Vehicle Description
1958 Porsche 356 Speedster
VIN: 84251
Purchased new by a resident of Woodside, CA in 1958, and he would
go on to own the car for the next 32 years. In 1973 he would drive
the car to his property in Ukiah, CA and put the car in storage
until its sale in 1990. The second owner from San Anselmo, CA (a
personal friend of Bruce Canepa since the 1980s) would take the car
in 1992 to renown 356 restorer, Tim Goodrich of Grants Pass,
Oregon, for a complete, concours level restoration.
Tim Goodrich only restored 12 Speedsters during his illustrious
career. Six of them would go to the Porsche family, and are on
display at the factory. The other six went to private owners. This
car is the last Speedster Goodrich would restore before he retired.
What sets his restorations apart is his attention to factory
details, reproducing even the smallest aspect of a Speedster - just
as it left the Porsche factory.
The car was stripped down to its tub and restored from the
ground-up. The original engine and transmission were rebuilt. No
expense was spared, and the owner even flew out master upholsterer,
Don Fowler, from Connecticut to do the interior and top. The result
was a perfect restoration of a very original and well preserved
Speedster.
The car has been kept in a climate-controlled garage ever since the
restoration was completed in 1995. It has been out only few times
for the occasional show, and short drive to the gas station for
fresh fuel. It returned to Goodrich's shop about 6 years ago for
maintenance and freshening. The owner estimates the car has only
covered 20 miles in the past 20 years, and thanks to its limited
use and excellent care the Speedster's restoration presents as if
were done yesterday.