1959 Porsche 1600 GT Speedster For Sale - Believed To Be 1 Of 7
GT-Spec Super Speedsters Built LMC is very proud to offer for sale
this 1959 Porsche 1600 GT Speedster Eight years after Porsche
introduced the groundbreaking 356, the company unveiled the
upgraded 356 A-an evolution that brought improved engineering,
refined drivability, and expanded performance across the model
range. A key update was the introduction of the type 616/1
flat-four used in the 356 A 1600. With a displacement of 1,582
cubic centimeters and a higher compression ratio, it produced 60
horsepower. Buyers seeking more performance could opt for the type
616/2 in the 1600 Super, featuring a revised camshaft and Solex
carburetors for a stronger 75 horsepower. Porsche also broadened
the 356 A's appeal to serious competitors by offering a detuned
version of its exotic four-cam racing engine-an engine famously
proven in the 550 Spyder, known as "The Giant Killer" for its
ability to outrun larger and more powerful rivals. For drivers with
true racing intentions, the 356 A Carrera could be ordered in GS
touring or lightweight GT configuration. All 356 A models
benefitted from revised driveline mounting points and suspension
improvements, which better paired the chassis with the era's
advancing tire technology. In 1957 Porsche introduced the "T2"
(Type 2) variant, bringing further refinements including Zenith
carburetors in place of Solex and the shift from roller-bearing to
more conventional crankshafts on certain engines. Visually, the 356
A retained the graceful lines of its predecessor, adding a curved
windshield and updated dashboard while continuing to be offered in
Coupe, Cabriolet, and Speedster body styles. The Reutter-built
Speedster remained the standout for competition use thanks to its
low windshield, minimalist cockpit, and lightweight construction.
At the top of the performance ladder sat the 1600 GT Carrera
Speedster, a highly focused machine combining the four-cam engine
with weight-saving aluminum panels. In 1959, Porsche quietly
produced a handful of unusual-and today highly coveted-Super
Speedsters. Built in full GT specification but fitted with the
simpler, more serviceable 616/2 engine from the 1600 Super rather
than the complex four-cam, these cars were designed with privateer
racers in mind. They retained all the competition-oriented GT
features: lightweight aluminum doors, front hood and engine lid, a
larger fuel tank, uprated front brakes, and a stripped interior.
Only a very small number were built; most agree that only 7 were
ever produced by the factory, making them among the rarest 356
variants ever built. The example offered here is one of those
exceedingly scarce cars. Completed on 8 January 1959, it is
believed to be one of as few as seven produced-four of which were
ordered by Oakland Porsche dealer Carl Block. Block is said to have
specified the unusual combination of GT trim with the 616/2 pushrod
engine to offer Sports Car Club of America racers a lighter,
simpler, and more approachable alternative to the costly four-cam
Carrera. This Speedster later joined the distinguished collection
of Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler and was displayed for
years in his Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife
in Oxnard, California. Following the dispersal of the museum in
2006, the car is reported to have passed to East Coast Porsche
collector Frank Gallogly, then to Tony Peck of Long Island, with
additional owners noted by the Porsche 356 Registry. Crucially, a
copy of the Kardex confirms that the installed type 616/2 engine is
numbers-matching. As one of exceptionally few lightweight GT Super
Speedsters factory-built with this powerplant, this 1959 Porsche
356 A 1600 Super GT Speedster represents a rare opportunity to
acquire a uniquely specified and historically significant
example-an ideal addition for the discerning Porsche collector
seeking one of the most unusual and desirable 356 variants ever
produced. Additional Details: 1959 PORSCHE 1600 GT SPEEDSTER -
Vehicle Details
1959 Porsche Speedster
Listing ID:CC-2032861
Price:Contact Seller
Location:Halton Hills, Ontario
Year:1959
Make:Porsche
Model:Speedster
Odometer:0
Stock Number:2025099
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