Vehicle Description
1956 Porsche 356A 1500 GS Carrera Cabriolet
• VIN 61XXX
• Completed March 29, 1956
• One of 26 T1 Carrera Cabriolets produced from 1956-1957
• One of three (3) T1 Carrera Cabriolets finished in Polyantha
Red
One (1) owner for the past 47 years, originally delivered in
Polyantha Red (5602) with Beige (2164) leather upholstery. Factory
options included body-mounted fog lights and chrome rims. Very
early, beehive taillight example, currently in primer with a
partial leather interior. The interior is complete with door
panels, seats, VDO Carrera instrumentation, Becker Europa radio,
and a soft-top frame. All of the decks and doors are original. This
example is not offered with a 4-cam engine, however, we are able to
locate a period-correct 4-cam engine at your request. The
transmission is a manual 4-speed GS transmission that is
period-correct and has a complete set of drum brakes.
This rare and highly collectible Porsche 356A Carrera Cabriolet was
delivered new to N�rnberg, Germany through Autohaus Krau� to its
first owner, Eberhart Reinshagen. According to the Porsche Kardex
on file, this 356 was serviced in Europe until April of 1959. The
earliest known history begins with Mr. Salmon, who was a United
States Air Force Veteran who served during the Vietnam war. He
reportedly purchased the Carrera in the early 1970s and had the
vehicle stored in a barn in Levittown, Pennsylvania. After sitting
in a barn for nearly five decades, the vehicle arrived at European
Collectibles. Coincidentally, it was just in time for our annual
Open House event that we host every year. During our event, we had
the vehicle on display and encouraged our guests to try and
determine the year and model. Out of 65 participants, only 8 were
able to correctly discern that this was a genuine 1956 Porsche 356A
1500 GS Carrera Cabriolet. After the show, the entire chassis was
disassembled, and all parts were inventoried. The chassis was
stripped down to the steel, media blasted, and sealed. All
necessary rust repair was performed and documented.
Complete with full photo documentation of the work performed,
Porsche Kardex, and spare tire. Eligible for many driving events
including the Mille Miglia in Italy, Colorado Grand, California
Mille, Copperstate 1000 Road Rally, and many other events. One of
only 26 356A Carrera 1500 GS Cabriolet built a very rare Porsche
production road car.
History
The evocative 'Carrera' name first graced the flanks of a Porsche
in 1955 applied to the Typ 356A, the second version of the German
manufacturer's iconic sports car. The work of Ferry Porsche, that
first Porsche road car - the 356 - was based on the Volkswagen
designed by his father, employing a similar platform-type chassis
with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and torsion bar all-independent
suspension. Having commenced manufacture with a short run of
aluminum-bodied cars built at Gm�nd, Porsche began volume
production of the steel-bodied 356 coupe at its old base in
Stuttgart, at first in premises shared with coachbuilders Reutter
and then (from 1955) in its original factory at Zuffenhausen. Only
430 356A Cabriolets were manufactured in 1956, very few of which
would have left the factory equipped with the Carrera engine like
this example, which is one of only 26 to have the T1 body.
