's low-slung and focused looks appealed to sports car enthusiasts and its price of just under $3,000 definitely helped to get Speedsters off the showroom floors and out onto the open road. Boasting few creature comforts but excellent driving characteristics, it helped cement Porsche's reputation in the United States and earned it a hugely desirable portion of the sports car market at a time when the motto of most British marques was "export or die."