For Sale: 1956 Porsche 356A in Costa Mesa, California

1956 Porsche 356A Polo 2.7-liter Outlaw Sunroof Coupe

• VIN 55399
• Polo 2.7-liter flat-four - Producing 225 horsepower
• 911 trailing arms with 901 transmission
• SC disc brakes
• Multi-stage oil cooling system
• Factory V Sunroof

An extraordinary world-class 356A GT Outlaw performance touring coupe, blending period inspiration with modern capability and an extraordinary level of detail. Combining early Pre-A character with later model 911 engineering. Finished in GT Carrera Silver with a custom black Italian leather interior. This is a Pre-1957 that is eligible to enjoy the Colorado Grand, Copper State, Ramshorn, and/or California Mille!

This was an early 1956 build, and the 356 spent the first chapter of its life in Chicago, Illinois, before being placed into long-term storage. It was later acquired by a Dutch enthusiast, shipped to Europe, and restored, finished in Black with Red upholstery, and powered by a 912 engine. The current owner purchased this 356 in 2018 and shipped it to Southern California. It was enjoyed for several years before a vision took shape: an Outlaw restoration centered on lightweight construction, exceptional craftsmanship, bespoke details, and significant performance, powered by a 2.7-liter Polo engine by Dean Polopolus.

The body was stripped to steel, prepped, and painted in Glasurit GT Carrera Silver by East Auto Body, a noted Porsche paint shop in Orange County, California. The chassis and body were stiffened and reinforced to accommodate the enhanced performance. The manual sunroof was converted from a hand-pull operation to an electric mechanism with a billet surround release lever. Exterior details were carefully selected and fabricated to create the appearance of a factory-built high-performance 356 that Porsche might have developed. Rare early H1 headlights, one set of approximately 50 sets produced for the 356, were sourced from noted lighting expert John Audette, and vintage Marchal driving lights with yellow bulbs further enhance the 356's purposeful presentation. The lighting has been upgraded internally to LED.

Every exterior detail reflects a deliberate blend of Porsche heritage and execution. The front and rear indicator lights are housed in machined billet surrounds designed to appear factory-correct at first glance, with matching custom horn grilles for visual symmetry. A 1953 Pre-A hood pull was installed, while the one-off custom rear grill was machined from a solid plate and mechanically assembled. Integrated into the grill is a Le Mans-era pit light, repurposed with the higher section serving as a third brake light and the lower section as a reverse light. One-off custom HRBB wheels designed by Chris Coddington feature a hand-brushed finish and drilled "speed hole" detailing, with a full-size fifth wheel in the front trunk. Original 356A wind wings, custom-machined door handles, and carefully considered trim complete the exterior presentation.

The interior is stunning and executed to a very high standard. A mohair headliner and German square-weave carpeting were installed, and custom sport seats have been trimmed in Italian leather and are heated. A four-point racing harness and a hand-stitched, padded roll bar in matching leather were installed. The rear seat delete houses dual storage compartments: one for loose items and the other concealing the high-performance audio system. The stereo system includes Bluetooth connectivity, an amplifier, a hidden subwoofer, front and rear speakers, and a center-channel speaker integrated into the dash.

The dashboard has been transformed to an early 356 Pre-A dash finished in GT Silver, replacing the later padded arrangement and giving the cockpit a classic competition appearance. North Hollywood Speedometer created a custom gauge package, centered around a New Old Stock speedometer. Complementary gauges were restored and configured to match, including a multi-gauge display featuring fuel level, oil level, oil pressure, and oil temperature. On the driver's side a vintage Nardi steering wheel with a custom Porsche horn button, a one-off external temperature gauge with integrated analog clock and on the navigator's side, a custom rally clock paired with three exceptional vintage Heuers mounted on the dash, including a Sebring split timer, Monte Carlo, and Four Number Master Timer, to complete the rally-inspired dash.

The front trunk features a restored factory 80-liter fuel tank finished in silver with a through-the-hood center-fill, and a full-size spare wheel. In the engine compartment, the centerpiece is a 2.7-liter flat-four engine built by Dean Polopolus, often described as a four-cylinder 911 engine. Built with custom-machined heads for improved heat transfer, Pauter titanium rods, and a lightened flywheel, the engine reportedly produces over 225 horsepower at the spindle. Cooling is managed through a comprehensive oil system including a 911-style onboard oil cooler and fan, an additional Setrab cooler in the engine bay, and dual front passive coolers fed through full-length oil lines, providing nearly 12 quarts of total oil capacity.

Power is delivered through a 901 four-speed gearbox with custom gearing selected for both road use and spirited driving. Braking has been upgraded to later-model 356SC components, while the suspension incorporates 911 rear trailing arms and custom-adjustable elements to optimize tracking and handling. A balsa-style shift knob, inspired by Porsche's great competition cars, controls the gearbox, while a center-pull handbrake replaces the original under-dash arrangement for improved function and control.

The result is a 356A Outlaw like no other with exceptional depth, vision, and craftsmanship. Blending early 356 Pre-A design, Carrera GT inspiration, bespoke coach-built details, and a Polo-powered 911 performance. This 1956 Porsche 356A 2.7L Polo Outlaw Sunroof Coupe represents a rare opportunity to acquire a fully sorted, no-compromise performance 356 built to an extraordinary standard.