Vehicle Description
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."
