Vehicle Description
1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D
VIN 86599
Engine no. 74906 - Matching
Transmission no. 23773 - Matching
One of 1,331 Convertible D's built by Drauz
A true survivor with only two (2) owners, finished in its factory
color combination of Ivory (5704) with Red upholstery. A very
honest and original 356 with some original paintwork, excellent
gaps, and no accident damage. All of the original trim, brightwork,
and badges exhibit just the right amount of patina. The front and
rear decks display "99" stampings, which indicates matching panels.
Preservation class interior features original; door panels,
carpets, front seats, dash, and boot cover are all in great
condition. The undercarriage is solid and rust-free with original
floor pans, closing panels, and battery box.
Powered by a matching driveline, the 1600cc Normal engine has
plenty of power with 60 horsepower paired with a 4-speed manual 716
transmission. The four-wheel drum braking system has been
completely rebuilt with new; master cylinder, brake lines, wheel
cylinders, brakes shoes, and the drums have been turned. All four
4.5" x 15" Lemmerz rims are date coded (1 of 59) with four matching
date coded (2 of 59) hubcaps. Offered with the Kardex, spare tire,
jack, boot cover, tonneau cover, partial tool kit, original set of
keys, original books including; Porsche Service Book, Driver's
Manual, and the Operating Instructions for Opening and Closing the
Convertible-Top. Extraordinary opportunity to purchase a true time
capsule with incredible patina.
On September 23rd, 1959, Mr. Bob F. Henninger from Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, took delivery of his 1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D
from Hoffman Motor Car Co, in New York, New York and owned this
Porsche for 18 months. Henninger traded his 356 in for a 1960
Pontiac Leman to Palmer Pontiac. The second owner, Daniel Piesik
also from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, purchased this 356 April
1961 and has owned the 356 Convertible D for 59 years!
The story from Daniel Piesik
Now I was out of the Army, back from Europe and anxious to teach, I
found a job teaching in Pittsburgh Public Schools in the uptown
section. After the New Year 1960, I was on my way to work using
public transportation for the 17-mile journey, I had no automobile.
As I was on my way to school, I passed the local amusement park and
there behold - was a Porsche 356 convertible parked behind the
office. It was winter, but as I found out later, the owner/manager
Bob Henninger was at the office every day, planning for the coming
season. I drooled every time I passed the park and saw the Porsche.
In the meantime, I purchased a 1957 small rear window VW and after
some detailing, had it looking great. Then one night in April 1961,
I saw that a Porsche was for sale. I thought I would go down and
look at it. It was the Porsche that I had seen in late winter and
throughout the second semester of 1960. I now had a teaching
position in Versailles Township near my home and I had a great time
driving my VW, as I did in Germany. Going to Palmer Pontiac, the
salesman said that the car was owned by Bob Henninger who traded it
in for a 1960 Pontiac Leman. Teaching my second year and just out
of the army, I had no credit rating but found a way having a local
insurance agent prompt the bank to approve a loan because of my
specific situation and the loan was not a great amount. After the
haggling was done and obtaining financing, there I was driving my
1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D down Market Street, McKeesport,
Pennsylvania heading toward home.
The most memorable occasion occurred in 1966 as we drove the
Porsche on our honeymoon to Niagara Falls, Montreal and on to
Quebec. From the time I first purchased the car and joined the
Porsche Club of America - Allegheny Region, Dolores and I attended
all the activities and events traveling to Toronto a couple of
times. I entered events but was particular never to over-rev the
engine or abuse the car. It was a fine runner and if there was a
chance of damage, I would not participate. In Canada, the closed
road course was run on dirt - a farm road with boulders and ruts,
which I refused to run and went to the Canadian National Exhibition
that day. When doing club events, I would not risk winning my class
for the same reasons even if it meant missing a trophy. At time
trials, I drove the Porsche the way it should be done and
outclassed other normal 1600s and beat out some supers. This car
was a great runner.
After those active days, the Porsche was taken out for maintenance
and driving from home through the Allegheny Mountains a favorite
destination. Always garage kept, and has some wear occurred, I did
the work, as, by this time, I became well versed in the workings of
the dear machine. The last time it was on the road, my youngest son
Donald wanted to go to the Pittsburgh Race Days in Schenley Park -
a closed road track in the middle of the city. Our goal, of course,
was to attend the Saturday Marque Day with displays of all the
sports cars, as the race participants practiced on the track. I
must admit that the Porsche 356A Convertible D was the center of
interest of about 30 + Porsches. The excitement was that it was
original, as many cars there were restored. As a matter of fact,
although I am no expert, many owners asked me to have their
Porsches checked for authenticity. Many had some defects, but
overall, it was a great display. Next to my car, was a brand-new
Porsche 911 including fancy Porsche lawn chairs, which by the way,
no one was also interested. Instead, I had many people around my
car with many questions and hopes that it not be restored, as they
enjoyed seeing the original. The biggest thrill of that day was
when my youngest son Donald drove THE CAR TO THE EVENT AND BACK, AS
VERY FEW PEOPLE OTHER THAN MYSELF EVER DROVE IT. The final chapter
had the Porsche 356A Convertible D lovingly retired; kept in the
heated garage, while over 15 years, 87,000 miles of traveling and
exploring the 48 United States and half of Canada including
extensive touring of Nova Scotia in my motor home. And as I sadly
parted with the faithful and special 356, watching it loaded into
an automobile transporter, emotion naturally causes many thoughts
of experiences that exist at this time of writing.
Specification
60 bhp (DIN), 70 bhp (SAE), 1,582cc OHV air-cooled horizontally
opposed four-cylinder, dual Zenith carburetors, four-speed manual
transmission, independent front suspension with torsion bars,
trailing arms, and tubular shock absorbers, independent swing-axle
rear suspension with torsion bars, radius arms, and tubular shock
absorbers, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 82.7 in.
History
In July 1958, Porsche sent a letter to all its foreign
representatives, stating that the four-year-old, bare-bones
Speedster, which had been designed specifically for the Western
markets of the United States, had not been well-received elsewhere.
A new model was forthcoming for 1959, and it would be manufactured
by Karosseriewerke Drauz, of Heilbronn.
This would be the Convertible D, which was introduced as an interim
step before the arrival of the 356 B Roadster in 1960. The new
ConvD would offer buyers Speedster-like styling, but it added such
amenities as a wind-up door glass in place of side curtains, a
taller windshield, a better taller top, and a more luxurious
interior with coupe seats standard. New and larger teardrop-shaped
taillights would replace the earlier "bee-hive" style lamps, and
U.S. cars were fitted with front and rear bumper guards and
over-riders. Porsch...for more information please contact the
seller.
