1957 Porsche 356A Speedster

1957 Porsche 356A Speedster

This 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster is a 1600 Normal that was completed on September 12th, 1957, before being delivered to the US via Hoffman Motor Car Company of New York. The car was purchased by it’s second owner in the 1960’s and we purchased it partially assembled in 2002.  Final assembly work was completed in 2011. The project consisted of completing assembly of the original rebuilt engine and restoring and installing all body trim. The red leatherette interior was installed in the by Autos International in Escondido, CA. Features include four-wheel drum brakes, chromed 15″ wheels with baby moon hubcaps, a separate set of date correct steel wheels, a black soft top with matching side curtains, a full tonneau cover, and fixed-back bucket seats with lap belts.  The attractive black paint was recently applied in preparation for sale.  This 356A Speedster shows just 3,625 miles since the refurbishment and is offered with a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, service records, and a clean California title.

Paint and Body

In 2021, the Reutter body was stripped and refinished in attractive black by Rodz Body Shop of San Carlos, California. Windshield chrome and other brightwork were refurbished by Victor Miles, and reassembly was completed in 2011. The last three digits of the chassis number are stamped on the front hood hinge, engine lid, and both doors.  A black soft top is accompanied by matching side curtains and a full tonneau cover. Exterior features include body-colored bumpers with polished overriders, chromed overrider bars, gold badging, a blunt-nose hood handle, vintage Marchal headlights under chrome grilles, and teardrop taillights.

Interior

The cabin features fixed-back bucket seats that were reupholstered in red leatherette by Autos International of Escondido, California. Matching upholstery trims the door panels, rear cushion, and dashboard, while replacement red square-weave carpets were installed over the sills, seatbacks, and floors, which are protected by black rubber mats.  The restored ivory-colored steering wheel sits ahead of a body-colored dashboard housing a green-letter VDO 6k-rpm tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and an oil temperature gauge. The instrumentation was rebuilt by North Hollywood Speedometer. The five-digit mechanical odometer was reset during the refurbishment and currently shows 3,625 miles, which is the mileage driven since it’s reassembly.

Wheels and Brakes

The chrome 15″ x 4.5″ steel wheels include correct chrome baby moon hubcaps.  Tires are 165HR15 Vredestein Sprint Classic radials. Koni shocks are fitted at all four corners.  Stopping power is provided by four-wheel drum brakes that have been recently adjusted.  A wheel alignment was completed at 36 miles.

Mechanicals

The numbers matching 1.6-liter Normal flat-four was rebuilt approximately 3600 miles ago, and features Mahle super pistons and a super camshaft. The original engine case displays stamping P*66908*, which matches the number on the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. All three case pieces are original and numbers matching.  The oil was changed, and the valves were adjusted in preparation for sale.  A period correct Abarth four tip muffler is installed and sounds great.  Power is sent to the rear wheels through a smooth shifting four-speed type 716 transaxle. 

Documentation

Records back to 1974 are included in the sale.  The Certificate of Authenticity lists the factory color of Ivory and shows a production completion date of September 1957.  Photos taken during the recent repaint are displayed in the gallery, as well as documentation of the engine rebuild.

Photos