For Sale: 1955 Porsche 356 in Costa Mesa, California

1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Speedster

VIN 80379

This Speedster was completed at the factory on March 9, 1955, and delivered by Autohaus KrauB in Nurnberg, Germany. Original specification - Speedster Blue (color code 602) with Acella bast (basket-weave) cream interior. Excellent driving 356, in very good overall condition, older re-paint was done over 35 years ago. New soft top and side curtains.

One of only 1,033 - Pre-A Speedsters built for the 1955 model year. Excellent mechanical condition, serviced by Carquip in Boulder, Colorado over the past 45 years. The engine and transmission were rebuilt by Carquip in Boulder, Colorado. The 1600cc Normal 1958 engine (70939) is producing 60HP, Zenith carbs, great compression with a 2% leak down on all cylinders, smooth-shifting 4-speed manual 741 transmission. Solid and rust-free floor pans and battery box! Truly a great strong mechanical Speedster offered for a reasonable price.

Specification
60 horsepower, 1,582cc OHV air-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine with dual Zenith carburetors, four-speed manual 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."