1959 Porsche 356A Cabriolet

Lot details
Registration No: 68 UMC
Chassis No: 151658
Mot Expiry: None

Under the stewardship of son Ferry, the 'Professor Ferdinand Porsche Bureau of Design' began work on its first post-WW2 car in 1948. Known as Project 356, the lightweight machine featured an advanced spaceframe chassis and mid-mounted powerplant. Although, victorious first time out (in the 1100cc class of the Innsbruck city race), it was too radical to become a production reality. Reconfigured around a platform chassis (complete with rear-mounted engine), it was duly homologated by the state government of Kärnten in Austria on June 8th 1948. Initially built at Gmund, the transfer of production to Zuffenhausen in 1950 facilitated a switch from hand-beaten aluminium to pressed-steel bodywork. Thanks to efficient aerodynamics, all-round independent torsion-bar suspension and fine build quality, the Porsche quickly established itself as a worthy competition car achieving success in such top events as the Mille Miglia, Le Mans 24-hours, Targa Florio and Carrera Panamericana, as well as countless other races and rallies around the world.

Combining the purer shape of its predecessors with a curved windscreen, flat-sided sills and more rounded wheelarches, the 356A is widely held to be the best looking derivative of the 356 dynasty. Launched at the September 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, it was produced in two distinct phases: T1 and T2. Exotic Carrera variants apart, the updated model was powered by a choice of 1300cc or 1600cc air-cooled four-cylinder engines (in 'Normal' or 'Super' tune) allied to all-synchromesh four-speed manual transmission. Riding on smaller 15-inch wheels but boasting greater suspension travel plus more effective hydraulic drum brakes, the Porsche could be hand in Coupe, Cabriolet or Speedster guises. Unveiled during the September 1957 Frankfurt Motor Show, the T2 featured improved ZF worm and peg steering, more enveloping seats and exhausts that exited via its rear bumper over-riders. Only in production for two seasons, just 2,475 356A T2 Cabriolets are thought to have rolled off the Zuffenhausen assembly line (though, the vast majority were to left-hand drive specification).

Somewhat down at heel by the time it entered the current family ownership on 16th July 1978, this particular example was treated to extensive restoration work during the mid 1990s. Entrusted to B.M.S. Motors of Burnt Oak, Edgware, its bodyshell was apparently shotblasted and repaired as necessary before being resprayed and undersealed. Thereafter various typed schedules and photographs on file suggest that the Porsche had attention paid to its transmission (clutch cable, gearbox mounts), brakes (master cylinder, hoses, pipes, wheel cylinders), suspension (anti-roll bar brackets, bump stops, front link pins, Spax adjustable shock absorbers), wheel bearings and wiring. Further benefiting from an interior re-trim as well as a new windscreen and numerous fixtures and fittings, the 356A Cabriolet was fitted with an overhauled 1300cc (Type 506/2) engine in place of its original 1600cc unit.

The frustratingly incomplete refurbishment is understood to have cost over £13,000 (a figure which becomes more impressive when the labour rate of £10 per hour or less is factored in). Reputedly brought near to MOT standard, the Cabriolet was put into dry storage whilst still lacking a hood, bumpers and sundry other items. Immobile for the past fifteen years or so, it now requires careful recommissioning not to mention finishing off. The interior trim looks as if it would clean up well and the upper bodywork appears pretty sound but the paintwork has suffered from microblistering. A potentially rewarding project, this rare and desirable Porsche 356A Cabriolet is offered for sale with V5 Registration Document, restoration photos and sundry paperwork.

PLEASE NOTE: The gentleman who is currently storing the Porsche believes that he has found its bumpers and these will be brought to the Museum for inspection.