Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 50279
Engine No. 66263
"I couldn't find the sports car of my dreams so I built it
myself"
-Ferdinand Porsche
With the simple, clean, elegant, and understated silhouette, the
356 Gmund coupe introduced in 1949, would become the genesis of an
entire company built up the ethos of constant evolutionary
improvement through engineering development and endless testing.
Once brought to life in a small Austrian sawmill, early 356
production returned to the Porsche factory in Stuttgart Germany in
November 1949. With their factory premises returned to them by the
American military, these vehicles now received hand-crafted steel
bodies from Reutter and, later, a new "bent-window" window design
with added aluminum brightwork to the front and rear window
trim.
Completed on 10 March 1953, this rare and highly desirable Pre-A
coupe is one of just 1,546 coupes produced for the year. Delivered
through Max Hoffman's dealership, this example was originally
finished in Azure Blue and fitted with a Type 528 1500 Super
engine, Porsche's most powerful engine option at the time. Until
1959 Max Hoffman was the sole importer of Porsche cars into
America, distributing them across the United States. While the
Kardex does not list any options - or interior color or
transmission number for that matter - it was typical of this time
for these details to be omitted from the warranty card. Typically,
those 356 arriving through Hoffman Motor Company were the best and
most luxuriously equipped of all Porsche automobiles leaving
Stuttgart and with this example, constructed as a 'Super', it would
be reasonable to assume it was optioned accordingly.
Offering one of the most pure and elegant driving experiences
extant, this Pre-A is powered by an upgraded 1600cc air-cooled
engine. Weighing in at just under 1,700 pounds (770 kg), this
tasteful improvement provides a welcomed increase in power without
sacrificing factory driving characteristics. Offering a charming
interior, - still an influence on Porsche interiors to this day -
this Porsche is complete with a body-colored dashboard equipped
with a Telefunken radio and optional green-letter Veigel gauges.
Many interior updates introduced the previous year like a passenger
sun visor and conventional indicator stalk along with the fully
reclining seats continued to refine the passengers experience.
Finished in a stunning, period-correct specification of Medium
Ivory over Red leather, this US specification 'Pre-A' was
originally delivered to California cherished over 50 years of
single ownership. Completed in 2017, this Pre-A received a
multi-year, nut-and-bolt comprehensive restoration done by marque
experts. As per consignor, this comprehensive restoration retained
all original body panels and was executed with a tremendous level
of attention to detail.
A documented example with a digital copy of its factory Kardex
warranty card and Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this is a
seldom-found opportunity to acquire a Pre-A 356 coupe with
incredible provenance. With a recently completed, show-quality
restoration in period correct colors, this highly collectable
vehicle offers enthusiasts one of the earliest and most coveted
Porsche driving experiences.
