To Be OFFERED AT AUCTIONEstimate:
$280,000 - $340,000
- A fully restored, meticulously presented sports car icon
- Silbermetall over black leather; black manual top
- Numbers-matching engine and transmission
- Upgraded brakes, electricals, and interior
- Offered with Kardex, spare wheel, jack, cabin tonneau cover,
and side curtains
Without this little roadster, one could argue that Porsche would
have never 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 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. The cockpit contained a pair of light
semi-competition bucket seats with ventilated but non-adjustable
backrests. Speedsters, as importer Max Hoffman had demanded, were
stripped of just about everything else. Even the tachometer was
"optional at extra cost," though every Speedster had one. The
result was a sophisticated sports car that was easily put into
racing trim.
Soon, these hand-assembled Speedsters were dominating the American
amateur racing scene. At the outset, they were equipped with a
1.5-liter engine, but soon larger and more powerful motors became
available, up to and including the potent but very complex
Fuhrmann-designed four-cam Carrera. The 1600 "Normal" engines
produced about 60 horsepower, the Super was good for 75, and the
Carrera engine made an easy 100 or more.
This 1956 Posrche 356 A 1600 Speedster was recently restored in
Silbermetall over a black interior with a black top. Originally
finished on February 17, 1956 in a Rubinrot exterior, this lot's
accompanying Porsche documentation establishes the presence of this
chassis' numbers-matching engine and transmission.
Acquired by the consignor in 2006 from a Phoenix-based Porsche
enthusiast, this 356 A benefits from a number of tasteful updates
completed during this ownership. The interior has been refitted in
black leather and charcoal grey carpets courtesy of noted Porsche
interior specialists, Autos International of Escondido, California.
Other features noted by the consignor include a set of upgraded
disc brakes from Custom Speed Parts and rear camber regulator from
Vic Skirmant's 356 Enterprises of North Branch, Michigan. The
consignor has also noted an earlier overhaul of the four-speed
transaxle. Lastly, the original 6-volt electrical components have
been updated to 12-volt circuitry.
Simply put, no collection would be complete without a Porsche
Speedster. It is an equal in automotive design and history as the
Ferrari California Spider and Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, but it further
benefits from practicality and ease of use-which makes it as
perfect for running errands as handling twisty mountain roads.
This charming Speedster is now offered with a spare wheel, jack,
cabin tonneau cover, and side curtains. The seller reports that the
engine has recently benefitted from a carburetor tune-up, fluid
flush, and safety check in preparation for receipt by its next
custodian.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo20.