For Sale at Auction: 1958 Porsche 356 in Costa Mesa, California

Chassis No. 84532
Engine No. 68621
Transmission No. 18297

Porsche's 356 Speedster first appeared in 1954, born from the vision of Max Hoffman, the New York-based importer who recognized the American appetite for an affordable, fun, and sporty roadster. The Speedster featured a low-cut, removable windshield, lightweight bucket seats, a folding soft top with side curtains, and minimal trim throughout. Its modest price of $2,995 made it accessible to enthusiasts seeking a car that was equally at home on winding back roads or at the track. Celebrated for its agile handling, precise steering, and lively performance, the Speedster quickly became a favorite in the United States and beyond, attracting club racers and high-profile owners alike, while firmly establishing Porsche's reputation in the U.S. market.

By the Speedster's final year of production in 1958, Porsche had refined the model with a new transmission, ZF steering box, and a high-bow soft top, resulting in the highly desirable "T2" Speedster. With few built and even fewer surviving today, these final cars are widely regarded as the most driver-friendly and collectible of the series and this example, chassis number 84532, offers compelling proof. Its factory-supplied Kardex warranty card reveals this 356 A Speedster was imported by Max Hoffman in February 1958 finished in '5706 B' signifying Silver Metallic paint over Black upholstery. Comfortable coupe seats are listed as the singular option. The Kardex further reveals the serial numbers for its 1,600-cc "normal" engine (68621) and type 644 dual-mount four-speed manual transmission (18297)-the numbers-matching units it retains to this day, nearly 70 years after production!

In 1972, the Speedster was listed for sale in the April issue of the Porsche Club of America's Panorama by Lysle Turnbeaugh of Stockton, California for $2,250. The ad notes the Speedster was finished in Burgundy and fitted with a 1600 Super engine. Later the car was owned by Gene Manganiello of Escondido, with registrations recording that by 1988 the car was in the hands of racer and Porsche and Ferrari collector Dr. Steve Thein. Dr. Thein revealed in Forza magazine, during a discussion of the restoration of his 330 GTS, that he wanted it "to look good and be a nice driver. 'I don't have any interest in cleaning the car with Q-Tips and all that-I gave that up with my Speedster long ago.'" The Speedster, now restored in black by Rod Emory, was clearly a special example to the San Diegan that a 1989 inspection report noted was "an original California car and has very low original mileage" and fit with a 912 flat-four built by Dieter's. While in his ownership, materials with the car, reference the Speedster was reunited with its original engine located by the doctor in Pomona, California and later took part in Stephen Heinrich's special 2004 Speedster Fest held at the Quail Lodge and the Copperstate 1000 among other events.

In 2016, Dr. Thein parted ways with his beloved Speedster after 27 years. Beginning that year, 160 pages of invoices reveal the Speedster underwent a photo-documented comprehensive restoration by Grand Prix Classics of La Jolla, California. Returning chassis number 84532 closer to its original factory-delivered condition, over the next five years and culminating in 2021, the chassis was fully stripped with the list of numerous suppliers reading like a who's who of the Southern California Porsche restoration community.

The 1,600-cc flat-four was sent to John Willhoit in Long Beach for a rebuild with uprated performance parts. The corresponding invoice and dyno sheet on file report 110 hp at 5,400 rpm. The car was stripped to bare metal by Euro Sport in San Diego. 356 Carburetor Rescue rebuilt the Zeniths and Palo Alto Speedometer restored the Speedster's VDO gauges. Stoddard and International Mercantile supplied parts as did Victor Miles who contributed hard to find trim pieces, and the German company, Kabelkonfektion Wocheslander supplied a new wiring harness. By 2020, Euro Sport had completed paint with assembly commencing that year and completion in June of 2021 after a thorough round of testing. Following completion, the Speedster joined its new owner in the northeast U.S.-likely the first time the Speedster had left the southwest since delivery via Max Hoffman in 1958!

Today, the Speedster shows just 280 miles since restoration and remains resplendent in Silver Metallic with aluminum side spears, and chrome wheels. The green leather interior is fitted with timeless Speedster bucket seats, and square-weave carpeting bound in green trim capped by a correct black tonneau cover and black soft top. Lauded for their design, craftsmanship, and performance, the 356 Speedster remains one of the most recognizable and celebrated sports cars in Porsche's early history and this example fully restored by many of the luminaries in the business is primed for further enjoyment whether on the road or concours lawn.