Vehicle Description
1956 Porsche 356A 1500 GS Carrera Coupe
Same owner for the past forty-three (43) years!
Titled as a 1957-year model
According to the Porsche Carrera Book by Rolf Springier & Steve
Heinrichs, VIN 56016 was built as a GS Carrera Coupe with engine
number 90636. The body was finished by Reutter on March 29, 1956,
and the production was finished on May 18, 1956. Finished in a
beautiful rare color combination of Lago Green Metallic (606) with
Light Beige (366) leatherette interior.
The body has been metal finished and prepped for paint with
excellent gaps and panel fit. The body, floor pans, and battery box
are solid and rust-free. As well as matching deck lids, doors, date
coded fuel tank, and date-coded fuel sender. Original data tag by
the fuel tank and door jamb cover plate with the original VIN tag.
The interior is very complete, and the dash is finished in Lago
Green with the original Carrera gauges, knobs, period radio, and
clock. The Carrera Coupe does not come with its original engine,
but ideal for a buyer who has a spare 4-cam engine! This can also
create another opportunity to build the ultimate 356 Outlaw!
Complete with Porsche Classic Technical Certificate (CTC),
confirming matching transmission (9412), and the Reutter
Certificate of Production. An extremely rare opportunity to acquire
a 1956 356A T1 1500 GS Carrera Coupe project with beehive
taillights and European bumpers.
History
Following the success of the original 356 (now known as the
"Pre-A"), the 356A was introduced. It was part of the factory
designation "Technical Program 1" (T1), followed by a revision in
1957 that resulted in T2.
Changes to the outside of the 356 were minimal, but a larger 1600cc
engine was introduced along with revised suspension and wider
tires. A keener eye will notice the addition of a rub strip below
the doors and the use of enamel paint in place of lacquer. Interior
changes were similarly minor with a flat-face dashboard following
the contour of the now curved instead of the bent windscreen. Other
options were the provision for a modern radio, courtesy dome
lighting, and an optional dash clock.
The 356A was available with a total of five different four-cylinder
engines, ranging from the 1300cc unit with 44bhp to the 1500cc
Carrera GS with 100bhp. From its inception, the Porsche 356 was
engineered and constructed to make the most of its competition
pedigree. This is shown in abundance in the road manners and
handling. While other manufacturers were using increased capacity
engines to gain performance, Porsche concentrated on lightness and
engineering balance to achieve this goal out-performing comparative
machinery with sometimes twice the horsepower. Any 356A is a
desirable car. The car's long-standing appeal has been enhanced
over the years by competition success and the growth of the Porsche
brand as a whole.